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VIPER SNAKE
INFORMANT TOLD ME OF A LOCAL SNAKE SHE REMEMBERED FROM
HER CHILDHOOD, WHICH HAD IMPRESSED HER. THIS SNAKE,
CALLED THE SPREADING VIPER, WOULD BE THE OBJECT OF
SEVERAL SNAKE HUNTS IN HER HOME STATE OF KENTUCKY.
THE SNAKE WAS DESCRIBED AS LOOKING "LIKE A LONG, LONG,
STICK." WHEN THE SNAKE GOT NERVOUS OR EXCITED, ITS
BODY WOULD SWELL UP TWO OR THREE INCHES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal |
Date learned: 11-29-1971
THE FIRST THUNDER MEANT THE SNAKES WERE AWAKE. SO
YOU WATCHED FOR SNAKES AFTER THE FIRST THUNDER IN
THE SPRING.
Submitter comment:
BOTH HELD THIS IN POPULAR TRADITION IN THEIR HOMES
IN GLOUCESTER AND HOLLISTER, OHIO
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; DETROIT ; GLOUCESTER ; HOLLISTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
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
| 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
| 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 |
Date learned: 02-20-1968
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 |
Date learned: 08-15-1969
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
Belle Meade Ghost
The barn of the Belle Meade house was haunted. There was an old sway back horse who lived there and when he died his ghost came back to the barn. "I think there was supposed to be an old man who haunted it too but I can't remember."
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal |
Belle Meade Ghost
The barn of the Belle Meade house was haunted. There was an old sway back horse who lived there and when he died his ghost came back to the barn. "I think there was supposed to be an old man who haunted it too but I can't remember."
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal |
A beer brewery in Houston, Texas, went out of business because of rats. At night, rats would walk along the rims of vats and taste the beer. They would become drunk and fall in. Unknowingly, the workers would bottle the beer for sale and it would not be uncommon to pull a rat out of one's beer can.
Submitter comment:
Informant--my uncle--claims that this story is true but . . .
Where learned: TEXAS ; HOUSTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- B447 |
Curse of a Cat
There lived a man with his face covered with black fur like a cat in the village of agricultural district of Japan. His mother extremely hated a black cat before he was born and treated it very badly and cruelly killed it. After she bore him she was dead with severe pain and everybody was surprised at seeing the baby's face covered with black fur.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: JAPAN ; HIROSHIMA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal BELIEF -- Birth |
Legend
At the beginning of Meiji era when a means of transportation was not progressed his grandfather went shopping to buy two pieces of fried bean curd by walking six miles. On his way home he heard someone's voice behind him and he stopped to see who it was. But whenever he stopped the voice stopped and he finally reached his home. He thought it strange but hit upon important thing; that is, there is a mountain inhabited by foxes on his way home. To make sure, he left a piece of fried bean curd outside and after a while he looked at the place where he put it. As he expected it had disappeared.
Many people especially Shintoist thought of fox as messengers of God and deified it in the shrine. They offered fried bean curd to the shrine as it was supposed to be the most favorite food for foxes, In most cases in the agricultural area people made shrines in the mountains near each village.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant probably first learned this in Japan.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal |