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THE RABBIT AND THE BRIARPATCH

THERE ONCE WAS A RABBIT AND A FOX. THE FOX HAD BEEN WATCHING
THE RABBIT FOR A LONG TIME BUT THE RABBIT WAS TOO FAST FOR THE
FOX. ONE DAY, THE FOX DECIDED HE WOULD TRY TO TRICK THE RABBIT.
HE FINALLY CAUGHT THE RABBIT. THE RABBIT CRIED "OH PLEASE FOX
YOU'VE GOT ME, ALL I ASK IS THAT YOU DON'T THROW ME IN THE
BRIARPATCH." BUT THE FOX WASN'T SATISFIED. HE WANTED TO TORTURE
THE POOR RABBIT SO HE THREW THE RABBIT IN THE BRIARPATCH
ANYWAY. FORTUNATELY, THE RABBIT' HAIRS REPELLED THE PATCH AND
RAN AWAY. THE FOX RAN AFTER HIM AND GOT CAUGHT IN THE PATCH AND
NEVER WAS FREE AGAIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

Date learned: 11-00-1987

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YOUTHFUL EXPERIENCE IN ITALY

ONE DARK, STORMY EVENING A YOUNG MAN NAMED LUIGI DELUCA
WAS RETURNING FROM THE MARKET TO HIS HOME IN SICILY.
HE WAS RIDING ON A DONKEY, AND WHEN THEY APPROACHED A
BRIDGE THE DONKEY REFUSED TO STEP ONTO IT. LUIGI THEN
DISMOUNTED THE DONKEY AND BEGAN TO SMACK IT TO TRY TO
GET THE DONKEY TO CONTINUE THE JOURNEY. BUT, NO MATTER
HOW PERSISTENT LUIGI WAS, THE DONKEY STILL REFUSED TO
BUDGE. FINALLY, LUIGI LOOKED UP AND SAW A DARK, EVIL
FORM STANDING IN THE CENTER OF THE BRIDGE. HE WAS
THANKFUL FOR THE DONKEY'S WISDOM AND RETURNED HOME
VIA ANOTHER ROUTE.

Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO CARMELLA SPINEK BY HER FATHER
LUIGI. HE CLAIMED THIS EVENT TOOK PLACE WHEN HE WAS
A BOY IN ITALY. THE INFORMANT SAID HER FATHER SPOKE
OF IT OFTEN AND COMMENTED ON THE DONKEY'S WISDOM.

Where learned: SICILY

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

Date learned: 00-00-1945

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"Once a dog from a meat market stole a piece of meat and began to
run. On the road, he encountered a small bridge. As he looked down
into the water he saw a larger piece of meat. (Unknown to him, it was
just a reflection of the meat he had in his mouth.) As he opened his
mouth to grab the 'larger piece of meat,' he lost the piece he had.
Moral: Whoever wants more than he or she has loses the little he or
she does have."

Submitter comment: The moral loses much in the translation.

Where learned: GREECE

Keyword(s): Lesson ; Story

James Callow Keyword(s): animal fable

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

Date learned: 00001950CA

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The Sun and the Wind

The Wind decided one day that he was the strongest creature
in the sky. As soon as the Sun came out that day, he said, "My
friend the Sun, let's have a contest to see who is stronger?"
This idea did not seem very good to the kindly Sun, who had only
just come out, "If you please, Wind, I would just as soon not do
that. I have a long day ahead of me to spread my sunshine." I
believe you know I am stronger than you. I will find someone
else to play this game with me." At this the Sun became a bit
annoyed with the Wind and decided after all that he would be
willing to try his strength. "How shall we play our game?" said
the Sun. "I know," said the Wind. "There's a traveler down
below who is wearing a heavy coat. Let's see who can get that
coat off the traveler's back. I'll go first." The Wind blew as
hard as he could. But whenever the Wind blew, the traveler
wrapped his coat tighter and tighter about him. Finally the Wind
could blow no more. Then the Sun turned on his kindly rays and
warmed the traveler up until the man had no need for his coat.
Soon enough, the man took off his coat and carried it on his arm.
"You win," said the Wind, who had learned a Lesson. KINDLY
ACTIONS CAN DO MORE THAN FORCE.

Submitter comment: My informant remembers reading this fable in Aesop.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Sun
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

Date learned: 11-00-1991

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The Ant and the Grasshopper

All day long all through the warm days of summer, a green
grasshopper went happily about. Whenever the grasshopper was
thirsty, he would sip nectar from any plant he saw. One
afternoon, as the grasshopper was leaping from flower to flower,
he saw beneath him a little black ant struggling to carry a fat
leaf bigger than himself. "Little friend," said the grasshopper,
"What are you doing down there?" "Why, I am carrying this leaf
off to my nest. I must fill my nest with food to last through
winter." "Winter?" said the grasshopper. "Who cares about
winter? Why don't you climb up to this flower and enjoy its
sweet nectar? Winter will take care of itself." "That isn't the
way things work in this world," said the ant. "Winter will be
here soon. The flowers will be gone, and there will be nothing
to eat." "Well, suit yourself," said the grasshopper. And off
he went, singing happily and having no cares at all. The ant
returned to carry each leaf, but he did not mind. He knew he
would have enough to last the winter. Soon the cold weather
came. The ant was snug in his
nest with plenty of food to eat. The grasshopper? He had
nothing to eat and soon was no more. A WISE PERSON KNOWS THAT
SUMMER DOES NOT LAST FOREVER.

Submitter comment: My informant remembers reading this fable in Aesop.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Keyword(s): Nectar = A sweet liquid secreted by plants

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale
BELIEF -- Measure of time Winter

Date learned: 11-00-1991

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BELIEF

FALSE BELIEF: THAT WHEN IN DANGER, YOUNG SNAKES GO INTO
THEIR MOTHER'S MOUTH. UNTRUE--SNAKES ARE ON THEIR
OWN WHEN THEY ARE BORN.

Where learned: NATURE STUDY

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

Date learned: 04-19-1969

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BELIEF: MUDSNAKE (HOOKSNAKE)

IT IS BELIEVED THAT THIS SNAKE PUTS ITSELF
INTO HOOK AND CHASES ITS VICTIM, JABBING AT
YOU WITH TAIL. FALSE BELIEF.

Where learned: NATURE STUDY

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

Date learned: 04-19-1969

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BELIEF: SNAKES

BELIEF THAT THE EASTERN COACHWHIP SNAKE STANDS
ON ITS HEAD AND BEATS YOU TO DEATH. FALSE.

Where learned: NATURE STUDY CLASS ; NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

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DINNER PARTY

A WOMAN WAS GOING TO GIVE A DINNER PARTY FOR HER
FRIENDS. HER CAT GOT INTO THE CASSEROLE AND ATE
SOME. THE WOMAN DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO FIX ANYTHING
ELSE, SO SHE JUST SCRAPED OFF THE AREA HE HAD
GOTTEN INTO. THE DINNER PARTY WENT SMOOTHLY
UNTIL THE WOMAN CAME BACK INTO THE KITCHEN FOR
SOMETHING AND FOUND HER CAT DEAD. SHE RUSHED HER
FRIENDS TO THE HOSPITAL TO PUMP THEIR STOMACHS--
SHE LATER FOUND OUT THE CAT HAD EATEN SOME POISON.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; PEABODY CAFETERIA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

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THERE WAS THIS DEAN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
WHO HAD THIS DOG WHO KEPT ANNOYING HER AS SHE WAS
GETTING READY TO GIVE A DINNER PARTY. SO TO QUIET
HIM SOME, SHE GAVE HIM SOME OF THE CASSEROLE FOR
THAT NIGHT'S PARTY. THE GUESTS ARRIVED AND THE
DINNER ALMOST FINISHED BEING EATEN, WHEN THE
DEAN'S MAID CAME IN AND WHISPERED TO HER THAT
THE DOG HAD DIED.
WELL, THE DEAN TOLD HER GUESTS AND RUSHED THEM
DOWN TO THE HOSPITAL TO HAVE THEIR STOMACHS
PUMPED.
THE DOG, SHE LATER FOUND OUT, HAD BEEN RUN OVER.

Where learned: TALKING ABOUT SCHOOL ; NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman

Date learned: 04-20-1969

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BEAR

THIS TOOK PLACE IN THE SMOKEY MOUNTAINS. A GIRL
WEARING HER LONG HAIR IN PIGTAILS, WAS SLEEPING
OUT IN HER SLEEPING BAG ONE NIGHT. IN THE
MORNING, WHEN SHE AWOKE, ONE OF HER PIGTAILS HAD
BEEN CHEWED OFF TO EAR LEVEL.

Submitter comment: HALF-SAID IN BELIEF, BUT STILL INCREDULOUS TO
HAVE HAPPENED

Where learned: NATURE STUDY CLASS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

Date learned: 05-03-1969

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TINY TOM

TINY TOM WAS SENT TO A CHILDLESS COUPLE WHO LIVED IN A SMALL TOWN
IN ITALY. THE CHILD WAS SENT BECAUSE THE MAMA PRAYED TO THE
VIRGIN FOR A CHILD. HE CAME IN A PEA POD.
TOM NEVER GREW BIGGER THAN A THUMBNAIL, EVEN AFTER HE WAS SEVEN
YEARS OLD. ONE DAY HIS MAMA WAS BAKING AND TOM WAS SITTING ON
THE WINDOW SILL. HIS FATHER'S COW WAS SITTING OUTSIDE THE WINDOW.
HIS MAMA SNEEZED AND BLEW TOM OUT THE WINDOW AND HE FELL ON THE
COW'S TONGUE. TINY TOM SLIPPED DOWN THE TONGUE AND INTO THE COW'S
STOMACH.
IT WAS DARK INSIDE AND TOM WAS FRIGHTENED. HE CALLED OUT TO HIS
MAMA BUT SHE DID NOT HEAR HIM. WHEN HIS PAPA CAME HOME FOR DINNER
FROM THE FIELDS, TOM'S MAMA DISCOVERED THAT TOM WAS NOWHERE TO BE
FOUND. THEY FRANTICALLY SEARCHED EVERYWHERE, BUT TOM COULD NOT BE
FOUND ANYWHERE.
FOR TWO DAYS TOM'S PAPA AND MAMA LOOKED EVERYWHERE. THEY WERE
JUST TOO WORRIED OVER TOM TO WORK. THEY HAD NOT EVEN MILKED THEIR
COW WHO GROANED IN PAIN. BUT AFTER THAT MUCH TIME, PAPA AND MAMA
WERE READY TO GIVE UP.
THE COW KEPT MAKING SO MUCH NOISE THAT MAMA REALIZED SHE HAD NOT
BEEN MILKED. SO PAPA MILKED THE COW. WHILE HE WAS MILKING THE
COW, PAPA HEARD, "HELP! MAMA, PAPA! HELP!"
PAPA, HEARING THIS, LOOKED DOWN AND BY GOLLY, THERE WAS TOM
FLOATING ON A LEAF THAT HAD FALLEN INTO THE BUCKET OF MILK.
TOM'S PAPA SWOOPED HIM UP AND CARRIED HIM LOVINGLY TO THE HOUSE.
WHEN MAMA SAW TOM, SHE ALMOST CRIED.
ALL THREE HAD A PARTY THAT NIGHT AND FROM THEN ON, WHENEVER TOM
SAT ON THE WINDOW SILL, HIS MAMA TIED A THREAD AROUND HIM AND
ANCHORED HIM DOWN SO THAT IF HE FELL HE COULD CLIMB BACK UP THE
THREAD. FROM THEN ON TINY TOM, HIS MAMA, AND PAPA LIVED HAPPILY
EVER AFTER.

Submitter comment: HE HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER AND SHE LEARNED THE STORY FROM
ITALY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

Date learned: 10-25-1967

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TINY TOM

TINY TOM WAS SENT TO A CHILDLESS COUPLE WHO LIVED IN A SMALL TOWN
IN ITALY. THE CHILD WAS SENT BECAUSE THE MAMA PRAYED TO THE
VIRGIN FOR A CHILD. HE CAME IN A PEA POD.
TOM NEVER GREW BIGGER THAN A THUMBNAIL, EVEN AFTER HE WAS SEVEN
YEARS OLD. ONE DAY HIS MAMA WAS BAKING AND TOM WAS SITTING ON
THE WINDOW SILL. HIS FATHER'S COW WAS SITTING OUTSIDE THE WINDOW.
HIS MAMA SNEEZED AND BLEW TOM OUT THE WINDOW AND HE FELL ON THE
COW'S TONGUE. TINY TOM SLIPPED DOWN THE TONGUE AND INTO THE COW'S
STOMACH.
IT WAS DARK INSIDE AND TOM WAS FRIGHTENED. HE CALLED OUT TO HIS
MAMA BUT SHE DID NOT HEAR HIM. WHEN HIS PAPA CAME HOME FOR DINNER
FROM THE FIELDS, TOM'S MAMA DISCOVERED THAT TOM WAS NOWHERE TO BE
FOUND. THEY FRANTICALLY SEARCHED EVERYWHERE, BUT TOM COULD NOT BE
FOUND ANYWHERE.
FOR TWO DAYS TOM'S PAPA AND MAMA LOOKED EVERYWHERE. THEY WERE
JUST TOO WORRIED OVER TOM TO WORK. THEY HAD NOT EVEN MILKED THEIR
COW WHO GROANED IN PAIN. BUT AFTER THAT MUCH TIME, PAPA AND MAMA
WERE READY TO GIVE UP.
THE COW KEPT MAKING SO MUCH NOISE THAT MAMA REALIZED SHE HAD NOT
BEEN MILKED. SO PAPA MILKED THE COW. WHILE HE WAS MILKING THE
COW, PAPA HEARD, "HELP! MAMA, PAPA! HELP!"
PAPA, HEARING THIS, LOOKED DOWN AND BY GOLLY, THERE WAS TOM
FLOATING ON A LEAF THAT HAD FALLEN INTO THE BUCKET OF MILK.
TOM'S PAPA SWOOPED HIM UP AND CARRIED HIM LOVINGLY TO THE HOUSE.
WHEN MAMA SAW TOM, SHE ALMOST CRIED.
ALL THREE HAD A PARTY THAT NIGHT AND FROM THEN ON, WHENEVER TOM
SAT ON THE WINDOW SILL, HIS MAMA TIED A THREAD AROUND HIM AND
ANCHORED HIM DOWN SO THAT IF HE FELL HE COULD CLIMB BACK UP THE
THREAD. FROM THEN ON TINY TOM, HIS MAMA, AND PAPA LIVED HAPPILY
EVER AFTER.

Submitter comment: HE HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER AND SHE LEARNED THE STORY FROM
ITALY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

Date learned: 10-25-1967

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Little Rabbit Foo Foo/Hopping through the forest/picking up the field mice and bopping them on the head.
 Then down came the good fairy and she said/Little rabbit Foo Foo I don't want to see you picking up those field mice and bopping them on the head/I'm going to give you three more chances and if you continue I'm going to turn you into a GOON.

Same except for 2 then 1 then no more chances [sic].

Now I'm going to turn you into a GOON..."poof!"

Moral: Hare today, Goon tomorrow.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs and BN added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Submission Card was located in a pile marked To Be Classified.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; Glenna, Frank

Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; animal fable ; Fable ; Fairy ; Moral ; Rabbit ; THE RABBIT THAT WAS CHANGED INTO A GOON

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

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Bunbuku Chagama

There lived an old man and an old woman in the small village of Japan. One day, the old man caught a racoon and hung it from the ceiling to make racoon soup. But the grandmother who was very sympathetic and warm-hearted took the rope off the racoon and helped it. A few days after, the racoon visited her and walked a tight rope taking the form of a kettle and danced very well to entertain her. It is said that he wanted to return her kindness.

 

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.
Informant probably first learned this in Hiroshima City, Japan.

 

Where learned: JAPAN ; TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; HIROSHIMA CITY

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale

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