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THE DEVIL ON SEYBURN
AS A LITTLE GIRL THE INFORMANT LIVED ON SEYBURN IN DETROIT. ON
ONE OF THE CORNERS OF SEYBURN THERE WAS A HOUSE WHICH HAD BEEN
POSSESSED BY THE DEVIL. WHEN THE PRIEST DROVE THE DEVIL FROM THE
HOUSE, HE CHASED IT INTO THE GARAGE. THE DEVIL RAN ACROSS THE
FLOOR UP THE WALL AND HALF WAY ACROSS THE CEILING BEFORE LEAVING.
THERE ARE IMPRINTS OF HIS FOOT IN THE CEMENT FLOOR OF THE GARAGE.
ON THE WALL AND ON THE CEILING THERE ARE HAND AND BELLY PRINTS.
THESE PRINTS CANNOT BE REMOVED WITH PAINT OR BY RECEMENTING THE
FLOOR. THEY ALWAYS REAPPEAR. THE INFORMANT HAS SEEN THE PRINTS
HERSELF.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
TOOTH
WHEN I WAS A KID, WHEN A TOOTH CAME OUT, I'D PUT IT IN A SUNDAY
ENVELOPE. THEN I'D TAKE A NAP AND THE TOOTH FAIRY WOULD LEAVE
COOKIES ON THE KITCHEN TABLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue |
LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO
( SONG ) LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO RUNNIN' THROUGH THE FOREST
SCOOPIN' UP THE FIELD MICE AND HITTIN' THEM OVER THE HEAD.
( SPOKEN ) AND ALONG COME THE GOOD FAIRY...AND SHE SAID,
" LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO, I'LL GIVE YOU 3 CHANCES,
( SUNG ) I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU RUNNIN' THROUGH THE FOREST, SCOOPIN'
UP THE FIELD MICE AND HITTIN' THEM OVER THE HEAD--AND--
IF YOU DON'T DO WHAT I TELL YOU, I'LL TURN YOU INTO A GOON " .
BUT THE NEXT DAY--
(SUNG) LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO WAS RUNNIN' THROUGH THE FOREST,
SCOOPIN' UP THE FIELD MICE AND HITTIN' THEM OVER THE HEAD.
( SPOKEN ) AND ALONG CAME THE GOOD FAIRY...AND SHE SAID,
" LITTLE RABBIT FOO-FOO, I'LL GIVE YOU 2 CHANCES, ETC.
BUT THE NEXT DAY--
( REPEATED, BUT NOW WITH ONLY 1 CHANCE )
( SPOKEN ) FOO-FOO BLEW HIS CHANCES, SO THE FAIRY TURNED HIM INTO A
GOON, AND
NARRATOR 1 " DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE MORAL IS?"
NARRATOR 2 " I SURE DO, "
( TOGETHER IN UNISON ) " HARE TODAY, GOON TOMORROW. "
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SANG THIS SONG FOR ME BY HERSELF, BUT IT ACTUALLY SHOULD
BE DONE WITH TWO PEOPLE, ONE ACTING AS NARRATOR AND THE OTHER AS
THE GOOD FAIRY. THE TUNE SHOULD BE SUNG TO THIS MELODY:
" G-G-G-A-B ( REST ) B ( REST ) - A-G-A-B-G-D
GGG-A-B-B-A-G-A-B-G " ( GUITAR NOTES )
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; BRUNVAND C30 ; CANTE FABLE ; PUN ; SHAGGY DOG CANTE FABLE ; THE RABBIT THAT WAS CHANGED INTO A GOON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 12-02-1971
THE FAIRY OF DEATH
IN IRELAND THE BELIEF IN THE BLACK FAIRY OR THE FAIRY OF DEATH WAS
POPULAR YEARS AGO. IT WAS BELIEVED THAT IF SOMEONE
SAW A LADY COMPLETELY DRESSED IN BLACK THAT IN THREE DAYS
SOMEONE WOULD DIE. THIS BELIEF WAS FULFILLED ONE DAY AS A MAN CAME
RUNNING INTO A SALON EXCLAIMING THAT HE HAD JUST SEEN THE
BLACK FAIRY. THREE DAYS LATER THIS MAN DIED.
Submitter comment: TOLD BY MY GRANDFATHER.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL
Keyword(s): SALOON
| Subject headings: | Observation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
IRISH LEPRECHAUN BELIEF
THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO MY GRANDPA WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG MAN IN
IRELAND BEFORE HE CAME TO AMERICA. HE WAS RETURNING FROM THE FIELD
TO HIS BOAT. THERE WAS A LEPRECHAUN ON HIS BOAT TRYING TO MAKE OFF
WITH IT. HE PULLED ON THE ROPE TO THE BOAT BUT THE LEPRECHAUN PULLE
ON THE OTHER END. MY GRANDPA FELL INTO THE WATER. HE HAD TO WALK
ALL THE WAY AROUND THE BAY BACK TO TOWN.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A STORY TOLD TO ME BY MY GRANDFATHER IN PHILADELPHIA WHEN I
WAS A KID. THE POPULAR FAMILY EXPLANATION IS THIS STORY WAS MADE UP
TO COVER THE LOSS OF A BOAT WHEN MY GRANDFATHER WAS DRUNK, BUT I
BELIEVE IT IS THE TRUTH.
MY GRANDFATHER DIED IN 1975 ONE DAY SHORT OF HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY. MY
GRANDPA TOLD ME THIS STORY WHEN I WAS ABOUT TEN YEARS OLD. HIS
SPEECH WASN'T VERY GOOD BUT I REMEMBER THE STORY CLEARLY. WHEN HE
TOLD ME HIS STORY IT SEEMED IMPORTANT TO HIM THAT I BELIEVED IT. NO
ONE ELSE DID AND THEY TOLD ME SO AFTER THE STORY WAS FINISHED. HE
JUST LAUGHED.
Where learned: IRELAND ; COUNTY DONEGAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
IRISH FAIRY STORY
MY GRANDFATHER TOLD US THIS STORY ONCE ABOUT HOW WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG
MAN HE WAS CAUGHT IN A FAIRIE-RING. HE WAS IN THIS FIELD WHICH WAS
ENCLOSED BY A CIRCULAR WALL. WHEN HE WAS FINISHED WORK FOR THE DAY
HE WALKED TO THE GATE BUT THERE WAS A FAIRIE ON IT AND IT WOULDN'T
LET HIM OUT. A FAIRIE IS A LITTLE GHOST. HE RAN TO ANOTHER GATE BU
THERE WAS A FAIRIE ON THAT ONE TOO. HE WALKED AROUND THE FIELD FOR
DAYS BEFORE HE GOT OUT. YOU CALL THIS A FAIRIE-RING.
Submitter comment:
TOLD BY MY GREATGRANDFATHER TO MY MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS FIVE YEARS OLD
EVERY NIGHT HE WOULD TELL STORIES. THE 1892 DATE IS ABOUT THE TIME
GRANDFATHER O'BRIEN WAS CAUGHT IN THE FAIRIE-RING, HE TOLD THE STORY
TO MY MOTHER IN 1932. MY MOTHER LIVED IN BUNCLODY, COUNTY WEXFORD,
IRELAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
James Callow Keyword(s): FAIRY RING
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 00-00-1892 ; 00-00-1932
IRISH GHOST BELIEF
WE HEARD A BANSHEE CRYING ONE NIGHT AND GRANDFATHER O'BRIEN TOLD US
THIS MEANT SOMEONE IN TOWN WAS GOING TO DIE. THE BANSHEE WENT MMOOO
MMOOO ALL NIGHT OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE OF THE PERSON THAT WAS GOING TO
DIE. A BANSHEE IS A KIND OF A LITTLE FAIRIE. PEGGY SWEARS SHE SAW
ONE IN THE GRAVEYARD ONE NIGHT. IT WAS ALL WHITE.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER LIVED IN BUNCLODY, COUNTY WEXFORD, IRELAND. SHE WAS FIVE
YEARS OLD IN 1932 WHEN SHE HEARD THE CRY OF THE BANSHEE.
PEGGY IS MY AUNT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1932 ; 11-22-1979
THE LITTLE PEOPLE
WHEN THE DEVIL REBELLED AGAINST GOD, YOU KNOW HE FOUGHT WITH ST.
MICHAEL. WELL, SOME OF THE ANGELS JUST SAT ON THE FENCE AND
WAITED TO SEE WHO WOULD WIN THE FIGHT. (THEY WERE AFRAID TO TAKE
SIDES, YOU KNOW). WHEN MICHAEL WON HE COULDN'T DECIDE WHAT TO DO
WITH THE ANGELS WHO HAD SAT ON THE FENCE. YOU CAN'T STAY IN HEAVEN,
HE TOLD THEM, BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T HELP ME. BUT YOU DON'T DESERVE
TO GO TO HELL EITHER. SO HE PUT A LITTLE ISLAND DOWN ON EARTH AND
SAID, YOU CAN LIVE THERE. IT'S THE CLOSEST TO HEAVEN YOU CAN GET
ON EARTH. THE ISLAND IS IRELAND, OF COURSE, AND THE ANGELS BECAME
THE LITTLE PEOPLE.
Submitter comment:
MRS. MCCLOSKEY HEARD THIS AS A CHILD IN BELFAST, IRELAND ABOUT
1910.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 00-00-1910 ; 01-13-1964
MYTH
MALTESE PEOPLE BELIEVE IN SPIRITS. THEY TAKE THE FORM OF A LITTLE
COLORED GENIE CALLED HARAS. A WOMAN FOUND MONEY EVERY DAY ON THE
DRESSER UNTIL ONE DAY SHE REVEALED HER SECRET TO HER NEIGHBOR. THE
FOLLOWING MORNING SHE WOKE UP SEVERELY BEATEN.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
MISS QUAIL'S GRANDPARENTS REMEMBER AN EVENT QUITE A FEW YEARS BACK
WHEN E. OUTER DRIVE WAS THE CITY LIMITS OF DETROIT. THEY LIVED ON
A FARM AT WHAT IS NOW THE INTERSECTION OF MCNICHOLS AND GREENFIELD.
CANDY'S GRANDMOTHER WAS TO GO TO HER
FIRST DANCE ONE NIGHT AND SHE HAD
SPENT THE WHOLE DAY GETTING READY. SHE HAD A DRESS THAT MUST
HAVE HAD ABOUT
A MILLION PLEATS, ALL LITTLE ONES THAT HAD TO BE IRONED IN BY HAND.
IT WAS A LONG, HARD CHORE AND IT TOOK HER ABOUT THREE HOURS TO
FINISH IT. WHEN SHE WAS DONE SHE
LAID IT ON THE BED UNTIL IT WAS TIME
TO GET DRESSED. A FEW MINUTES LATER, SOME
COMPANY ARRIVED OUT FRONT.
THE WHOLE FAMILY, EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO LIVED THERE WENT OUT ON THE
FRONT PORCH TO SAY HELLO. WHEN THEY CAME BACK IN, CANDY'S GRANDMOTHER
WENT BACK TO HER ROOM AND THERE WAS HER DRESS,
COMPLETELY STRAIGHTENED
OUT, NOT A PLEAT LEFT IN IT. THEY HAD THOSE BIG BEDS WITH THE IRON
RODS FORMING A GRILLWORK AT THE HEAD, AND THE DRESS HAD BEEN PULLED
IN AND OUT OF THESE RODS AND STRAIGHTENED OUT.
HER GRANDMOTHER SWEARS THAT NO ONE WAS IN THE HOUSE WHILE
SHE WAS OUTSIDE
SINCE SHE WAS THE LAST ONE OUT AND THE FIRST BACK IN.
THE ONLY CONCLUSION THAT THEY COULD COME TO WAS THAT FAIRIES HAD COME
IN AND DONE IT IN PAYMENT FOR SOMETHING
BAD THAT SHE HAD DONE. EVER SINCE
THEN, THEY HAVE REFERRED TO THE AREA AS "THE FAIRY FIELD". TODAY, A
BIG GAS STATION AND A NUMBER OF HOMES
ARE ON THE SITE OF THE OLD FARM.
BUT CANDY'S GRANDPARENTS STILL CALL THE PLACE "THE FAIRY FIELD"
WHENEVER THEY PASS IT.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-16-1965
LEGENDS, EVENTS AND BELIEFS ABOUT ELVES.
IT IS KNOWN THAT ELVES ARE ABLE TO BE FOUND MORE READILY IN LATE
MAY OR EARLY JUNE, THAN ANY OTHER TIME OF THE YEAR.
IT IS KNOWN THAT CERTAIN ELVES, WOOD ELVES, ARE GENERALLY FOUND
IN THE WOODS AND VALLEYS.
WOOD ELVES ARE MORE EASILY SEEN IN THE EVENING HOURS AS THE
STARS JUST BEGIN TO EMERGE IN THEIR SPLENDOR.
IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT ELVES STAY VERY HIDDEN AND ARE VIRTUALLY
SOUNDLESS IN THEIR MOVEMENTS AND SPEECH WHILE OUT OF DOORS.
IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT ELVES WOULD PREFER TO SING BALLADS, EVENTS OR
LEGENDS RATHER THAN JUST SINGING AS A FORM OF COMMUNICATION.
IT HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN THAT ELVES ARE NOT ALL THE SAME AS A GROUP.
IN FACT SOME ELVES, SEA ELVES, PREFER TO STAY IN SAILING SHIPS
AND OTHER LARGE VESSELS WHILE PATROLLING THE SEA RATHER THAN WALK
AROUND ON LAND.
SOME ELVES WILL ONLY LIVE ON ISLANDS WHILE OTHER GROUPS WILL ONLY
DWELL IN THE MAIN LANDS.
ELVES AS A GENERAL GROUP OR CLASS OF CREATURES HAVE DIFFERENT
LEVELS OF CLASSIFICATIONS.
THERE ARE KNOWN FOR EXAMPLE TO BE HIGH ELVES AND LOW ELVES.
A UNIQUE AND KNOWN FACT ABOUT ELVES IS THAT THEY HAVE AN UNCANNY
ABILITY TO WALK VERY GENTLY AND LIGHT FOOTEDLY THROUGH THE LAND.
IN FACT SOME PEOPLE HAVE FOUND THAT ELVES HAVE WALKED IN LARGE GROUPS
RIGHT PAST THEM IN THE FALL WHEN LEAVES ARE EVERYWHERE,
WITHOUT A SOUND OF THEIR PRESENCE EVEN KNOWN.
OTHER ELVES HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO WALK ON TOP OF SNOW WITH-
OUT LEAVING A TRACE OF THIN FOOTSTEPS.
ELVES OF COURSE ALWAYS WALK BARE FOOTED.
ELVES HAVE A DEFINITE SPIRITUAL SIDE TO THEIR GENDER.
IT IS KNOWN THAT ELVES CANNOT REALLY DIE, BUT RATHER PASS ON TO
ANOTHER AND FAR GREATER LAND OF EXISTENCE.
ALONG THESE SAME LINES, ELVES HAVE THE DEFINITE ABILITY TO
PICK UP INFORMATION CONCERNING PRESENT AS WELL AS PAST EVENTS.
ELVES PICK UP THIS INFORMATION FROM SUCH OBJECTS AS TREES, SMALL
FURRY ANIMALS, ROCKS, STREAMS, THE OCEANS AND OTHER THINGS.
THE ELVES SPEAK A CERTAIN ELVIN LANGUAGE TO THESE OBJECTS, THAT
ONLY THE OBJECTS AND THE ELVES KNOW HOW TO SPEAK.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT SEEMS TO BE BELIEVABLE.
HE SEEMS TO KNOW MUCH MORE THAN HE WILL TELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 48013
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Star |
Date learned: 12-03-1982
GREEN ELF
"ONE DAY WHEN I WAS HOME BY MYSELF, THE PHONE BEGAN TO RING.
I STARTED TO GO UPSTAIRS TO ANSWER IT IN MY BEDROOM.
AS I WAS GOING UP THE STAIRS, I TURNED MY HEAD TOWARDS THE
BATHROOM AND THROUGH THE BANNISTER RAILINGS I SAW A LITTLE
MAN DRESSED IN GREEN STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BATHROOM.
HE HAD BRIGHT RED EYES AND JUST STOOD THERE LOOKING AT ME.
I QUICKLY RAN DOWNSTAIRS AND ANSWERED THE PHONE. IT WAS MY
COUSIN AND I ASKED HIM TO COME OVER BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID. HE
JUST LAUGHED AT WHAT I SAID I HAD SAW."
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SWEARS AND BELIEVES THAT THIS HAPPENED TO HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 00001983CA
CHILDREN'S STORY
SOME TROLL LIVED UNDER A BRIDGE--SORT OF A CULVERT, BUT HE
CALLED IT A BRIDGE--AN', UH, I BELIEVE THERE WAS THREE GOATS
LIVED ON ONE SIDE OF A HILL, AN' THERE WAS A GREEN PASTURE
ON THE OTHER SIDE (OF THE BRIDGE). THEY'D JUST EATEN UP
EVERYTHING THEY HAD ON THEIR SIDE AN' THEY WANTED TO GO OVER TO
THIS GREEN PASTURE. BUT THEY WERE AFRAID OF THE TROLL 'COS
EVERYBODY THAT WENT ACROSS THIS BRIDGE, HE CAME OUT, Y'KNOW
AN' HE GOBBLED 'EM UP, ONE WAY OR 'NOTHER, AN' THESE THREE
GOATS DECIDED THEY WOULD GO ACROSS TO THE PASTURE. SO THEY
DECIDED THEY WOULD TRY THIS RUSE, AT LEAST THEY'D GET THEIR
LITTLE ONE ACROSS AN', UH, GET OVER WHERE THE PASTURE WAS
GREEN, 'COS IT WAS PROB'LY STARVATION IF THEY DIDN'T. SO
THE LITTLE FELLA, THEY THOUGHT HE'S SO LIGHT MAYBE HE WOULDN'T
HEAR HIM ANYWAY, AN' HE'D GET ACROSS, HE TRIPPED ACROSS THIS
BRIDGE. THE OLD TROLL SAID, "WHO'S THAT TRIPPIN' ACROSS MY
BRIDGE?" HE SAID, "I'M THE LITTLE GOAL BILLY." HE SAID, "I'M
COMIN' OUT AN' EAT YOU UP." AN' HE SAID, "OH, DON'T EAT ME
UP," SAID, UH, "MY FATHER'S COMIN' AFTER A WHILE AN' HE'S
MUCH BIGGER THAN I." AN' HE SAID, "VERY WELL THEN, GO ON."
SO THEN THE MIDDLE-SIZED GOAT, WHICH WAS THE MOMMA GOAT,
WENT ACROSS. AN' HE WANTED TO KNOW, THE OLD TROLL SAYS,
"WHO'S THAT TRAPPIN' ACROSS MY BRIDGE?" THE LITTLE ONE TRIPPED,
& THIS ONE TRAPPED. "WHO'S THAT CROSSIN' MY BRIDGE?" TRAP,
TRAP, TRAP. SHE SAID SHE'S THE MIDDLE-SIZE GOAT BILLY . . .
MAYBE THE NANNY GOAT . . . HE SAYS HE'S COMIN' OUT AN' EAT HER UP.
AN' SHE SAID, "OH, NO, DON'T COME OUT AN' EAT ME UP NOW,"
SHE SAID, "WE'RE GOIN' ACROSS IN A GREEN PASTURE WHERE WE CAN
EAT GRASS AN' GROW FAT, AN' THEN WHEN WE COME BACK WE'LL BE
GOOD FOR YE TO EAT." AND HE TOLD HER, VERY WELL, THEN, BUT
BE SURE THEY CAME BACK THAT WAY. SO AFTER A WHILE THE PAPA
GOAT, THE BIG BILLY GOAT, WENT ACROSS, TROMP, TROMP, TROMP.
AN' HE SAID, "WHO'S THAT TROMPIN' ACROSS MY BRIDGE?" AND HE
SAID, "THE BIG GOAT BILLY." HE SAID, "I'M COMIN' OUT AN'
EAT YOU UP." AN' HE SAID, UH, "WELL, COME AHEAD, THEN."
SO, THE TROLL CAME OUT, AND HE (THE GOAT) WAS SO STRONG HE
TOOK HIS OL' HORNS, Y'KNOW, AN' GORED HIM WITH 'EM; HE TOOK
AHOLD OF HIS NOSE AN' BROKE IT. THE TROLL'S NOSE WAS AS
LONG AS A BROOMSTICK AN' HIS EYES WAS AS BIG AS SAUCERS, AN'
HIS HAIR LOOKED LIKE, WELL . . . IT LOOKED ABOUT LIKE YOURS
(THE COLLECTOR'S LONG HAIR). ANYWAY, HE GORED HIM AN' HE
PICKED HIM UP AN' PITCHED HIM OVER IN THE RIVER, AN'
HE WAS GONE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS DOUBTFUL AS TO WHETHER SHE WAS CORRECTLY
REPEATING THE STORY, BUT SHE FELT SHE HAD IT MOSTLY CORRECT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 07-06-1973
TOOTH FAIRY
WHEN I WAS A CHILD, ALL MY FRIENDS AND
MYSELF WOULD PUT OUR BABY TOOTH WE HAD JUST
LOST UNDER THE PILLOW AND IN THE MORNING WE
WOULD FIND A QUARTER PUT THERE DURING THE
NIGHT BY THE TOOTH FAIRY.
Where learned: GEORGIA ; ATLANTA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE FAIRIES' HOME
A "FORT" IS A LITTLE MOUND OF EARTH IN THE MIDDLE OF
A FIELD. THERE IS ALWAYS A TREE GROWING ON THIS
FORT. CHILDREN ARE TOLD THAT THE FAIRIES LIVE
UNDER THE FORTS, SO THEY ARE WARNED NOT TO GO NEAR
THEM IN CASE THE FAIRIES GET ANGRY, AND THEY MIGHT
CURSE THEM. TO CUT DOWN THE TREE OR TO PICK
FLOWERS ON THE FORT IS UNLUCKY. THE FAIRIES ARE VERY
NICE AS LONG AS YOU LEAVE THEM ALONE, BUT SINCE THEY
HAVE BEEN IN IRELAND EVEN BEFORE THE IRISH THEMSELVES,
THEY ARE LEFT ALONE. THE FAIRIES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO
BRING BAD LUCK TO FAMILIES THAT HAVE PLOUGHED
THROUGH THEIR FORTS. SO IN IRELAND, FORTS ARE LEFT
ALONE. YOU DON'T WALK THROUGH THEM, YOU WALK ROUND
THEM, AND YOU TALK IN A LOW VOICE, SO AS NOT TO
WAKE UP THE BABY FAIRIES WHO MIGHT BE TAKING THEIR
NAPS.
Submitter comment:
WHEN SISTER MARY SAID "FORD" ANOTHER SISTER TOLD HER
"NO, IT'S "FORT."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
SWEDISH LITTLE PEOPLE TALE.
MY GRANDFATHER TOLD ME SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I WAS A SMALL
CHILD, AND ALSO WHEN HE WAS SOMEWHAT UNDER THE WEATHER--
THE SWEDES DO LIKE TO DRINK--ABOUT ONE TIME WHEN HE WAS
YOUNG AND HE WAS COMING HOME LATE IN THE AFTERNOON, BUT
HE HAD TO CROSS THIS CAVERN. THERE WAS A LOG ACROSS
THIS DITCH. WELL, JUST AS HE GOT UP TO THIS LOG, HE
LOOKED DOWN AND, WOOOOOOO, HE SAW A LITTLE MAN. HE
NEVER SAW ONE BEFORE AND HE DIDN'T BELIEVE IN THEM
BEFORE THAT TIME. WELL, HE RAN BACK AND GOT HIS DAD,
MY GREAT GRAND DAD, AND THEY BOTH CAME BACK TO THE
VERY SAME SPOT, BUT NO LITTLE MAN! BUT THERE WAS
SMALL FOOTPRINTS, AND THEY FOLLOWED THEM FOR A WAYS
BUT THEY DISAPPEARED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
LEPRECHAUNS
THE LEPRECHAUN IS THE COBBLER FOR THE FAIRIES. HE LIVES
IN THE GLENS OF IRELAND, AND HE ALSO HAS A CROCK OF GOLD.
IF YOU ARE LUCKY TO MEET HIM AT NIGHT, YOU CAN STEAL
HIS GOLD FROM HIM IF YOU STARE HIM LONG ENOUGH WITHOUT
BLINKING YOUR EYES FOR EVEN A SPLIT SECOND. THE
LEPRECHAUN STILL HAS HIS GOLD, BECAUSE NOBODY HAS BEEN
ABLE TO STARE HIM WITHOUT BLINKING HIS EYES. HE CAN
DISAPPEAR IN THE SPLIT SECOND YOU BLINK YOUR EYES.
MANY PEOPLE HEAR HIM HAMMERING ON THE FAIRIES'
SHOES AT NIGHT, BUT VERY FEW HAVE EVER SEEN HIM. IT
TAKES A SPECIAL STROKE OF LUCK, A MOONLIGHT NIGHT, A
QUIET GLEN AND A FORT NEARBY WHERE THE FAIRIES LIVE.
ALL THIS IS RARE EVEN IN IRELAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
THE WAY OF THE LEPRECAUN
THE LEPRECAUNS HAD CEASED WORK AND WERE LOOKING AT THE
CHILDREN. SEUMAS TURNED TO THEM.
"GOD BLESS THE WORK," HE SAID POLITELY.
ONE OF THE LEPRECAUNS, WHO HAD A GREY, PUCKERED FACE AND A
THIN FRINGE OF GREY WHISKER VERY FAR UNDER HIS CHIN THEN
SPOKE.
"COME OVER HERE, SEUMAS BEG," SAID HE, "AND I'LL MEASURE
YOU FOR A PAIR OF SHOES. PUT YOUR FOOT UP ON THAT ROOT."
THE BOY DID SO AND THE LEPRECAUN TOOK THE MEASURE OF HIS
FOOT WITH A WOODEN RULE.
"NOW BRIGID BEG, SHOW ME YOUR FOOT," AND HE MEASURED HER
ALSO. "THEY'LL BE READY FOR YOU IN THE MORNING."
"DO YOU NEVER DO ANYTHING ELSE BUT MAKES SHOES, SIR?" SAID
SEUMAS.
"WE DO NOT," REPLIED THE LEPRECAUN, "EXCEPT WHEN WE WANT
NEW CLOTHES, AND THEN WE HAVE TO MAKE THEM, BUT WE GRUDGE
EVERY MINUTE SPENT MAKING ANYTHING ELSE EXCEPT SHOES,
BECAUSE THAT IS THE PROPER WORK FOR A LEPRECAUN. IN
THE NIGHTTIME WE GO ABOUT THE COUNTRY INTO PEOPLE'S
HOUSES AND WE CLIP LITTLE PIECES OFF THEIR MONEY, AND SO,
BIT BY BIT, WE GET A CROCK OF GOLD TOGETHER, BECAUSE,
DO YOU SEE, A LEPRECAUN HAS TO HAVE A CROCK OF GOLD SO
THAT IF HE'S CAPTURED BY MEN FOLK, HE MAY BE ABLE TO RANSOM
HIMSELF. BUT THAT SELDOM HAPPENS, BECAUSE IT'S A GREAT
DISGRACE ALTOGETHER TO BE CAPTURED BY A MAN AND WE'VE
PRACTICED SO LONG DODGING AMONG THE ROOTS HERE THAT WE
CAN EASILY GET AWAY FROM THEM. OF COURSE, NOW AND AGAIN
WE ARE CAUGHT; BUT MEN ARE FOOLS, AND WE ALWAYS ESCAPE
WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY THE RANSOM AT ALL. WE WEAR GREEN
CLOTHES BECAUSE IT IS IN THE COLOR OF THE LEAVES, AND WHEN WE
SIT UNDER A BUSH OR LIE IN THE GRASS, THEY JUST WALK BY
WITHOUT NOTICING US."
Submitter comment:
MRS. BYRNE, MY GRANDMOTHER, TOLD THIS TO A LITTLE BOY
DOWN THE BLOCK. SHE CLAIMS THERE ARE LEPRECAUNS AND
SO HAS BELIEVED THE STORY SINCE SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL
IN IRELAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND
Keyword(s): LEPRECHAUNS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
THE LITTLE PEOPLE
IN IRELAND, THE LITTLE PEOPLE LIVE IN THE "BRAMBLE BUSH." NO
IRISH PERSON WOULD DARE CUT DOWN ONE OF THESE BUSHES FOR FEAR
OF OFFENDING THE "LITTLE PEOPLE." IF THE "LITTLE PEOPLE"
BECAME EVEN A LITTLE BIT UNHAPPY OVER SOMEONE CUTTING DOWN
THEIR BUSH, THEY WOULD PLAY MEAN TRICKS ON THE IRISH FOLKS.
THE FAVORITE TRICKS PLAYED ON FARMERS WERE MAKING THEIR
MILK TURN SOUR AND NOT ALLOWING THEIR BUTTER TO CHURN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): ELVES IMPS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 11-03-1969
THE WATER SPRITES' BOAT
THE CHILDREN IN NORWAY ARE TAUGHT NEVER TO LEAVE A TINY NAIL
SLIVER ANYWHERE FOR THE WATER SPRITES TO FIND. THE LITTLE
SPRITES COLLECT ALL THE CUTTINGS THEY CAN FIND, BECAUSE THEY ARE
BUILDING A GREAT BOAT OUT OF THEM. WHEN THE BOAT IS FINISHED
THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO SAIL IT INTO A FJORD, AND ON REACHING THE
END, THE BOAT WILL EXPLODE AND CAUSE SUCH AN EARTHQUAKE
THAT THE WORLD WILL COME TO AN END.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): FINGERNAILS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN