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NOT GIVEN
AT FORT NIAGRA, NEAR NIAGRA FALLS, NEW YORK, I HEARD A STORY THAT
THE GUIDE SWORE WAS TRUE. HE SAID THAT YEARS AGO, WHEN BRITISH
SOLDIERS MANNED THE FORT, TWO YOUNG SOLDIERS WERE TRYING TO WIN THE
LOVE OF A YOUNG GIRL, THE COMMANDER'S DAUGHTER. WHILE ONE OF THE
SOLDIERS WAS ON DUTY GUARDING THE PRISONERS IN THE DUNGEON, THE
OTHER SOLDIER CAME AND KILLED HIM. HE THEN CUT OFF HIS HEAD AND
THREW THE ENTIRE BODY DOWN THE DUNGEON WELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SAILORS' HATS
IN EVERY SERVICE BAR, THERE IS A SIGN HANGING OVER THE BAR THAT
READS: "HE WHO WEARS HIS HAT IN HERE/ BUYS THIS BAR A ROUND OF
CHEER." THIS COMES FROM THE OLD TALE CONCERNING THE THREE BRITISH
SAILORS WHO WERE IN AUSTRALIA DURING THE WAR, ALL IN THE SAME BAR,
AND ALL DRINKING WITH THEIR HATS ON. LATER ALL WERE KILLED, EACH
STILL WITH HIS HAT ON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALMA ; ROUTE 2 ; W JEFFERSON RD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
ARMY NURSE
IN WORLD WAR I, REGISTERED NURSES WERE DRAFTED. WHEN THE ARMISTICE
WAS SIGNED, THEY STILL HAD TO FINISH THEIR TOURS OF DUTY. SOME
WERE SENT TO THE KENTUCKY HILLS, WHERE THE ONLY MEANS OF
TRANSPORTATION WAS A MULE. "MOST OF US WERE EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD CITY
GALS. PICTURE US PUSHING AND PULLING THOSE DUMB ANIMALS UP THE
HILLS."
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
SUPERSTITION IN NARRATIVE FORM
MISS BLYTHE RELATED THIS TO ME. SHE SAID HER MOTHER ALWAYS TELLS
HER THIS STORY. WHEN HER MOTHER LIVED DOWN SOUTH, HER GRANDMOTHER
USED TO TELL HER MOTHER THAT BABIES COME FROM THE HOLLOW OF A TREE.
WHEN HER MOTHER WAS PREGNANT WITH HER BROTHER, FOR THE WHOLE NINE
MONTHS SHE RAN TO A NEARBY POND WHERE THERE WAS A HUGE HOLLOW IN
A TREE. SHE LOOKED ALMOST EVERY DAY INSIDE THE TREE TO SEE IF THE
BABY HAD ARRIVED YET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
LANGUAGE OF ISRAEL: ELIEZER BEN-YEHUDA AND THE FORMATION OF
THE INFORMANT TOLD ME THE STORY OF ELIEZER BEN-YEHUDA, THE MAN WHO
COMPILED THE MODERN HEBREW LANGUAGE. BEN-YEHUDA FOUND THAT THE
JEWISH PEOPLE KNEW THE MEANINGS OF ONLY 7,700 HEBREW WORDS WHEN HE
COMPILED HIS FAMOUS DICTIONARY IN THE 1800'S. BEN-YEHUDA HAD TO
MAKE UP WORDS TO FIT NEW CONCEPTS THAT DID NOT EXIST WHERE ANCIENT
HEBREW WAS USED ("CARRIAGE," ETC.) SO HE COMBINED GERMAN, HEBREW
AND ARABIC TO FORM WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS YIDDISH.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 19510 BURLINGTON
Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; Hebrew ; Jewish ; Language ; Origin
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
Content filter on this entry.
LANGUAGE OF ISRAEL: NO REAL NATIONAL LANGUAGE
MANY YEARS LATER, A PUPIL OF ELIEZER BEN-YEHUDA'S DECIDED TO GO
AND PINPOINT WHAT THE JEWISH PEOPLE USED FOR THEIR NATIONAL
LANGUAGE. SINCE THEY WERE ALL CAREFUL IN ORDINARY SPEAKING, THIS
PUPIL DECIDED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO FIND OUT HOW THE PEOPLE REALLY
SPOKE WOULD BE TO CATCH THEM WITH THEIR TONGUES OFF GUARD. SO ONE
DAY HE WENT TO A JEWISH SCHOOL IN JERUSALEM AND WAITED UNTIL ONE
OF THE SMALLEST BOYS CAME OUT INTO THE PLAYGROUND. THE PUPIL
WALKED UP TO HIM FROM BEHIND AND ROUGHLY KNOCKED THE LITTLE BOY'S
HAT OFF. THE PUPIL EXPECTED THE BOY TO CRY OUT "MOTHER," EITHER
SAYING "IMMA," WHICH IS HEBREW, OR "MAMALE," WHICH IS YIDDISH,
BUT INSTEAD THE LITTLE BOY PICKED UP HIS HAT, FACED BEN-YEHUDA'S
PUPIL SQUARELY AND HISSED "HAMAR" (ASSHOLE), WHICH IS THE SAME
IN BOTH LANGUAGES. SO BECAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT, THEN, WE STILL
DO NOT KNOW IF ISRAEL'S NATIONAL LANGUAGE IS HEBREW OR YIDDISH.
Data entry tech comment:
Beginning of tale is missing.
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Culture ; ETYMOLOGY ; Hebrew ; Israel ; Jewish ; Language ; Origin ; Yiddish
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being SPEECH -- Folk etymology PROVERB -- V620 |
KIBITZER
ANY CARD PLAYER WILL TELL YOU A KIBITZER IS THE LOWEST FORM OF
HUMANITY; HE'S CONTINUALLY PEEKING INTO YOUR HAND, SMIRKING AND
GIVING UNNECESSARY ADVICE. KIBITZERS AREN'T NICE. THE NAME
KIBITZER COMES FROM THE WORD KIBITZ, GERMAN FOR LAPWING OR PLOVER.
THIS CREATURE JABBERS INCESSANTLY, BUT CANNOT SING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 1460 MEAD ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
JEWISH NARRATIVE: CEMETERY
FOUR MEN WERE BOASTING ABOUT THEIR BRAVERY. THEY FINALLY DECIDED
THAT A FAIR TEST WOULD BE A SOLO TRIP THROUGH THE CEMETERY. TO
PROVE THAT THEY HAD TRAVERSED THE ENTIRE ROUTE THEY WERE TO POUND
STAKES INTO THE GROUND PERIODICALLY. THREE OF THE MEN ENTERED THE
CEMETERY AND MET ON THE OTHER SIDE PROUND OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT.
THE FOURTH NEVER RETURNED.
THE NEXT DAY THE THREE WENT IN SEARCH OF HIM AND FOUND HIM DEAD OF
A HEART ATTACK. HE HAD POUNDED A STAKE INTO THE GROUND AND HAD
INADVERTANTLY PINNED THE TAIL OF HIS COAT TO THE GROUND.
APPARENTLY AS HE GOT UP TO COMPLETE HIS JOURNEY, HE WAS
IMMOBILIZED FROM BEHIND BY THE STAKE AND HE SUFFERED A HEART
ATTACK FROM HIS PANIC.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT RELATED THIS STORY AS ONE THAT EVERY JEWISH BOY
LEARNS ABOUT FALSE BRAVERY AND RESPECT FOR THE DEAD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; CEMETERY ; Fable ; Jewish ; Tale
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
HAUNTED HOUSE STORY
THERE IS A HOUSE IN MARBLEHEAD WHICH IS VACATED FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS
NOW. THERE'S BLOOD IN THE KITCHEN. IF YOU GO BACK TO THE BEDROOM
IN THE BACK WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THIS LITTLE GIRL'S, THERE'S
BLOOD THERE ALSO. THE LITTLE GIRL WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HAD HER
THROAT SLIT, THERE WERE SCREAMS ALL OVER THE HOUSE, AND THE LITTLE
GIRL VANISHED. THAT'S WHY THERE IS BLOOD (FROM HER NECK,
SUPPOSEDLY) ALL TRACKED ALL OVER THE HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
LOCAL HAUNTED HOUSE STORY
THERE WAS AN OLD HOUSE NEAR HERE, BUT THIS WAS QUITE A FEW YEARS
AGO, AND PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS HAUNTED BECAUSE THEY WOULD HEAR
NOISES COMING FROM IT AND EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE A HORRIBLE SMELL
WOULD COME OUT OF THE HOUSE. FINALLY, THEY FOUND AN OLD WOMAN
IN THE BASEMENT WHO HAD BEEN LIVING THERE AND EATING THE RATS
TO KEEP ALIVE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 09-19-1967
WHEN MRS. SOSNOWSKI WAS 12 (ABOUT 1930) IN PENNSYLVANIA
SHE AND HER MOTHER WERE IN THE LIVINGROOM OF HER HOUSE.
HER MOTHER WAS ROCKING HER LITTLE BROTHER TO SLEEP.
ALL OF A SUDDEN, THEY HEARD THREE LOUD KNOCKS.
WHEN THEY WENT TO THE DOOR, NO ONE WAS THERE. ABOUT
15 MINUTES LATER A MRS. ROMIKOFF, ONE OF THE NEARBY
NEIGHBORS RAN OVER TO THEIR HOUSE FOR HELP, BECAUSE
HER BABY WAS VERY SICK. WHEN THE TWO LADIES GOT
THERE, THE BABY WAS DEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF TALE
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SELLING A CAR
DURING THE DEPRESSION, MY FATHER ONCE SOLD A FRIEND HIS CAR
FOR ONE DOLLAR. THE MAN WOULDNT TAKE IT FOR NOTHING, SO
HE GAVE HIM A DOLLAR.
Submitter comment:
NOT TOLD AS A JOKE BUT AS A STRAIGHT STORY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated and Motifs added / 02-28-2011 / TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 10410 SOMERSET ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Car ; CHARITY ; DEPRESSION ; Dollar ; Generosity ; KINDNESS ; MONEY ; PRIDE
James Callow Keyword(s): Generosity ; PRIDE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
FAMILY STORY
THERE IS AN OLD STORY HANDED DOWN IN THE SPLAIN FAMILY ABOUT
A GREAT-GREAT GRANDFATHER ONE OF THE FIRST OF THE SPLAIN FAMILY
TO SETTLE IN WASHINGTON, DC WHO MARRIED AN "OLD HAG, A STAUNCH
RELIGIOUS HAG, BECAUSE HE WANTED TO GET TO HEAVEN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 10-00-1972
MURDER PROSE
THERE IS AN APARTMENT OR FLAT AND THESE GIRLS, WELL FIRST
OF ALL IT IS
IN A FAMILIAR NEIGHBORHOOD LIKE THIS ONE AROUND U OF D, LET'S SAY.
AND IT WOULD BE IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES TO LET'S SAY SOME GIRLS
GOING TO MARYGROVE. O.K., NOW THESE THREE CHICKS LIVE IN AN UPSTAIRS
FLAT.
AND TWO OF THEM HAD DATES THAT NIGHT, SOME WEEKEND NIGHT.
THEY
WENT OUT, AND THERE WAS ONE LEFT IN THE FLAT. SO SHE WAS STUDYING AND
EVERYTHING, BUT YOU KNOW, SINCE IT WAS SUCH A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD OF
COURSE THEY
HAD ALL THE DOORS LOCKED AND EVERYTHING AND THEY WERE VERY
SIDEWALK
STRICT ITH THEIR SECURITY. SO, IT WAS GETTING PRETTY LATE AND SHE W
WASN'T GOING TO WAIT UP FOR HER FRIENDS, SO SHE STARTS TO GO TO BED.
NOW, BEFORE SHE GOES TO BED, SHE HEARS SOME STRANGE NOISES OUTSIDE
LIKE
POSSIBLY A SCREAM, BUT SHE WASN'T REALLY SURE THAT'S WHAT IT WAS.
ALTHOUGH, HER CURIOSITY WAS AROUSED AND SHE AT LEAST WAS GOING TO
HAVE
A LOOK. SO SHE WENT TO THE WINDOW AND SHE COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING,
BUT SHE STILL HEARD A LOT OF THRASHING AROUND OUTSIDE. NOW THIS
REALLY
SCARED THE GIRL BUT STILL SHE HAD TO GO DOWN AND SEE WHAT IT WAS.
SO SHE GOES DOWN AND GETS ENOUGH COURAGE TO LOOK OUT AGAIN AND
OPENS THE DOOR. SO SHE GOES OUT. ALONG THE TWO SIDES OF THE
THERE ARE THESE TWO SHRUBS AND OF COURSE THE SIDEWALK IS A
PRETTY
LONG ONE. SHE WALKS DOWN, STILL SCARED BUT ALL THE LIGHTS WERE
ON AND EVERYTHING. SHE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING AND DIDN'T REALLY HEAR
ANYTHING
AND SORT OF EXPECTED IT WAS AN ALLEY CAT OR SOMETHING, BUT THEN,
SHE TURNED AROUND AND STARTED TO WALK BACK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE
HEARD THIS THRASHING SOUND, BUT SHE WAS REALLY SCARED AND SHE WASN'T
GOING TO BOTHER LOOKING BACK. SHE HEARD THE THRASHING SOUND RUNNING
ALL THE WAY UP TO THE HOUSE AND OF COURSE THIS MULTIPLIED IN HER
MIND,
ALL THE EFFECTS OF THIS THING, SO SHE RUNS UP, SHUTS THE DOOR AND
THEN RIGHT AFTER SHE SHUTS THE DOOR, SHE HEARS THIS FAINT SCRATCHING
AT THE DOOR, BUT SHE REALLY COULDN'T TELL WHAT IT WAS. SHE HAD HAD
IT/, SHE RUNS BACK UPSTAIRS SCARED TO DEATH, SHE DIDN'T WANT TO LOOK
LOOK OUT
OUT OR ANYTHING. SO ABOUT FORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER, HER SECOND
ROOMMATE
CAME IN. HER ROOMMATE WAS JUST OUT OF IT. SHE RUNS UP TO THE GIRL
AND SAID, "WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?" THE GIRL SAID THAT SHE HAD BEEN
THERE ALL NIGHT. SO SHE BRINGS THE GIRL DOWN TO THE DOOR AND
THERE IS
HER OTHER ROOMMATE DOWN ON THE PORCH TH A HATCHET IN HER BACK,
WITH ONE HAND ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
MURDER PROSE
THIS CHICK AND GUY IN CLEVELAND WERE OUT IN THE PARK AND THE
GUY IN THE
CAR THOUGHT HE HEARD NOISES, BUT DIDN'T PAY ANY ATTENTION. THE
SECOND TIME HE HEARD IT, HE KNEW IT WAS A NOISE BEING DONE
DELIBERATELY.
IT KEPT UP AND THE GUY DECIDED TO GET OUT; BY THE WAY, THIS WAS A
CONVERTIBLE. HE TOLD THE GIRL TO LOCK THE DOORS AND GET DOWN ON THE
FLOOR. HE STEPS OUT. SO HE'S OUTSIDE, NOW THIS IS PRETTY LATE AT
NIGHT. SHE GOT PRETTY WORRIED BECAUSE HE DIDN'T COME BACK.
THE NEXT THING
SHE KNOWS IS A FAINT SCRATCHING ON THE TOP OF THE CAR IN A
RHYTHMIC MOTION.
SHE DOESN'T DO ANYTHING, ONLY EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID.
LATER ANOTHER
CAR PULLS UP, SHE COULDN'T SEE WHO IT WAS. THEN SHE SAW A
FLASHLIGHT FLASHING AROUND IN THE CAR. IT WAS A COP. HE SAID
FOR HER
TO GET OUT. THE COP SAID DON'T LOOK BEHIND YOU AND GET INTO
MY CAR.
SHE DID, BUT HER CURIOSITY WAS AROUSED. IT WAS JUST THE BREAK OF
DAWN, SO THERE WAS JUST ENOUGH LIGHT. SO SHE LOOKED BEHIND AND
SAW HER
BOYFRIEND HANGING BY HIS NECK FROM A TREE SWINGING ABOVE THE CAR.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
James Callow Keyword(s): OHIO ; PARKING
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
MURDER PROSE
DOWN SOUTH IN LOUISIANA, THERE WERE THESE TWO CHICKS SPENDING THE
NIGHT
TOGETHER. YOU SEE, ONE OF THE GIRLS' PARENTS RE GONE FOR THE WE
WEEKEND AND SO THE GIRLS WERE STAYING TOGETHER SO THE ONE WOULDN'T BE
ALONE. ANYWAY, IT WAS GETTING LATE AND THEY WERE GETTING READY FOR
BED, WHEN THE GIRL WHO LIVED IN THE HOUSE HEARD SOMETHING DOWNSTAIRS
DOWNSTAIRS IN
THE KITCHEN. SO, SHE WENT DOWN TO SEE WHAT IT WAS. WELL, A LITTLE
WHILE LATER, THE GIRL UPSTAIRS HEARS THIS HORRIBLE SCREAM. SHE GOT
REALLY SCARED BY THIS, SO SCARED SHE DIDN'T EVEN GO DOWNSTAIRS
TO SEE WHAT
HAD HAPPENED. ALL SHE DID WAS GO INTO THE CLOSET AND HIDE. THIS
CLOSET WAS REAL SMALL WITH NO LIGHT. SHE KEPT ON HEARING THESE
STRANGE
NOISES LIKE A SCRAPING SOUND AND THEN A THUD. THIS WENT ON A GOOD
PART OF THE NIGHT. THESE NOISES SCARED HER SO MUCH THAT SHE FINALLY
FAINTED. THE NEXT MORNING THE GIRL WAS AWOKEN BY THE OTHER GIRLS'
PARENTS WHO HAD COME HOME FROM THEIR TRIP. THE PARENTS SAID, "WHAT HA
"WHAT HAPPENED
HERE LAST NIGHT?" SHE TOLD THEM HER STORY ON WHAT HAD HAPPENED
. THEN THE GIRLS' PARENTS TOOK THE OTHER GIRL TO THE TOP OF THE
STAIRS
AND THERE WAS THE OTHER GIRL HALF WAY UP THE STAIRS, DEAD, WITH
HER LEGS CUT OFF. SHE WAS THE ONE CAUSING THE STRANGE NOISES.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE HORROR
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-22-1972
DISTILLERY PROSE
THIS ONE HAPPENED IN NORTH CAROLINA. THERE WAS THIS GUY NAMED LOSS
HONEYCUTT
AND HIS PROFESSION WAS BREEDING BULLS. ON THE SIDE HE RAN A
DISTILLERY. BACK IN THOSE TIMES, I THINK IT WAS THE EARLY 1900'S, AS
FAR AS POLICEMEN AND GUYS LIKE THAT, THEY DIDN'T FIND OUT TOO MUCH
ABOUT
DISTILLERIES, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE ILLEGAL AND EVERYTHING. BUT
BY MOUTH OR WHATEVER, THE AUTHORITIES FOUND OUT THAT LOSS WAS RUNNING
THIS DISTILLERY AND MAKING PRETTY GOOD MONEY ON IT. SO ONE DAY TWO
LOCAL
SHERIFFS DECIDED TO PAY LOSS A VISIT. IT SO HAPPENS THAT THE
POLICE
WERE SEEN GOING IN THERE TO BREAK UP THE STILL AND OF COURSE A
CROWD BEGAN TO GATHER OUTSIDE HIS HOUSE. AND THEY WAITED AND WAITED,
BUT THE TWO SHERIFFS NEVER CAME OUT. THE PEOPLE GOT KIND OF CONCERNED
AND WENT TO THE POLICE STATION AND TOLD THEM THAT THE TWO SHERIFFS
HADN'T COME OUT OF THE HOUSE. SO THE POLICE INVESTIGATED. THEY WENT
INTO THE HOUSE AND DOWN INTO THE BASEMENT WHERE THE STILL WAS LOCATED
AND THERE WAS LOSS MAKING WHISKEY. IT SO HAPPENS THAT LOSS HAD DONE
AWAY WITH THE TWO SHERIFFS AND HAD MADE WHISKEY OUT OF THEM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM: PEOPLE DISTILLED INTO WHISKEY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
POLISH PROVERB
AS I OFFERED MYSELF, SO I WILL GO.
Submitter comment:
THE ORIGIN OF THIS SAYING IS POPULAR. SUPPOSEDLY
THERE WAS A PILGRIMAGE
GOING TO THE SHRINE IN CZESTOCHSEVA, POLAND. THE GROUP
NEARS A STREAM THEY MUST CROSS. THE MEN PULL UP THEIR PANT LEGS AND
THE WOMEN PULL THEIR SKIRTS OVER THEIR HEADS, LEAVING THEIR SLIPS BENEATH,
IN ORDER TO CROSS. ONE WOMAN, BY MISTAKE, PULLED EVERY-
THING UP. WHEN THEY FINALLY CROSSED A MAN BEHIND HER CALLS OUT IN
SURPRISE, 'WOMAN, HOW ARE YOU GOING.(SIC)' SHE ANSWERS VERY FERVENT-
LY, IN REFERENCE TO HER INTENTIONS, 'AS I OFFERED MYSELF, SO I WILL
GO.' MY GRANDFATHER KNOWS THE SAYING AND STORY FROM POLAND.
Data entry tech comment: VERY CONCISE COMMENT, AND MEANINGFUL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
MCGEE, THE BOGEYMAN
WHEN I WAS LITTLE THERE WAS A DOOR IN MY BEDROOM WHICH LED TO AN
ATTIC. I WAS ALWAYS AFRAID TO GO TO SLEEP BECAUSE I THOUGHT SOMEONE
WAS UPSTAIRS. AFTER I HAD BEEN IN BED QUITE A WHILE, AND I HAD NOT
FALLEN ASLEEP, MY FATHER WOULD COME INTO THE ROOM AND ASK WHY I
WAS NOT ASLEEP. I WOULD TELL HIM I COULDN'T SLEEP. HE WOULD THEN
TELL ME ABOUT A BOGEYMAN WHO WAS UP IN THE ATTIC. HE SAID IF I DID
NOT GO TO SLEEP, THIS LITTLE MAN, CALLED MCGEE, WOULD COME DOWN THE
STAIRS AND CARRY ME OFF. HE WAS DESCRIBED AS A MUSTACHED BLACK-
CAPED PERSON, MUCH LIKE THE VILLIANS OFTEN SEEN IN THE OLD TIME
MOVIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
TRAGEDY STRIKES
IT WAS ONE OF THOSE WEEKENDS WHEN PRACTICALLY EVERYONE IN THE DORM
GOES HOME. IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT ON ONE OF THE CORRIDORS ONLY
TWO GIRLS REMAINED. SINCE THEY WERE THE ONLY ONES LEFT THEY DECIDED
IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO ROOM TOGETER FOR THE WEEKEND. ONE OF
GIRLS WANTED TO GO SEE A FRIEND OF HERS ON THE NEXT FLOOR, SO
SHE LEFT, LEAVING THE OTHER GIRL BY HERSELF. A COUPLE OF HOURS
PASSED AND THE GIRL HADN'T RETURNED YET SO THE GIRL IN THE ROOM BEGAN
TO GET SCARED. SHE BEGAN TO HEAR NOISES THAT SOUNDED AS IF SOMEONE
WAS TRYING TO GET INTO THE ROOM. SHE ASKED WHO WAS AT
THE DOOR BUT WHEN NO REPLY CAME SHE PANICKED AND
PUSHED THE DRESSER AGAINST THE DOOR. HER HEART BEGAN TO BEAT HEAVILY
AS THE FEAR MOUNTED IN HER. WHILE SHE WAITED FOR HER FRIEND TO
RETURN SHE FELL ASLEEP. WHEN SHE AWOKE UP THE
SUN WAS SHINING THROUGH THE WINDOW. SHE REALIZED
THAT HER FRIEND WASN'T BACK YET SO SHE MOVED THE DRESSER AWAY FROM
THE DOOR AND WENT OUT TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO HER. WHEN
SHE OPENED THE DOOR SHE SAW BLOOD ON THE FLOOR. SHE FOLLLOWED
THE DROPS OF BLOOD UNTIL SHE CAME TO THE LAVATORY. WHEN SHE
OPENED THE DOOR OF THE LAVATORY SHE SAW HER FRIEND ON THE FLOOR
WITH BOTH OF HER LEGS CUT OFF. LATER SHE FOUND OUT THAT THE
SCRATCHES AT THE DOOR WERE CAUSED BY THE GIRL TRYING TO GET INTO THE
ROOM. IN HER AGONY SE HAD MANAGED TO DRAG HERSELF BACK TO THE ROOM.
THE SHOCK OF LOSNG HER LEGS CAUSED THE GIRL TO BECOME SPEECHLESS.
FOR THIS SHE WAS UNABLE TO ANSWER HER ROOMATE. IT WAS SOON
LEARNT THAT THE MAID HAD GONE MAD AND IN HER MADNESS CUT THE GIRLS
LEGS OFF.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A TRADITIONAL STORY THAT LIVES ON IN THE DORMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |