LEGEND OF THE WINDEGOE

A LARGE BIRD CALLED THE WINDEGOE WITH SPIRIT-LIKE QUALITIES
OFTEN CAME OUT OF THE SWAMP AND THREATENED OR ATE PEOPLE OF
THAT AREA (EAGLE LAKE, MICHIGAN). IT COULD NOT BE CAUGHT OR SHOT
BECAUSE THIS WAS IMPOSSIBLE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAGLE LAKE

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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

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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THE HEN-PECKED DEVIL

SEVERAL HUNDRED YEARS AGO THE MAYOR OF HAMBURG, GERMANY,
CONTRACTED TO HAVE A BRIDGE BUILT OVER THE ELBE. THE CONTRACTOR
PROMISED TO HAVE THE JOB COMPLETED BY A CERTAIN DATE, BUT,
BECAUSE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, HE WAS HOPELESSLY BEHIND SCHEDULE.
SINCE THE BUILDER KNEW THAT THE MAYOR WOULD NOT FULFILL HIS END
OF THE CONTRACT UNLESS THE BRIDGE WAS COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE
SPRING FESTIVALS, HE MADE A PACT WITH THE DEVIL FOR ITS COMPLE-
TION. THE DEVIL WOULD COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION IN RETURN FOR THE
SOUL OF THE FIRST PERSON TO CROSS THE BRIDGE.
WHEN THE BRIDGE WAS COMPLETED AND TO BE DEDICATED, THE MAYOR AND
BUILDER ARGUED WITH ONE ANOTHER ABOUT WHO SHOULD BE THE FIRST TO
WALK ACROSS THE SPAN. THE MAYOR, SUSPECTING SOMETHING WAS AMISS
BECAUSE OF THE JOB'S RAPID COMPLETION, INSISTED THAT THE BUILDER
PROCEED FIRST. IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS, THE BUILDER HAD TUCKED
A HEN UNDER HIS COAT. WHEN HE APPROACHED THE MIDWAY MARK OF THE
BRIDGE WHERE THE DEVIL WAS LURKING BEHIND A COLUMN, HE THREW THE
HEN OUT TO HIM. THE DEVIL SEIZED THE BIRD, BUT WHEN HE SAW THAT
HIS CATCH WAS ONLY A HEN, HE THREW IT DOWN IN DISGUST. THE
DEVIL'S ANGER WAS SUCH THAT THE HEN WENT CLEAN THROUGH THE BRIDGE,
AND TO THIS DAY THERE IS A HOLD IN THE BRIDGE WHICH WILL NOT BE
FILLED.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD TALE FROM A GERMAN PHILOSOPHY PROFESSOR AT
GANNON COLLEGE, ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE ; GANNON COLLEGE

Date learned: 10-23-1965

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HOW THE HUNGARIAN SCISSORBILL BIRD RECEIVED ITS NAME

THIS BIRD RECEIVED ITS NAME BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT, WHEN CHRIST
WAS CRUCIFIED, THIS BIRD WAS ALLEGED TO HAVE TRIED TO PULL THE
NAILS OUT AND THUS RECEIVED ITS TWISTED BILL.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED FROM HER GRANDMOTHER.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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OWL MYTH

THE OWLS OF CANADA LAY UP A STORE OF LIVE MICE FOR THE WINTER,
THE LEGS OF WHICH THEY FIRST BREAK, TO PREVENT THEM FROM RUNNING
AWAY, AND THEN FEED THEM CAREFULLY, AND FATTEN THEM, TILL WANTED
FOR USE.

Submitter comment: TOLD BY FRENCH TRAVELLER, PIERRE CHARLEVOIX.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

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TALL TALE

THE CROPS IN IRELAND WERE SO POOR ONE YEAR BECAUSE OF A DROUGHT,
THAT THE CROWS HAD TO GET DOWN ON THEIR KNEES TO EAT THE GRAIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-00-1970

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BELIEF IN PARAGUAY

THE PEASANT PEOPLE OF THE COAST BELIEVE THAT IN PAST TIMES, THERE
WAS AN INDIAN GIRL OUT LOOKING FOR HER BROTHER AND THE FOREST
DEMONS HAD TURNED HIM INTO A BIRD AND THE BIRD IS CALLED THE
CHUQUI BIRD. IT IS ALSO BELIEVED THAT THE LOST SOUL OF THE BOY
IS CONTAINED IN THIS BIRD AND THE PEOPLE FEEL THAT IT IS GOOD
LUCK TO FIND THIS BIRD.

Submitter comment: MR. MARCHETT WAS TOLD THIS WHILE HE LIVED IN LATIN AMERICA. HE
TOLD IT TO A FRIEND OF MINE WHO WORKED WITH HIM AT IRA WILSON
& SONS CREAMERY IN DETROIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 02-28-1970

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LEGEND OF THE CUCKOO BIRD

IN SOME REMOTE VILLAGE OF MACEDONIA, WOMEN WILL TELL YOU THAT IF
YOU WAKE UP EARLY IN (THE) MORNING AND HEAR THE SOUND OF THE
CUCKOO BIRD, THERE WILL BE A DEATH OF A CLOSE RELATIVE. TO
AVOID THIS, YOU MUST GET SOME LIQUID OR FOOD INTO YOU BEFORE YOU
HEAR THE CUCKOO. A WOMAN NAMED SOPHIA ONCE WOKE UP EARLY AND,
AS SHE WAS LYING (IN) BED, SHE HEARD THE CUCKOO. THAT DAY SHE
GOT NEWS THAT HER SISTER IN THE NEXT VILLAGE HAD DIED.

Submitter comment: JAMES'S FATHER RELATED THIS STORY TO HIM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 12-05-1967

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LEGEND: THE WHITE EAGLE

AN OLD LEGEND TELLS THAT 3 PRINCELY BROTHERS LIVED SOMEWHERE IN
THE WIDE STRETCHES OF COUNTRY BETWEEN THE BALTIC AND THE BLACK
SEA. THEIR NAMES WERE LECH, CZECH, AND RUTH.
THE FIRST TOOK THE NORTHERN LANDS AND BECAME KING OF THE LECHITES
OR POLES. THE SECOND REIGNED IN THE SOUTH, AND FOUNDED BOHEMIA,
THE CZECH KINGDOM; AND THE THIRD, RUTH, WENT TO THE EAST AND
REIGNED OVER THE RUTHENIANS.
PRINCE LECH WHILE HUNTING FOUND A NEST OF WHITE EAGLES WITH MALE
AND FEMALE TYPES. SUCH BIRDS WERE ABSOLUTELY UNKNOWN IN THOSE
PARTS. THIS WAS LOOKED UPON AS A PROPHETIC SIGN BY THE PRINCE.
HE DECIDED TO FOUND HIS CAPITOL THERE, CALLING IT GNIEGN, WHICH
MEANS "NEST TOWN," SAYING "HERE SHALL BE OUR NEST."
HE CHOSE AS HIS EMBLEM THE WHITE EAGLE, WHICH APPEARS WEARING
A CROWN ON ITS HEAD IN THE COAT OF ARMS OF POLAND. IN FACT,
POLAND IS OFTEN CALLED THE LAND OF THE WHITE EAGLE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Date learned: 10-02-1968

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A LEGEND OF POLAND'S BEGINNING

IN THE MOUNTAINS OF CHARWOYA THERE ARE TWO PROMINENT HEIGHTS,
KRAPINA AND PSARY, WITH RUINS OF CASTLES ON THEM. IT IS SAID
THAT THERE LIVED THREE BROTHERS, PAGAN SLAVIC PRINCES--LECH,
CZECH, AND RUS--SONS OF THE NOBLEMAN PANANOW. THEIR SISTER
WYLINDA, WHO FELL IN LOVE WITH AN ENEMY LEADER, CAUSED WAR UPON
THE SLAVIC ARMY AND A GREAT DEFEAT. THEY GAVE THEIR SISTER THE
DEATH PENALTY AND THEN LEFT THEIR HOME FOR GOOD.
THIS (WAS) ABOUT THE YEAR 550 A.D. WHEN THE BROTHERS CROSSED THE
DUNAJ RIVER AND WENT THEIR SEPARATE WAYS. LECH WENT WITH HIS
LEAGUE OF MEN TO THE RIVER WARTA, NEAR THE LAKE GOPTO, WHERE A
SLAVIC GROUP CALLED POLAMIE LIVED. WHEN HE ARRIVED AT SUNSET,
HE SAW A NEST IN THE TREES FROM WHERE A WHITE EAGLE HAD JUST
FLOWN OUT. AT THAT PLACE HE DECIDED TO SETTLE, NAMING THE
PLACE GNIEGNO (MEANING "NEST") AND FOUNDING THE KINGDOM NAMED
POLAKOMI (MEANING "AFTER LECH"). THE KINGDOM THEN TOOK AS THEIR
COAT OF ARMS THE HWITE EAGLE WITH OPEN WINGS FOR FLIGHT IN THE
FIELD OF RED.
IT IS ALSO TOLD THAT, AFTER MANY YEARS, THE BROTHERS OF LECH,
CZECH (FROM WHOM CAME THE CZECHS) AND RUS (THE FOUNDER OF THE
RUSSIAN PEOPLE) MET AGAIN AT THIS SAME PLACE. HERE THERE WAS A
CITY BUILT SOON AFTER IN HONOR OF THIS MEETING CALLED POZNAN.
IN POLISH IT MEANS "A MEETING." THIS CITY EXISTS TO THIS DAY,
POZNAN OR POSEN, POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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CHICKEN BONE REEF

OLD TIMERS ABOUT THE GREAT LAKES ALL TALKED ABOUT "CHICKEN BONE
REEF," BUT NO ONE HAD EVER SEEN IT, AND NO CHART SHOWED IT; BUT
ANY SAILOR WOULD TELL YOU THAT IT WAS IN THE DETROIT RIVER JUST
OFF WOODWARD AVENUE. IT WAS HERE THAT THE GOVERNMENT REVENUE
CUTTER "FESSENDON" AND THE NAVY GUNBOAT "MICHIGAN" AND OTHERS
USED TO ANCHOR FOR LONG TIMES. ORDINARY MERCHANT SAILORS CLAIMED
THAT "CHICKEN BONE REEF" WAS BUILT UP FROM THE RIVER BOTTOM BY
ALL THE CHICKEN BONES THAT WERE THROWN OVERBOARD FROM THE TABLES
OF THE SHIPS ANCHORED THERE.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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TALKING PET

A MAN WHO WANTED A PET PARROT SAW A SIGN SAYING "BANKRUPTCY SALE"
IN THE WINDOW OF A PET SHOP. HE WENT INSIDE AND BEGAN BIDDING FOR
A BEAUTIFUL PARROT HE SAW. HE BID HIGHER AND HIGHER UNTIL THE BIRD
WAS FINALLY HIS. HE THEN ASKED THE AUCTIONEER IF THE BIRD COULD
TALK. "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK WAS BIDDING AGAINST YOU ALL THE
TIME?" SAID THE PARROT.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname.

Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE

Date learned: 00-00-1972

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CUCKOO MOTHER

A LONG, LONG TIME AGO, A WIDOW MOTHER LIVED ON A FARM WITH HER
THREE SONS; STRONG AS OAK TREES AS BROAD AS TREE-TRUNKS. THEY
LIVED MANY YEARS HAPPILY, EVERYONE'S RESPECTED, TILL HER SONS
GREW UP. AND WHEN THEY GREW UP, THE KING INVITED THEM TO RIDE
WITH HIM INTO WAR. ONE RODE OUT TO THE EAST, ANOTHER TO THE SOUTH,
AND THE THIRD, THE YOUNGEST--TO THE WEST. WHEN THEY RODE OUT,
THROUGH THE THREE YEARS NOT ONE SENT ANY WORD AND THE MOTHER
DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER THEY WERE ALIVE OR DEAD. SHE CRIED, BUT
DIDN'T GIVE UP HOPE, THAT SOMEDAY THEY WILL RETURN, TO CALM
HER OLD DAYS. BUT WHEN THE THIRD SPRING CAME, SHE WENT OUT
ON TOP OF A HILL AND SAW, THAT A HORSE WAS RIDING EMPTY-SADDLED.
AND SHE RECOGNIZED IT AS HER OLDEST SON'S HORSE. SHE
RECOGNIZED AND REALIZED, THAT HER OLDEST SON WAS NO LONGER ALIVE.
AND WHEN SHE REALIZED THIS, SHE CRIED FOR THREE DAYS AND THREE
NIGHTS. BUT THE PEOPLE TOLD HER: "DON'T CRY, THAT YOUR SON DIED
IN WAR. GOD GAVE, AND GOD TAKETH AWAY. BETTER YOU ASK HIM TO
RETURN YOUR OTHER TWO SONS WELL." WHILE THEY WERE CALMING HER,
THEY SAW A SECOND HORSE COME GALLOPING UP, NEIGHING AS IF
WEEPING HIMSELF. THE REIGNS PULLED OFF, THE SADDLE SPLASHED WITH
BLOOD AND THE HORSE ITSELF WOUNDED. HE RAN UP TO THE GATE, KNELT
DOWN ON ALL FOURS AND FELL OVER DEAD. AND THE MOTHER RECOGNIZED
THAT THE SECOND HORSE BROUGHT HER PAINFUL NEWS. SHE BEGAN TO CRY
EVEN MORE PAINFULLY, THAT NOW HER SECOND SON WAS DEAD. THE
PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW TO COMFORT HER NOW. "IF ONLY. LORD, I KNEW
WHERE MY SONS LIE. WITH A FOX I'D RUN THERE, WITH A BIRD I'D FLY
THERE, ON THEIR GRAVES I WOULD CRY." SHE CRIED DAY AND NIGHT,
CURSING HER FUTURE, WAITING FOR HER YOUNGEST SON. BUT WHILE
SHE WAS CRYING, THE THIRD HORSE CAME HOME, TOO, INJURED AND
WOUNDED. HE RAN UP TO THE GATES, NEIGHED SORROWFULLY AND
KNEELING ON ALL FOURS, FELL OVER DEAD. THE MOTHER RECOGNIZED THAT
NOW HER THIRD SON WOULDN'T COME HOME. SHE FELL TO THE GROUND
FROM THE GRIEF AND TURNED INTO A CUCKOO BIRD, CUCKOOD IN A
SORROWFUL WAY AND FLEW AWAY TO FOREIGN LANDS IN SEARCH OF HER
SONS: SHE FLIES AND HUNTS FOR THEM YEAR ROUND IN THE STRANGE LANDS,
AND IN THE SPRING TIME COMES HOME, FLIES THROUGH THE FORESTS,
CRYING FOR HER SONS. AND WHEN THE DAY COMES THAT THE YOUNGEST
SON'S HORSE CAME HOME, SHE AGAIN FLIES OUT TO THE FOREIGN LANDS
TO SEARCH FOR THEM. AND THAT'S HOW IT ALWAYS WAS, AND ALWAYS WILL
BE....

Submitter comment: (TRANSLATED FROM LITHANIA BY RAMUNE M. STONYS)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Keyword(s): BIRDS, ANIMALS, TRANSFORMATION

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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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

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MR. SPRINGY

MY GRANDFATHER TOLD THE STORY OF A CERTAIN MR. SPRINGY WHO CAME TO
HIS FEEDER EACH MORNING TO RECEIVE HIS DAILY RATION OF SEED. YOU SEE
MR. SPRINGY WAS A ROBIN AND MY GRANDFATHER BELIEVED THAT ROBINS
WERE A SYMBOL OF GOOD LUCK. IF A ROBIN CAME TO YOUR FEEDER IN THE
MORNING AND SANG LOUDLY, IT MEANT THAT YOU WOULD HAVE GOOD LUCK AND
THAT THE DAY WOULD BE FILLED WITH JOY AND PEACE. IF, HOWEVER, THE
ROBIN DID NOT SING, THEN YOU KNEW THAT THE DAY WOULD BE BAD.
MR. SPRINGY REPRESENTED THE BEST OF EVERYTHING AS FAR AS MY
GRANDFATHER WAS CONCERNED. HE WOULD TELL THE STORY OF MR. SPRINGY,
REGAL FELLOW WHO WOULD SING A BREAKFAST SONG WHILE PERCHED HIGH ON
BARN. MY GRANDFATHER CONSIDERED THIS TO
BE THE MORNING PRAYER OF
THANKS FOR THE GOODNESS OF GOD WHICH WAS TO BE SHOWN THAT DAY. MR.
SPRINGY WAS WISE AND KNEW OF ALL SORTS
OF THINGS INCLUDING VERY COMPLEX
THEOLOGICAL NOTIONS. THE BIRD REPRESENTED
ALL THE GOOD THINGS IN LIFE
WHICH INCLUDED WEALTH, HEALTH, SUCCESS
AND BEAUTY. THE DAY WOULD BE
GOOD IF MR. SPRINGY SANG LOUDLY. A POOR SONG WARNED MY GRANDFATHER T
BE CAREFUL IN BUSINESS DEALINGS
THAT DAY AND SINCE MY GRANDFATHER
WAS THE PRESIDENT OF L.A. YOUNG WIRE
WIRE CO, SUCH ADVICE WOULD BE CAREFULLY
HEEDED. A SONG WAS WORTH MY GRANDFATHER'S SMILE AND NOD OF APPROVAL
FOR PAY. IT WAS EVEN WORTH A SPECIAL
HOME FOR MR. SPRINGY WHICH WAS A
RUSTIC AND STURDY CABIN, MADE OUT OF STRONG PINE WOOD. BURNED IN TH
WOOD OF THE UNDERSIDE WERE THE WORDS: "TO A CERTAIN MR. SPRINGY, KIN
OF THE AIR". INDEED, THE ROBIN DESERVED HIS TITLE OF RECOGNITION.
MY GRANDFATHER WOULD TELL THE STORY
WITH DELIGHT. IT WAS ALMOST AS IF HE
COULD REMEMBER THE WAY MR. SPRINGY LOOKED. HE WASN'T JUST ANY
ROBIN, YOU KNOW. THE OLD SONG MR. SPRINGY SANG MUST HAVE STILL RANG
IN MY GRANDFATHER'S EARS. IT WAS A CERTAIN SIGN OF THE BEST OF TIMES
AFTER HEARING THE STORY SEVERAL TIMES, I ASKED MY GRANDFATHER
WHAT IT WAS THAT MADE MR. SPRINGY LEAVE. MY GRANDFATHER DID NOT TELL
ME. HE SAID HE DID NOT KNOW AND HE REMINDED ME THAT MR. SPRINGY
STAYED WITH HIM FOR EIGHT YEARS AND THAT WAS A LONG TIME FOR FRIENDS
TO MEAN THE SAME THING TO EACH OTHER. I NEVER PUSHED FOR A FURTHER
EXPLANATION. BEING TOO YOUNG TO REALLY UNDERSTAND, I WAS CONTENT TO
LISTEN TO MORE STORIES ABOUT THE VICTORY GARDENS AND POLO HORSES.
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, I BROUGHT UP THE OLD STORY OF MR. SPRINGY AT
FAMILY DINNER. MY GREAT-AUNT FINISHED
THE STORY IN TEARS: "THE BIRD SANG HIS
SONG FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, BUT THERE WAS NO FOOD
TO GIVE HIM. THE DEPRESSION
ERA LEFT HARDLY ENOUGH FOR OURSELVES
CAME BACK AFTER THAT. HE
UNDERSTOOD THAT THE STOCK MARKET HAD CRASHED FOR HE WAS A BIRD WITH
GREAT WISDOM AND POWER. YOUR GRANDFATHER BELIEVED IN HIM. I CAN STIL
REMEMBER WHEN YOUR GRANDFATHER GAVE HIM HIS LAST TASTY MORSEL OF OLD
RAISIN BREAD THAT FELL IN EXCESS FROM OUR TABLE. THE TWO SEEMED TO
KNOW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. THEY HAD AN AGREEMENT, THOUGH. MR.
SPRINGY'S HOUSE WAS NOT TO BE TORN DOWN NO MATTER WHAT. AND SO THAT
OLD RUSTIC HOUSE REMAINED ON TOP OF
THAT OLD BARN FOR NEARLY TWENTY FIVE
YEARS UNTIL THE BARN ITSELF WAS TORN
DOWN AND REPLACED BY THE NEW
ALUMINUM GARAGE. BARNS WERE FOR BIRDS, ANIMALS
AND PEOPLE. GARAGES ARE
MERELY FOR CEMENT AND CARS. MR. SPRINGY
WAS LIKE SO MANY OTHER FAITHFUL
SINGERS OF DREAMS THAT NEVER CAME TRUE
AND FRIENDSHIPS THAT NEVER
FAILED."

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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WHY PEACOCKS' FEATHERS HAVE AN EYE IN THEM.

DURING THE CRUCIFICTION, PEACOCKS WANDERED BELOW THE CROSS, PECKING
AT THE BODIES ON THE CROSSES. DROPS OF BLOOD FELL ON TO THEIR
FEATHERS. THESE STAINS BECAME THE EYES ON THE PEACOCKS' FEATHERS.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CRUCIFIXION

Date learned: 03-00-1980

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RIDDLE

CUSTOMER: HOW MUCH IS THAT BIRD?
CLERK: TEN DOLLARS, MA'AM.
CUSTOMER: I'LL TAKE IT. WILL YOU SEND ME THE BILL?
CLERK: SORRY, MA'AM. YOU'LL HAVE TO TAKE THE
WHOLE BIRD.

Where learned: SAINT LEONARD SCHOOL ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Date learned: 09-28-1965

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CHRIST AND THE ROBINS

THE REASON ROBINS HAVE RED BREASTS ARE BECAUSE WHEN CHRIST WAS
DYING ON THE CROSS BIRDS SNUGGLED UP THEIR BREASTS TO CHRIST'S
WOUNDS, IN ORDER TO CATCH THE FLOWING BLOOD. IN RETURN FOR THEIR
GOOD DEED CHRIST GAVE THEM THEIR RED BREASTS IN RECOGNITION FOR
THEIR DEED.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM A GRADE SCHOOL SISTER IN SECOND GRADE
AT HOLY NAME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CRUCIFIXION

Date learned: 03-31-1967

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THE BUZZARDS HAVE RETURNED TO HINCKLEY OHIO YEARLY ON
MARCH 15 FOR MANY YEARS, WHEN FROZEN CARCASSES FROM A
CHRISTMAS EVE COMMUNITY HUNT BEGAN DEFROSTING AS SPRING
APPROACHED. PEOPLE WEARING BUZZARDS COSTUMES WAIT FOR
THE BUZZARDS WHO ROOST ON ROCKY LEDGES IN A NEARBY
LAKE. THIS USUALLY MARKS THE END OF THE WINTER SEASON.
THE CARCASSES ARE THERE EVERY YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW

Keyword(s): BIRDS ; DATE ; SEASONS

Date learned: 00001980S

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