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RATTLESNAKE ON A TEXAS PLATEAU
A FEW YEARS AGO, I WAS DRIVING A GROUP OF BOYS ON A TRIP DOWN TO
MEXICO[ CITY, AND ONE DAY I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT TWO HUNDRED MILES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY CLASS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
CENTIPEDES ARE POISONOUS
I WAS GOING THROUGH TEXAS AND I SAW A MASS OF LITTLE BROWN THINGS
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE, BUT THEY
LOOKED A LITTLE LIKE CHOCOLATE BARS WITH LEGS. I DIDN'T KNOW
THEY WERE POISONOUS THEN, SO I PICKED UP ONE AND HELD IT IN MY
HAND FOR A FEW SECONDS, BUT IT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO ME.
THEN WHEN I GOT A LITTLE FARTHER ON DOWN THE ROAD AT THE NEXT
GAS STATION, I ASKED THE ATTENDANT WHAT THE LITTLE CREATURES WERE,
BECAUSE I KNEW THEY WEREN'T CHOCOLATE BARS. THE ATTENDANT TOLD ME
THEY WERE POISONOUS, SO AFTER THAT I DIDN'T PICK UP ANY MORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY CLASS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
NOT GIVEN
THERE'S THIS FELLA ALWAYS TELLING FALSE STORIES WHEN HE CAME INTO
TOWN. THIS FELLA LIVED THERE IN THE COMMUNITY AREA. THE FELLA
WAS TALKING ABOUT HUNTING OUT WEST. HE SAID THAT HE WAS SHOOTIN'
AT A MOUNTAIN GOAT. THEY WERE UP REAL HIGH. HE SAID HE SHOT THE
GOAT AND IT FELL DOWN INTO A KINGBERRY. WHEN IT DID FALL, IT FELL
RIGHT ON A BEAR. IT CHASED THE BEAR OUT OF THE KINGBERRY AND HE
SHOT AT IT TOO.
Submitter comment: A KINGBERY IS A HEAVILY DENSE THICKET WHERE A BEAR MIGHT SLEEP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 02-07-1972
OMEN
IF YOU SEE A BULL FROG, IT'S A WITCH BRINGING A CURSE. YOU SHOULD
PUT THE FROG ON A BOARD (FULCRUM) AND HIT IT INTO THE AIR, SENDING
THE CURSE AWAY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT GOT THIS FROM HER MOTHER WHEN INFORMANT WAS A CHILD.
SHE SAID SHE NEVERR DID THE ACTION DESCRIBED BECAUSE SHE WAS TOO
AFRAID OF THE FROG TO PICK IT UP. SHE JUST RAN AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; 7632 WESTMINSTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
CATS
CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT BUT SATISFACTION BROUGHT HIM BACK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal |
THE WHIFFENPOOF
THE 800-POUND WHIFFENPOOF WAS CAPABLE OF RUNNING BACKWARD. IT WAS
CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACE OF AN ELK, ANTLERS, SHARP HOOVES AND
HIND QUARTERS THAT SLOPED ABRUPTLY LIKE THOSE OF A GIRAFFE. THE
BULL WHIFFENPOOFS WERE EQUIPPED WITH TWO ADAM'S APPLES WHICH
CLICKED TOGETHER LIKE A PAIR OF DICE, AND PROVIDED A MEANS OF
CONVERSATION. THE COWS SCREAMED LIKE A SOPRANO SINGING WITH A
SORE THROAT.
THE WHIFFENPOOF UNDERWENT PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS WITH MODERNITY,
AND IN ITS MOST RECENT FORM, BORE RED AND GREEN LIGHTS AT THE
STERN. WHEN THE WHIFFENPOOF RAN FORWARD, IT SWITCHED ON ITS GREEN
LIGHT; AND WHEN IT RAN BACKWARD IT FLASHED THE RED LIGHT.
THEIR ENEMY WAS THE TIMBER WOLF.
THE WHIFFS AND THE TIMBER WOLVES WERE IN A CONTINUAL STATE OF WAR-
FARE. THE WHIFFS USUALLY OUTSMARTED THE WOLVES. THEY GOT THE
WOLVES TO CHASE THEM, AND THEN SUDDENLY RAN BACKWARD, TRAMPLING
THEIR ENEMIES INTO THE EARTH.
THE WARFARE BECAME VERY BITTER. WOLVES MOVED DOWN FROM MICHIGAN TO
EXTERMINATE THE WHIFFENPOOF AND THE BATTLE WAS TERRIFIC. THE
EARTH SHOOK FROM THE THUNDER OF THE WHIFFENPOOF HOOVES, AND
KNOCKED PICTURES FROM THE WALLS OF THE PIONEERS' HOMES. THE
WHIFFS HAD THEIR GREEN LIGHTS ON, AND THE NIGHT BECAME SO BRIGHT
THAT SCHOOL CHILDREN COULD READ THEIR PRIMERS WITHOUT THE AID
OF TALLOW DIP CANDLES.
THEY CHASED THE MICHIGAN WOLVES INTO LAKE ERIE; BUT A BIG DISPLAY
OF NORTHERN LIGHTS, OR AURORA BOREALIS, WAS ON, AND THE WHIFFS
BECAME CONFUSED. THEY THOUGHT THEIR COMRADES WERE FLASHING ON THE
GREEN LIGHTS FOR GUIDANCE, AND SWAM AROUND IN CIRCLES UNTIL THEY
WERE SO EXHAUSTED THAT THEY DROWNED. ONE WHIFFENPOOF SURVIVED.
HE SWAN TO A LAKE ERIE ISLAND OFF THE OHIO COAST AND LIVED THERE
FOR YEARS. HE WAS KNOWN AS "OLD OTTO."
BUT ONE DAY "OLD OTTO" ATE A PAIR OF OVERALLS FROM A FARMER'S
CLOTHESLINE, AND THE OVERALLS CLOGGED HIS THROAT. HIS TWO
ADAM'S APPLES WOULDN'T CLICK TOGETHER, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TALK
TO HIMSELF. SO HE DIED OF LONELINESS.
Submitter comment:
THE WHIFFENPOOF WAS CREATED BY THE HESSIAN MERCENARIES WHO FOUGHT
FOR ENGLAND DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. AFTER THE WAR MANY
OF THEM SETTLED IN PENNSYLVANIA AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE PEOPLE
KNOWN AS THE PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; DETROIT ; DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TALE
I WAAS RESTING ABOUT LUNCHTIME ONE DAY DURING DEER SEASON, SITTING
ON A ROCK BY THE EDGE OF A STREAM. A DEER APPEARED, APPARENTLY TO
GET A DRINK, SO I PICKED UP MY RIFLE AND SHOT IT. THE SHOT WAS
CLEAN AND WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE DEER AND HIT A BEAR WALKING OUT
OF THE WOODS. THE RECOIL FROM THE GUN KNOCKED ME BACK INTO THE
STREAM, POPPING THE BUTTON ON MY SUSPENDERS, WHICH FLEW INTO THE
AIR AND STRUCK A DUCK THAT WAS FLYING OVER. THE DUCK FELL ON A
SNOWSHOE RABBIT HIDDEN IN THE GRASS BY THE STREAM. WHEN I GOT UP
TO ROUND UP MY CATCH, MY POCKETS WERE FULL OF TROUT.
Where learned: NORTHERN MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
THE UNDERSTANDING CANINE
MY GRANDFATHER BOUGHT A BEAUTIFUL HUNTING DOG FROM A GUY WHO GOT
RID OF HIM BECAUSE HE COULDN'T HANDLE HIM ANY MORE. MY GRAND-
FATHER COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE DOG COULDN'T BE HANDLED, SO HE
TOOK HIM OUT TO TEST HIM. THE DOG RAN AHEAD OF US AND IN A MINUTE
SCARED UP A QUAIL. POW! MY GRANDFATHER SHOT HIM. THEN THE DOG
SCARED UP ANOTHER ONE, BUT THIS ONE MY GRANDFATHER MISSED. THE
DOG TURNED AND GROWLED AT HIM. THE WHOLE THING TOOK PLACE AGAIN,
AND AGAIN THE DOG TURNED AND GROWLED. THEN WE FIGURED THAT THE
DOG WAS USED TO GOOD HUNTERS AND IT DIDN'T WANT TO DO ALL THAT
WORK FOR NOTHING. WE WERE GOING TO GO HOME, BUT WHEN MY GRAND-
FATHER WENT TO GET THE DOG, HE GROWLED AND THEN STARTED TO RUN
IN A WIDE CIRCLE IN THE FIELD. EVERY TIME MY GRANDFATHER MOVED,
THE DOG GROWLED SOME MORE.
THEN, A QUAIL FLEW UP FROM THE FIELD AND MY GRANDFATHER KILLED IT.
ANOTHER ONE FOLLOWED FROM THE SAME SPOT AND MY GRANDFATHER KILLED
IT. THIS WENT ON FOR AN HOUR. QUAIL AFTER QUAIL FLEW UP FROM THE
SAME SPOT AND WAS SHOT. I WENT OVER TO THE SPOT THEY WERE COMING
FROM, AND THERE WAS THE DOG WITH HIS PAW OVER THE OPEN END OF A
HOLLOW LOG. HE WAS LETTING THE QUAIL OUT ONE BY ONE THAT HE HAD
ROUNDED UP INTO THE LOG. HE GOT SO MAD AT MY GRANDFATHER MISSING
THE BIRDS THAT HE FIGURED OUT A SOLUTION TO KEEP ALL HIS WORK FROM
BEING WASTED.
Where learned: NORTHERN MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 08-15-1969
INDIAN LEGEND
THERE WAS A FAMINE IN THE LAND AND THE TRIBES DECIDED TO MAKE
A SACRIFICE OF THE CHIEF'S DAUGHTER TO THE SERPENT WHO WAS
CAUSING ALL THE TROUBLE. A BRAVE WAS IN LOVE WITH THE GIRL, SO
AFTER THE SERPENT KILLED HER, HE WENT AFTER THE SNAKE. BOTH
WERE KILLED, AND THE SNAKE FELL INTO THE RIVER. THE WATER
WASHED OVER IT AND FORMED NIAGRA FALLS.
Submitter comment: PETER HEARD THIS STORY IN ST. IGNACE FROM AN OLD ALGONQUIN:
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: 05-15-1965
THE MILK SNAKE
THE MILK SNAKE CRAWLS INTO A FARMER'S BARN AT NIGHT AND SUCKS ALL
OR NEARLY ALL OF THE MILK FROM THE COW BEFORE THE FARMER COMES
TO DO THE MILKING.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS LEARNED IN MY EARLY ADOLESCENT STAGE IN MY HOME TOWN.
THIS WAS SOMETHING LEARNED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WITH MY PLAY MATES.
THIS TALE IS A VERY SHORT VERSION OF AN ANECDOTE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PHILADELPHIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: CA06171966
Content filter on this entry.
SNAKES IN A DEPARTMENT STORE
LATE ONE SUMMER NIGHT IN 1971, A WOMAN WAS TRYING ON A COAT AT THE
K-MART STORE IN PORT HURON. WHEN SHE STUCK HER ARM IN ONE OF THE
SLEEVES, SHE EXPERIENCD WHAT FELT LIKE A HUNDRED PIN PRICKS. UPON
EXAMINATION SHE DISCOVERED A SCORE OF BABY SNAKES AND THEIR MOTHER
NESTING IN THE LINING OF THE SLEEVE. THE WOMAN WAS RUSHED TO THE
HOSPITAL AND GIVEN A POISON ANTIDOTE. THE COAT HAD BEEN MADE IN
AND SHIPPED DIRECTLY FROM A FAR EAST COUNTRY. THAT IS WHERE THE
SNAKES HAD COME FROM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL REPTILES
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal Filter - Mature Content |
Date learned: 10-30-1972
DEPARTMENT STORE LEGEND
THERE IS A STORY GOING AROUND KMART 4177 OF A SHIPMENT OF
CLOTHES FROM OVERSEAS THAT, WHEN OPENED, SNAKES WERE FOUND
INSIDE, MIXED IN WITH THE CLOTHES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): K-MART OR K MART DEPARTMENT STORE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-00-1972
THE SHAWANO LAKE MONSTER
THIS STORY WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD BY FR. ARNIE SHINKTON AT CAMP TIVOLI
WISCONSIN. THE STORY IS USUALLY TOLD TO BELIEVING 7-YEAR OLDS. IT
WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT AND SOME OF CABINERS WANTED TO SLEEP
OUT BY THE LAKE. THEY WENT TO THE CAMP DIRECTOR WHO WOULDN'T LET
THEM BECAUSE IT WAS RAINING OUT. BUT THEY WERE HEADSTRONG, SO AFTER
LIGHTS-OUT THEY WENT DOWN TO THE LAKE WITH THEIR SLEEPING BAGS. THE
CAMP COUNSELORS CHECKED THE GROUNDS AT NIGHT. THE YOUTHS SUCCESSFULLY
EVADED THE COUNSELORS AND PROMPTLY WENT TO SLEEP. THEY WERE
AWAKENED AT MIDNIGHT BY A TREMENDOUS STORM. THEY WERE AFRAID TO
RETURN TO THEIR CABINS FOR FEAR OF BEING CAUGHT.
SUDDENLY THEY WERE AWARE OF A STRANGE NOISE. SO ONE OF THEM TOOK
OUT HIS FLASHLIGHT AND SHINED IT AGAINST THE WATER. THE NARROW
AS THE BEAST APPROACHED THEM. ONE WAS ABLE TO GET UP AND RUN AWAY
BUT HE DIDN'T REALIZE HIS FRIEND WAS STUCK IN HIS SLEEPING BAG. HE
RAN UP TO THE CABINS AND AROUSED THE COUNSELORS. BUT, BY THE TIME
THEY REACHED THE SHORE IT WAS TOO LATE. ALL THEY FOUND OF THE
MISSING CAMPER WAS HIS SLEEPING BAG AND SHREDDED CLOTHES. THEY
STILL HEARD THE NOISE OF THE AWFUL BEAST AND RAN UP TO AROUSE
THE PRIEST. FR. BUTLER CAMP DIRECTOR SENT ONE OF THE COUNSELORS TO
THE RIFLE RANGE TO GET A GUN. THEY CALLED THE SHERIFF AND CAMP
CUSTODIAN NAMED BERT. FR. BUTLER LOADED THE GREAT SHOTGUN. THEY ALL
ARMED THEMSELVES AND WENT DOWN TO THE LAKE. FR. JOE
MAN, TOOK ONE OF THE ROWBOATS OUT TO THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE. THEY
TOOK A GIANT FLASHLIGHT AND PLAYED THE BEAM OVER THE WATER. AND
THERE IT WAS... THE SHAWANO LAKE MONSTER.
THE MONSTER REARED UP IN THE WATER AND CHARGED JOE'S BOAT.
JUST BEFORE IT REACHED JOE, SOMEONE YELLED, "FIRE" AND THEY
ALL SHOT AT THE MONSTER. THE BULLETS SEEMED TO HAVE NO EFFECT.
THE BEAST STRETCHED ITS FULL LENGTH REVEALING A WHITE SPOT
BELOW ITS TWO BEADY EYES. JOE YELLED "FIRE AT THE WHITE SPOT."
THE BEAST SUDDENLY LURCHED AND IT SOON BECAME APPARENT THAT HE
WAS MORTALLY WOUNDED. FINALLY THE BEAST DIED AND WAS DRAGGED
SHORE. THE NEXT DAY AFTER EVERYONE HAD INSPECTED THE BEAST
THEY CUT IT UP INTO SMALL PIECES. THEY WEIGHTED EACH PIECE
WITH LEAD AND DROPPED THEM IN THE DEEPEST PART OF THE LAKE.
TEN YEARS LATER, FARMERS ON THE LAKE BEGAN TO REPORT MISSING
ANIMALS. FOOTPRINTS WERE LEADING TO AND FROM THE LAKE.
CURIOSITY WAS AROUSED ABOUT THE DEAD MONSTER. SO THEY SENT
EXPERT TEAM DIVERS DOWN TO EXAMINE THE REMAINS. THEY FOUND
NOTHING. THIS LEADS TO SPECULATION THAT THE SHAWANO LAKE
MONSTER IS ALIVE AND LIVING IN QUICKSAND CREEK (A TRIBUTARY
OF THE LAKE). THEY EVEN SAY THAT ON STORMY NIGHTS, HE COMES
OUT LOOKING FOR VICTIMS.
James Callow comment:
AT LEAST ONE KEYPUNCH CARD SEEMS TO BE MISSING HERE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Still water Small body. Lake, pond.... |
Date learned: 12-07-1972
ABOUT A MOUSE, THAT WAS A CAT, DOG AND TIGER
IT IS SAID: THAT IF A TIGER HAS THE HEART OF A MOUSE, THEN IT
WOULD BE BETTER IF HE DIDN'T SEE OR MEET A CAT. ONE TIME, A CROW
WAS CARRYING A MOUSE IN HIS BEAK, AND FLYING OVER A FOREST WHEN HE
DROPPED IT. IN THAT FOREST LIVED A MAN THAT KNEW MAGIC. AND
THE MOUSE DROPPED DOWN BY THE MAN'S FEET. SEEING THE MOUSE,
THE MAN PICKED HIM UP AND CARRIED HIM INTO HIS HUT. MANY DAYS
THE MOUSE LIVED WITH THE MAN. THE MAN FED HIM, WATERED HIM
AND THE MOUSE WAS HAPPY. BUT ONE TIME, GOING OUT OF THE HUT,
HE SAW A BIG CAT NOT TOO FAR AWAY. HE RAN BACK INTO THE HUT,
CRAWLED INTO THE FARTHEST AND DARKEST CORNER AND SHOOK FROM FRIGHT.
SEEING THIS, THE MAN ASKED: "WHT'S WRONG? WHY ARE YOU SHAKING?"
"O MY GOOD MAN," SQUEEKED THE MOUSE, "NOT FAR AWAY FROM
OUR HUT I MET A CAT AND NOW I'M DYING FROM FRIGHT}" AFTER
THINKING FOR AWHILE, THE MAN SAID: "ALRIGHT, I'LL DO IT SO THAT
YOU'LL NEVER BE AFRAID OF CATS AGAIN} GO TO BED. IN THE
MORNING WHEN YOU WAKE UP, YOU'LL BE A CAT--NOT A MOUSE." THE MAN
DID AS HE PROMISED: THE MOUSE WOKE UP AS A CAT. "--NOW YOU DON'T
HAVE TO BE AFRAID OF CATS ANYMORE. YOU ARE A CAT YOURSELF,"
SAID THE MAN. HAPPILY, THE CAT-MOUSE RAN OUT OF THE HUT.
AND WHEN SHE WANTED TO TWIST AROUND IN THE SUN, SHE AGAIN SAW
THE CAT. THE POOR THING IMMEDIATELY FORGOT THAT SHE HERSELF WAS
A CAT, AND RAN BACK INTO THE HUT. "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?" ASKED
THE MAN. "HOW COME YOU'RE FRIGHTENED AGAIN?" THE CAT WAS
LIED. "I MET A DOG IN THE FOREST: HE STARTED CHASING ME AND I
BARELY MANAGED TO ESCAPE FROM HIM. THE MAN SAID AGAIN: "GO TO SLEEP.
IN THE MORNING YOU'LL WAKE UP AS A DOG, AND YOU WON'T HAVE TO
BE AFRAID OF DOGS ANYMORE." AND THAT'S HOW IT WAS: IN THE MORNING
THE CAT WOKE UP AS A DOG AND BARKING LOUDLY, RAN OUT OF THE
HUT. BUT NEARING A TREE SHE AGAIN SAW THE CAT. THE CAT ALSO
SAW THE DOG. SHE THOUGHT THAT THE DOG WAS GOING TO ATTACK,
SO SHE PREPARED TO DEFEND HERSELF, HISSED, LIFTED HER RIGHT PAW
AND LOUDLY MEOWD. HEARING THE CAT MEOWING, THE DOG RAN INTO THE
HUT FRIGHTENED. "WHAT FRIGHTENED YOU THIS TIME?" ASKED THE
MAN. THE DOG WAS ASHAMED TO ADMIT, THAT HE HAD BEEN FRIGHTENED
BY A CAT, SO AGAIN HE LIED: "O MY GOOD MAN, NOT FAR FROM
OUR HUT I MET A TIGER} UP TO NOW I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND
HOW I MANAGED TO GET AWAY ALIVE} "WELL, I'LL MAKE IT SO THAT
FROM NOW ON, YOU WON'T BE AFRAID OF ANYTHING. TOMORROW YOU
SHALL WAKE UP AS A TIGER." AND THAT'S HOW IT WAS: IN THE MORNING
THE DOG WOKE UP A TIGER AND DECIDED: "IT DOESN'T BEFIT ME,
RULER OF THE ANIMALS TO LIVE IN A MERE MAN'S HUT} I WILL GO INTO
THE FOREST AND LET THE OTHER ANIMALS TREMBLE AT MY POWER AND
BRAVERY}" THINKING THIS, THE TIGER STEPPED OUT OF THE HUT AND
HEADED FOR THE DARK JUNGLE. AND SUDDENLY HE SAW THE CAT. AND
THE CAT SAW THE TIGER. OUT OF FRIGHT, THE CAT'S FUR STOOD
ON END, BACK ARCHED AND EYES CRACKED FIRE. "NOW I'M DEAD}"
THOUGHT THE CAT. "FROM THE TIGER I WILL NOT ESCAPE}" THE TIGER,
IN WHOSE BREAST BEAT THE HEART OF A MOUSE, SAW THE CRACKLING
EYES AND IMMEDIATELY RAN OFF TO THE MAN'S HUT. HE SHOT INTO THE
HOUSE, CRAMPED HIMSELF INTO THE FARTHEST CORNER AND LAYED
THERE WITH TEETH CHATTERING OUT OF FRIGHT. THE MAN WAS
SUPRISED: "HOW COME YOU ARE TREMBLING AGAIN? IS THERE IN OUR
LAND AN ANIMAL STRONGER THAN THE TIGER?" "THERE IS..." WHISPERED
THE TIGER. "WHAT IS HE?" ASKED THE SUPRISED MAN. "A..A..
CAT}" THEN THE MAN UNDERSTOOD AND SAID: "A TIGER, IN WHOSE
BREAST BEATS THE HEART OF A MOUSE, IS WEAKER THAN A CAT. LET HIM,
THAT HAS A HEART OF A MOUSE, ALWAYS BE A MOUSE. HAVING SAID
THIS, THE MAN TURNED THE TIGER BACK INTO A POOR LITTLE MOUSE.
Submitter comment:
(THIS IS THE TALE RETOLD AND ILLUSTRATED BY MARCIA BROWN
AS "ONCE A MOUSE"9)
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): TRANSFORMATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
ALLIGATORS
ONE NIGHT A COUPLE LYING ON MIAMI BEACH IN FLORIDA WERE
ATTACKED BY AN ALLIGATOR WHICH THEY SAID CAME OUT OF THE OCEAN.
Submitter comment: ALLIGATORS DON'T LIVE IN SALT WATER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 16172 DEXTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY THE COLLECTOR
HORSE WITHOUT A RIDER
ABOUT 23 YEARS AGO FR. CAPANO WENT ON A MISSIONARY JOURNEY TO
AFRICA. THERE WERE FIFTEEN OTHER PRIESTS AND NUNS THAT ACCOMPANIED
HIM. ONE AFTERNOON AS THEY WERE SLOWLY RIDING ON THEIR HORSES THEY
DECIDED TO TAKE A SHORT REST. AFTER DISMOUNTING, THEY ALL REALIZED
THAT ONE OF THE PRIESTS WAS GONE. AFTER BACK-TRACKING ABOUT 100 FEET
THEY FOUND THE PRIEST'S HORSE WITHOUT THE PRIEST. ABOUT 8 INCHES
AWAY FROM THE HORSE, THEY SAW A PYTHON ( SNAKE ) EXPANDING.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal |
Date learned: 03-28-1968
TALE
THERE IS A STORY OF A WOMAN WHO OPENED A CAN OF TOMATO SOUP AND
POURED IT INTO A POT. BUT ALONG WITH THE SOUP CAME A WHOLE MOUSE.
SINCE THEN THE WOMAN HAS TO TAKE PILLS IN ORDER TO EAT ANY FOOD.
Submitter comment: COOKING AND CANNING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
THE HOUSE AT LAKE ORION
GRANDMA (JENNY TORRANCE) HAD A HOUSE AT LAKE ORION. THE WIFE
OF THE MAN WHO BUILT THE HOUSE DIED WHEN HE WAS HALF WAY THROUGH.
I THINK THAT'S WHY THE HOUSE IS HAUNTED. ONE NIGHT WHEN JEAN WAS
STILL HERE (SHE DIED IN 1922) SHE WAS SLEEPING BETWEEN HER MOTHER
AND FATHER IN THE BIG ROOM UPSTAIRS. JEAN LET OUT A TERRIBLE SCREAM
AND HER MOTHER PUT HER HAND OVER ON HER TO COMFORT HER.
SHE FELT SOME KIND OF ANIMAL, BUT WHEN SHE LOOKED, NOTHING
WAS THERE. THE NEXT NIGHT HER COUSIN BOB GLANTZ WAS IN THE
BATHROOM AND HE RAN OUT SCREAMING,
HE SAID HE SAW AN ANIMAL IN THERE AND IT HAD BIG EARS THAT STUCK OUT
ON EACH SIDE. THE HOUSE WAS SEARCHED AGAIN AND STILL THEY COULD
NOT FIND ANYTHING.
POOR GRANDMA A COUPLE OF NIGHTS BEFORE SHE DIED IN THAT HOUSE THE
DOORKNOB ON HER ROOM KEPT TURNING.
GRANDMA TOLD FORTUNES, BUT SHE DIDN'T WANT TO, BECAUSE SHE ALWAYS
HAD BAD LUCK AFTERWARD. MAYBE SHE WAS THE KIND OF PERSON WHO
ATTRACTED GHOSTS.
Data entry tech comment: CORRECTED WORDING IN LAST SENTENCE, TOOK OUT UNNECESSARY COMMAS.
Where learned: WILLIAMS LAKE
Keyword(s): MANIFESTATIONS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
LEGEND
ON BLISS STREET IN DETROIT, NEIGHBORS TELL OF A LOST TURTLE THAT
WILL ONE DAY RETURN AND GOBBLE
A CHILD BECAUSE IT WILLHAVE GROWN SO
LARGE AND GOTTEN SO OLD AND HUNGRY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. IT APPEARS
THAT A WOMAN HAD SEVERAL PET TURTLES WHICH SHE LOVED AND TO HELP
GIVE THEM THE EXERCISE THEY NEEDED, SHE WOULD RELEASE THEM
IN HER YARD KEEPING A CAREFUL WATCH OVER THEM SO NO BIRD WOULD ATTAC
OR EAT THEM. ONE DAY, SHE LOST ONE AND THOUGH SHE SEARCHED FOR
HOURS, SHE JUST COULD NOT FIND IT. THE NEIGHBORS ALSO JOINED IN
AND HELPED HER BUT THE TURTLE COULD NOT BE FOUND ANYWHERE. THE
LADY ALWAYS HOPED THAT THE TURTLE WOULD COME BACK AND BE HER
FRIEND, BUT, OF COURSE THE TURTLE NEVER DID AND SO THE LADY HAS FELT
HE WILL COME BACK AT A LATER DATE AND DEVOUR A CHILD IN REVENGE FOR
HER CARELESSNESS IN WATCHING THE LITTLE ANIMAL AND NOT PROTECTING
HIM WHEN HE NEEDED HER HELP.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
LEGEND-HARBOR SERPENT
A CREATURE WAS SEEN IN A AROUND GLOUCESTER HARBOR MANY TIMES DURING
THE SUMMER OF 1817. IT HAD A LONG, SERPENTINE BODY-SOME PEOPLE
GUESSED 100 FEET OR MORE. IT MOVED SWIFTLY THROUGH THE WATER
WITH GIANT UNDULATIONS. THE HEAD WAS HIDEOUSLY SHAPED AND A LONG
TONGUE FLICKED FROM ITS MOUTH. THE MONSTER MADE NO SOUND AND
IGNORED PEOPLE WHO APPROACHED IT. IN MID-AUGUST 12 PEOPLE SIGNED
DEPOSITIONS, SWEARING TO THEIR DESCRIPTION OF THE SERPENT. LATE
THAT MONTH IT LEFT THE HARBOR. IT WAS SPOTTED IN LONG ISLAND
SOUND ON OCTOBER 3 AND 5. MANY PEOPLE HUNTED THE SERPENT AFTER
THAT, BUT IT WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): MONSTERS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR