MARCHEN

ONCE THERE WAS A KING WHO HAD THREE SONS AND THEY WERE ALL
BELOVED. BEHIND THE KING'S PALACE THERE WAS A LARGE AREA WITH
SILKEN GRASS. THE GUARDS TOLD THE KING THAT THEY SAW A MYSTER-
IOUS ANIMAL GRAZE THERE, A BEAUTIFUL WHITE STALLION, BUT THEY
COULD NEVER CATCH IT. THE ELDEST SON OF THE KING GOT PERMISSION
FROM HS FATHER TO TRY TO CAPTURE THE STALLION. AS HE WAS GOING
HE MET A LITTLE MOUSE. THE MOUSE ASKED FOR A LITTLE SOMETHING
TO EAT BUT THE SON TOLD HIM TO GET AWAY. THE ELDEST SON LAID
DOWN IN THE GRASS TO WAIT FOR THE HORSE, BUT A SOFT MILD WIND
LULLED HIM TO SLEEP AND WHEN HE WOKE UP IT WAS VERY LATE. EXACTLY
THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE SECOND SON. FINALLY, AFTER MUCH
PLEADING THE YOUNGEST SON WAS ALLOWED TO GO. THE LITTLE MOUSE
ASKED HIM FOR SOME FOOD AND THE BOY GAVE HIM SOME FROM HIS POCKET.
AS HE RODE AWAY THE LITTLE MOUSE SAID, "A GOOD DEED DESERVES A
GOOD DEED" BUT THE BOY COULDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW A LITTLE MOUSE
COULD EVER DO ANYTHING FOR HIM. THE PRINCE LAID DOWN IN THE
GRASS AND HE TOO WAS LULLED ASLEEP BY THE SOFT, MILD WIND. BUT
THE MOUSE NIBBLED ON HIS EAR AND WOKE HIM UP. WHEN HE WOKE UP
HE SAW THE BEAUTIFUL HORSE. HE JUMPED UP ON THE HORSE'S BACK AND
RIGHT AWAY. THE HORSE DISAPPEARED AND THERE WAS A BEAUTIFUL GIRL,
THE FAIRYLIKE ILONA. SHE EXPLAINED TO THE PRINCE THAT SHE HAD
BEEN TRANSFORMED. SHE HAD NEEDED SOMEONE TO STAY AWAKE TO MOUNT
HER. THE KING TOLD HIS SON THAT HE COULD MARRY THE GIRL AND HE
GAVE THEM A BIG WEDDING.
"HERE'S THE END, NOW RUN AWAY WITH IT."

Submitter comment: DR. DAMIN LEARNED THIS STORY FROM HER MOTHER IN HUNGARY. SHE
SAYS THAT MOST OF THE TALES SHE HEARD AS A CHILD ENDED WITH THIS
TRADITIONAL ENDING TRANSLATED FROM THE HUNGARIAN.

Where learned: HUNGARY

Date learned: 01-00-1964

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TALE

A BOY AND HIS SISTER ARE WALKING THROUGH A FOREST AND THEY CAME TO
A STREAM. THE BOY BENDS OVER TO TAKE A DRINK BUT THE GIRL TELLS
HIM NOT TO BECAUSE IT'S ENCHANTED. HE DIDN'T LISTEN TO HER AND HE
TURNED INTO A DEER. SHE TOOK A LITTLE BELL AND PUT IT AROUND HIS
NECK AND THEY WENT TO LIVE IN A COTTAGE BY THE EDGE OF THE FOREST.
FOR A LONG TIME EVERYBODY TRIES TO KILL THE DEER BECAUSE IT IS
SUCH A BEAUTY. ONE DAY THE OLD KING DIED AND HIS YOUNG SON BECAME
KING. HE DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO CAPTURE THE DEER AND HAVE HIM
FOR A BANQUET. SO HE SENT OUT SPIES TO FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS THAT
THE DEER ALWAYS DISAPPEARED TO. THE SPIES SAID THAT THE DEER
ALWAYS WENT INTO A COTTAGE BY THE EDGE OF THE FOREST.
ONE DAY THE GIRL HAD GONE OUT TO GET SOME FOOD. WHEN SHE CAME
BACK SHE SAW THAT THERE HAD BEEN A STRUGGLE IN THE COTTAGE AND THE
LITTLE BELL WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR. SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO
BUT A BIRD TOLD HER THAT THE DEER HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE CASTLE FOR
A BANQUET. SHE HURRIED TO THE KING, FORCED HER WAY PAST ALL THE
GUARDS, AND TOLD THE YOUNG KING THE WHOLE STORY. HE SAID, "HOW
CAN YOU PROVE IT?" SO SHE ASKED HIM TO TAKE HER TO THE DEER.
WHEN THE DEER SAW HER HE RUSHED RIGHT UP AND STARTED LICKING HER.
HE HAD BEEN MEAN TO EVERYONE ELSE SO THE KING KNEW SHE WAS TELLING
THE TRUTH. THE KING SENT OUT HIS SPIES TO CATCH THE OLD WITCH WHO
HAD ENCHANTED THE FOREST. THEY CAUGHT HER AND JUST BEFORE THEY
KILLED HER, HER IRON NOSE FELL OFF. AS SOON AS IT DID THE DEER
WAS CHANGED INTO A BOY AGAIN. THE KING DECIDED TO MARRY THE GIRL
AND THAT'S THE END OF THE STORY.

Submitter comment: MISS DAMIN'S HUNGARIAN GRANDMOTHER TOLD HER THIS TALE WHEN SHE
WAS A YOUNG GIRL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNGARY ; DETROIT

Date learned: 01-00-1964

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HEALING WATERS

ONE WINTER A GREAT PLAGUE STRUCK AND MANY INDIANS DIED. ONE YOUNG
MAN NAMED MONTA HAD LOST ALL HIS FAMILY BUT HIS NEW WIFE, WHO WAS
ILL. MONTA PRAYED TO MANITOU, THE GREAT SPIRIT, TO GIVE HIM A
PLANT WHICH WOULD CURE HIS WIFE. AFTER HIS PRAYER, HE COVERED HIS
WIFE WITH SOFT FIRS AND BEGAN HIS SEARCH OVER THE SNOW-COVERED
EARTH. FOR THREE DAYS HE SEARCHED, BUT THE PLANTS WERE ALL SLEEP-
ING UNTIL SPRING AND NO ANIMALS WERE IN SIGHT. FINALLY HE FELL
ASLEEP. ALL THE ANIMALS OF THE FOREST GATHERED AROUND, FOR HE
HAD ALWAYS BEEN GOOD TO THEM. THEY PRAYED TO THE GREAT SPIRIT TO
HELP MONTA. THE GREAT SPIRIT HEARD AND SENT MONTA A DREAM. IN
THE DREAM MONTA SAW HIS WIFE WELL AND HEARD HER SINGING. SHE SANG
OF THE HEALING WATERS OF THE GREAT MANITOU. WHEN MONTA AWOKE HE
HEARD THE WATERS SINGING AND BEGAN TO DIG UNDER HIS FEET. UP
SPRANG THE HEALING WATERS. HE WASHED IN THE WATER AND BECAME
STRONG. HE TOOK WATER TO HIS WIFE AND SHE WAS SAVED. FROM THEN
ON, THE PEOPLE OF THE VILLAGE BATHED IN THE SPRING AND WERE NEVER
ILL AGAIN.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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THE HITCH-HIKER GIRL

ONE NIGHT IT WAS RAINING VERY HARD. TWO PEOPLE WERE DRIVING DOWN
THE ROAD TOWARD WALLACEBURG. BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THEY SAW A
GIRL DRESSED IN A FORMAL, WAITING FOR A RIDE. THEY STOPPED THE
CAR AND ASKED HER IF THEY COULD GIVE HER A LIFT. SHE GOT IN AND
THEY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NOT A DROP OF WATER ON HER. ON THE
WAY TO WALLACEBURG, ONE OF THE PEOPLE TURNED AROUND TO TALK TO
HER AND SHE WAS GONE.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS INFORMATION FROM HER UNCLE, ALEX
MACDONALD, IN ABOUT 1925 IN PORT LAMBTON. HE TOLD HER THAT THIS
HAS HAPPENED TO QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WHILE GOING TO WALLACEBURG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Date learned: 05-12-1965

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A POLISH LEGEND

THERE IS A POLISH TALE ABOUT THE BELLS ON THE STEEPLE OF A REBUILT
CHURCH IN HEL ON THE BALTIC SEA. THERE LIVED, SO THEY SAY, A GIRL
WHO WAS TOTALLY DEAF, SO ALL SHE COULD DO WAS TO GUARD THE GOATS
IN THE PASTURE. BUT STRANGELY SHE WAS ABLE TO HEAR THOSE BELLS AS
IF THEY CALLED OUT HER NAME, JOANNA. ONE DAY SEVEN BELLS WERE
GONE AND THE GIRL WAS THE FIRST TO NOTICE THE SILENCE. PEOPLE WERE
DISMAYED AND DOWNHEARTED AND THEY BEGAN TO FEAR THAT THEY DID NOT
LIVE ACCORDING TO GOD'S COMMANDMENT, SO THE BELLS LEFT THEM.
ONE DAY THE GIRL WAS WALKING THROUGH THE FOREST AND SHE SEEMED TO
HEAR SOME RINGING.
SEARCHING IN THE GRASS, TO HER GREAT JOY, (SHE FOUND) ALL THE
BELLS. SHE DECIDED TO TAKE THEM BACK BUT THEY WERE HEAVY; SHE
ALMOST CRIED. SUDDENLY SHE HEARD THE BIG BELL SAY, "BIM, BAM,
BUM, TAKE ME FIRST, I AM THE FATHER AND THE OTHERS WILL FOLLOW."
SHE PICKED HIM UP AND FOUND HE WAS LIGHT. SHE MANAGED TO HANG
THEM UP IN THE CHURCH STEEPLE AND WHEN THE PEOPLE CAME TO MASS,
MINDING NOW TO BE ON TIME, SHE PULLED THE ROPE AND THE BELLS
STARTED TO RING. THEY RING TO THIS DAY, REMINDING THE PEOPLE,
MOSTLY FISHERMEN, TO LEAD AN HONEST LIFE SO THE BELLS WOULD NEVER
GO AWAY AND HIDE.

Submitter comment: THIS LEGEND MY GRANDMOTHER KNEW FROM HER CHILDHOOD DAYS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Date learned: 10-28-1967

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(KIND AND UNKIND STORY) ST. PETER STORY

ONCE UPON A TIME IN A SMALL TOWN IN SICILY, THERE LIVED A MEAN
STEPMOTHER WITH TWO DAUGHTERS, ONE OF WHOM WAS HER NATURAL DAUGHTER
AND THE OTHER WAS HER STEPDAUGHTER. HOWEVER, HER STEPDAUGHTER, BEING
THE PRETTIER OF THE TWO GIRLS, WAS ALWAYS IN THE KITCHEN SCRUBBING
THE POTS AND PANS AND DOING ALL THE DIRTY WORK THAT HAD TO BE DONE,
WHILE THE NATURAL DAUGHTER WAS JUST LAYING AROUND DOING NOTHING AND
GETTING SELFISH AND MORE SELF-CENTERED EVERY DAY. WELL, THIS
STEPMOTHER MADE THE BREAD FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE TOWN AND DELIVERY WAS
MADE DAILY BY HER TWO DAUGHTERS. ONE DAY AS THE BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER
WAS WALKING DOWN THE ROAD, SHE MET AN OLD, BEARDED MAN SITTING ALONG
THE ROADSIDE. HE ASKED HER FOR A SMALL PIECE OF BREAD BECAUSE HE HAD
NOT EATEN FOR TWO DAYS. THE YOUNG GIRL TOOK PITY ON HIM AND GAVE HIM
THE WHOLE LOAF OF BREAD. HE THANKED HER AND TOLD HER IF SHE HEARD THE
ROOSTER CROW ONCE ON THE WAY HOME, SHE WAS NOT TO TURN AROUND. BUT,
IF THE ROOSTER CROWED TWICE, SHE WAS TO TURN AROUND QUICKLY. BEING AN
OBEDIENT GIRL, WHEN THE ROOSTER CROWED ONCE SHE KEPT RIGHT ON
WALKING, BUT WHEN SHE HEARD HIM CROW TWICE, SHE QUICKLY TURNED
AROUND AND AS SHE DID SO, A DIAMOND APPEARED IN THE MIDDLE OF HER
FOREHEAD MAKING HER MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN EVER. UPON RETURNING HOME
AND EXPLAINING WHAT HAPPENED TO HER STEPMOTHER, THE NATURAL DAUGHTER
WANTED TO GO THE SAME ROAD HER SISTER FOLLOWED THE DAY BEFORE.
HOWEVER, BEING SELFISH AND MEAN, WHEN THE POOR OLD MAN APPROACHED HER
AND ASKED FOR A MORSEL OF BREAD, SHE SPAT UPON HIM AND TRIED TO RUN
AWAY. THEREFORE, ANGERED BY HER ACTIONS, HE TOLD HER TO TURN AROUND
IF SHE HEARD THE ROOSTER CROW ONCE, AND TO WALK STRAIGHT AHEAD IF SHE
HEARD HIM CROW TWICE. UPON DOING THIS, AS SHE TURNED AROUND WHEN THE
ROOSTER CROWED ONCE, A BIG HORN GREW IN THE MIDDLE OF HER FOREHEAD,
MAKING HER UGLIER THAN SHE WAS BEFORE.

Submitter comment: FROM ITALY IN THE EARLY 1900'S
THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS TO SHARE WITH OTHERS AND HAVE PITY ON
THOSE LESS FORTUNATE THAN YOU, FOR THE LITTLE OLD MAN WAS REALLY ST.
PETER IN DISGUISE, SAID MY GRANDMOTHER.

Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK

James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ITALY

Date learned: 10-00-1973

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JOHN AND MARGARET

JOHN AND MARGARET HAD A FATHER AND A STEPMOTHER. THE STEPMOTHER
TOOK THEM INTO THE FOREST AND THE CHILDREN KNEW THAT SHE WAS
GOING TO LEAVE THEM THERE. SO THE BOY SCATTERED CRUMBS OF
BREAD ALONG THE WAY SO THEY COULD FIND THEIR WAY BACK. THE
STEPMOTHER DID LEAVE THEM AND WENT BACK HOME.
HOWEVER, THE BIRDS ATE THE BREAD CRUMBS AND THE CHILDREN COULDN'T
FIND THEIR WAY BACK HOME. THEY WALKED AROUND AND AROUND ON
CIRCLES INSIDE THE FOREST TRYING TO FIND THEIR WAY HOME. THEN THE
CHILDREN SAW A VERY NICE HOUSE MADE OF CAKES. TORTS, COOKIES,
THE WITCH CAME CAME OUT SAYING, "WHO IS TAKING APART MY
HOME? DO NOT BE AFRAID, COME TO ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU
SOMETHING TO EAT." SHE FED THEM AND TREATED THEM VERY
WELL. LATER SHE LIT THE OVEN==THE OVEN WAS LARGE- AND WHEN IT
WAS HOT SHE TOLD THE BOY TO SIT ON THE WOODEN SHOVEL. BUT THE BOY
SAID, "I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SIT DOWN ON IT. WILL YOU
SHOW ME HOW TO DO IT?". AND AS SHE WAS GOING TO
SHOW HIM, HE PUSHED HER INTO THE OVEN.
THEY WERE HAPPY AND WENT HOME AND LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT NEVER HEARD OF HANSEL AND GRETEL. SHE HEARD THIS STORY
FROM HER OLDER SISTER WHILE IN POLAND.
THIS IS TRANSLATED FROM POLISH

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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LUCK OF A POOR BOY

IN THE EARLY DAYS IN POLAND, THERE WERE LOTS OF FORESTS. ONE
TIME, A RICH RANCHER WAS TRAVELING WITH HIS HORSE AND BUGGY THROUGH
THE FOREST. HE HAD A LONG WAY TO GO AND HE COULD NOT MAKE IT IN A
DAY SO HE WAS TRAVELING AT NIGHT.
AROUND 11 O'CLOCK HE GOT VERY TIRED AND HE SAW A LIGHT AND A
LITTLE HOUSE, SO HE DECIDED TO STOP AND HAVE A LITTLE NAP. HE CAME
TO THE HOUSE AND SAW THAT THE PEOPLE WERE VERY POOR.
HE ASKED THEM IF HE COULD ACCOMMODATE HIS HORSE AND BUGGY IN
THEIR YARD AND TAKE A LITTLE NAP. THEY PERMITTED HIM. WHILE
SLEEPING IN THE BUGGY, HE HAD A DREAM THAT IN THIS VERY HOUSE, A BAB
WAS BORN AND THAT IN HIS FUTURE LIFE HE WOULD ADOPT THIS BABY. HE
WAS VERY SURPRISED}
IN THE MORNING, HE WENT BACK TO THE HOUSE TO INVESTIGATE. SURE
ENOUGH, THAT NIGHT, IN THAT HOUSE, A BABY WAS BORN. THERE WERE QUIT
A FEW CHILDREN BESIDES THAT BABY.
THINKING ABOUT HIS DREAM HE ASKED THE FAMILY IF HE COULD ADOPT
THE CHILD BECAUSE THEY HAD TOO MANY CHILDREN. IN THE BEGINNING, THE
WOULDN'T HEAR OF SUCH A THING. HE TRIED TO CONVINCE THEM WITH
STORIES, AND ASSURED THEM THAT THE BABY WOULD HAVE EVERYTHING IN HIS
POWER. HE WAS RICH} THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN TO HIM AND SAID THAT THE
WERE GOING TO BAPTIZE THE BABY IN THE MORNING OF THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THERE WAS NOBODY CLOSE BY WHO COULD TAKE THEM TO THE CHURCH, SO
THE MAN THEN OFFERED THE SERVICES OF HIS BUGGY AND HIS OWN TIME TO
TAKE THEM. THE POOR FAMILY DECIDED TO NAME THE RICH RANCHER AS THE
GODFATHER OF THEIR BABY BOY.
GOING TO THE CHURCH, THE RANCHER SLIPPED SOME MONEY UNDER THE
BABY'S PILLOW. IN POLAND THERE IS A BELIEF THAT IF YOU PUT SOME
MONEY UNDER THE PILLOW OF A BABY FOR ITS BAPTISM, THAT BABY WILL
LATER GET RICH.
AFTER THE BAPTISM, THE RANCHER AGAIN TRIED TO CONVINCE THE FAMILY
TO LET HIM HAVE THE CHILD. HE PROMISED THAT THE BABY WOULD HAVE
EVERYTHING, SO THEY GAVE HIM THE BABY WITH THE SAME PILLOW HE WAS
BAPTIZED, IN A BASKET. HE PUT THE BASKET IN HIS BUGGY AND TOLD HIS
DRIVER TO GO.
AFTER THEY WENT A LITTLE FARTHER IN THE FOREST, THE RANCHER DID
NOT WANT THE BABY BOY TO BE HIS ADOPTED SON. THE ONLY REASON WHY HE
TOOK HIM WAS BECAUSE HE WAS AFRAID OF HIS DREAM. HE TOLD HIS DRIVER
TO TAKE THE BASKET AND THROW IT AGAINST A TREE SO THAT HE WOULD NOT
SEE THE BABY ANY MORE.
THE DRIVER WENT AWAY FROM THE BUGGY. HE DID NOT HAVE THE HEART
TO SMASH THE BASKET AGAINST A TREE AND KILL THE BABY. HE SIMPLY LEF
IT NEAR A TREE, AND HE DROVE THE RANCHER AWAY.
IN THE MORNING, SOME OTHER POOR FAMILY CAME INTO THE FOREST TO
PICK SOME WOOD. THEY HEARD THE BABY CRYING AND TOOK HIM HOME. THE
BABY WAS SO CUTE, DRESSED NICELY, AND THE WOMAN OF THE HOUSE LIKED
IT. THEY HAD A FEW CHILDREN BUT THEY DECIDED TO KEEP THE BABY. OF
COURSE, IN THEIR AREA, THERE WERE ONLY A FEW FAMILIES AND EVERYONE
KNEW THAT THEY HAD FOUND THE BOY.
THE BOY GREW AND STARTED SCHOOL, WHERE THE CHILDREN NEVER CALLED
HIM BY HIS GIVEN NAME. THEY CALLED HIM "FOUNDED".
ONE DAY, THE RICH RANCHER WAS GOING THROUGH THEIR VILLAGE AND
HEARD THE KIDS CALLING THE BOY. WHEN HE HEARD THE KIDS CALLING HIM
"FOUNDED", IT BOTHERED HIM VERY MUCH. HE ASKED THE CHILDREN WHY THE
CALLED HIM THAT AND THEY TOLD THE RANCHER THAT HIS FATHER FOUND HIM
IN THE FOREST, IN A BASKET.
THE RANCHER WAS SURE NOW THAT IT WAS THE SAME BOY WHO WAS
SUPPOSED TO BE HIS ADOPTED SON. HE WENT TO THE PEOPLE AND ASKED THE
FOR SOME MORE DETAILS. HE GOT VERY WORRIED AND MADE UP HIS MIND THA
HE WOULD DO EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER TO PREVENT THE BOY FROM GROWING
UP TO BECOME HIS SON. HE OFFERED THE PEOPLE A LOT OF MONEY TO SELL
THE BOY. IT WAS A POOR FAMILY AND THEY WERE TEMPTED BY THE MONEY AN
GAVE HIM THE BOY.
WHEN HE WAS WALKING FROM THEIR HOUSE HE SAW AN EMPTY BARREL. HE
BOUGHT THE BARREL TOO. HE THEN TOLD THE BOY TO SIT IN THE BARREL AN
STARTED OFF ON HIS JOURNEY AFTER HE HAD COVERED THE BARREL WITH THE
LID. WHEN THE RANCHER WAS TRAVELING BY THE LAKE, HE PUSHED THE
BARREL INTO IT.
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE THERE WAS A SEMINARY. THE
STUDENTS, SEEING THE BARREL ON THE LAKE GOT VERY INTERESTED, AND
PULLED IT TO SHORE. IN THE BARREL, THEY FOUND THE 6 YEAR OLD BOY.
THE PRIESTS DECIDED TO KEEP THE BOY AROUND THE SCHOOL TO DO SMALL
TASKS. BESIDES THIS, THE BOY GOT AN EDUCATION.
ONE DAY THE SEMINARY GAVE A BANQUET FOR ALL ITS BENEFACTORS.
NATURALLY, THE RICH RANCHER ATTENDED IT. DURING THE DINNER, THE
YOUNG BOY WAS SERVING AS A WAITER AND THE RANCHER WAS AMAZED AT THE
BOY'S MANNERS. HE ASKED THE PRIESTS WHERE THEY GOT THE BOY FROM.
THEY TOLD HIM THE STORY.
AGAIN THE RANCHER WAS VERY UPSET BECAUSE THE BOY WAS GROWING TO
BE HIS SON. THE RANCHER HAD RELATIVES SEVERAL MILES AWAY AND ASKED
THE PRIEST IN CHARGE IF HE WOULD BE SO KIND AS TO LET THE BOY TAKE A
MESSAGE THERE. THE PRIEST DIDN'T OBJECT, SO THE RANCHER MADE A NOTE
WHICH READ- "AS SOON AS THIS BOY REACHES YOUR PLACE, MAKE ALL THE
ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE HIM KILLED, I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANY SIGNS OF
HIM." THE RANCHER PUT THE NOTE IN AN ENVELOPE WITH HIS SEAL ON IT.
BEING AROUND THE SEMINARY, THE BOY WAS VERY RELIGIOUS. HE WALKED
A DAY OR TWO AND STOPPED AT A LITTLE CHURCH BY THE WAY FOR MASS. HE
DECIDED TO GO TO CONFESSION AFTER MASS. THE PRIEST GOT VERY CURIOUS
ABOUT THE YOUNG BOY TRAVELING ALONE, AND ASKED HIM WHAT HE WAS DOING
THE BOY SAID HE WAS CARRYING A MESSAGE. THE PRIEST SAID, "WHAT
MESSAGE?", AND THE BOY TOLD HIM HE COULDN'T BREAK THE SEAL.
THE PRIEST THEN INVITED THE BOY TO HIS HOME FOR BREAKFAST. HE
TOLD THE BOY TO LEAVE THE NOTE ON THE SIDE TABLE AND TOOK HIM TO THE
DINING ROOM. MEANWHILE, THE PRIEST'S CURIOSITY WAS TEMPTED, HE MADE
AN EXCUSE TO LEAVE THE ROOM, AND OPENED THE LETTER. IT HAPPENED THA
HE KNEW THE FAMILY WHERE THE BOY WAS GOING. HE TOOK THE NOTE AND
DESTROYED IT AND WROTE ANOTHER WHICH SAID, "AS SOON AS THIS BOY
ARRIVES AT YOUR PLACE, MAKE QUICK ARRANGEMENTS FOR HIM TO MARRY YOUR
DAUGHTER."
UPON ARRIVAL AT THE RANCHER'S RELATIVES HOME, HE MARRIED THEIR
DAUGHTER.
A COUPLE DAYS LATER, THE RICH RANCHER CAME TO SEE IF EVERYTHING
WAS DONE. TO HIS SURPRISE, HE HEARD THE STORY THAT HIS RELATIVES
MARRIED THE BOY FOLLOWING THE RANCHER'S WISH.
NOW THE RANCHER WAS IN REAL TROUBLE. HE SENT THE BOY TO A
FORTUNE TELLER WHO WAS KNOWN TO KILL HIS VISITORS, TO FIND OUT WHY
ONE OF HIS PEAR TREES AT HIS ESTATE NEVER GAVE ANY FRUIT. TO GET TO
THE FORTUNE TELLER, THE BOY HAD TO TAKE A FERRY. WHEN HE WAS ON THE
FERRY, THE CAPTAIN ASKED HIM WHERE HE WAS GOING. THE BOY TOLD HIM,
"TO SEE THE FORTUNE TELLER". THE CAPTAIN ASKED THE BOY TO FIND OUT
HOW LONG HE WOULD BE SERVING ON THE FERRY. THE BOY SAID OK.
AFTER HE GOT OFF THE FERRY, HE WENT TO THE FORTUNE TELLER'S HOUSE
BUT HE WAS NOT HOME. HIS WIFE WAS. THE WIFE HAD PITY ON THE NICE
LOOKING BOY AND TOLD HIM TO HIDE IN THE CLOSET AND SHE WOULD GET HIM
THE INFORMATION HE NEEDED.
THE FORTUNE TELLER CAME HOME FROM HIS HUNTING TRIP. HIS WIFE DID
NOT TELL HIM THAT THE BOY WAS THERE. SHE SERVED HER HUSBAND DINNER
AND TOLD HIM THAT SHE HAD A DREAM. SHE SAID THE DREAM WAS OF A VERY
RICH MAN WHO OWNED A BIG RANCH. THE RICH MAN HAD A PEAR TREE BY HIS
RANCH HOUSE THAT WOULD NEVER BEAR FRUIT. WHY DOESN'T THE TREE HAVE
FRUIT?
THE FORTUNE TELLER KNEW ABOUT IT. HE SAID, "OH, YES, I KNOW.
THE TREE WILL NEVER BEAR FRUIT, AS LONG AS THERE IS A POT OF GOLD
UNDER ITS ROOTS. SOMEONE HAS TO DIG IT UP."
THE WIFE THEN ASKED HOW LONG THE CAPTAIN OF THE FERRY WOULD STAY
AT HIS JOB.
"HO} HO} HO} HE'LL STAY THERE UNTIL HE CATCHES SOMEONE ELSE."
SAID THE FORTUNE TELLER.
THE BOY HEARD EVERYTHING. WHEN THE FORTUNE TELLER WENT TO BED,
THE WIFE LET THE BOY OUT OF THE CLOSET AND TOLD HIM TO GO. HE HAD
ALL THE ANSWERS.
THE BOY WENT TO THE RIVER TO CATCH THE FERRY. THE CAPTAIN ASKED
HIM IF HE HAD ASKED THE FORTUNE TELLER HOW LONG HE WOULD PILOT THE
BOAT. "OH YES}" SAID THE BOY, BUT HE WOULD NOT TELL HIM THE ANSWER
UNTIL HE GOT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER.
THE CAPTAIN TOOK HIM TO THE OTHER SIDE AND THE BOY STEPPED OFF
THE FERRY. "HOW LONG AM I GOING TO STAY HERE?" ASKED THE CAPTAIN.
THE BOY ANSWERED HIM, "UNTIL YOU CATCH SOMEONE ELSE."
"OH, YOU'RE WISE, I CAN'T CATCH YOU NOW}" SAID THE CAPTAIN.
THE BOY WENT BACK TO THE RANCHER'S RELATIVE'S HOUSE AND THE
RANCHER WAS STILL THERE. THE RANCHER WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THE BOY. H
ASKED HIM, "DID YOU FIND THE ANSWER?"
THE BOY SAID, "YES. THE TREE IS NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY FRUIT
UNTIL WE DIG THE GOLD UP FROM BENEATH ITS ROOTS."
SO...THE BOY AND THE RANCHER RETURNED TO THE RANCHER'S HOME.
THEY STARTED TO DIG UP THE TREE'S ROOTS AND FOUND A WHOLE POT OF
GOLD. THE RANCHER WAS SO EXCITED WHEN HE SAW IT, THAT HE HAD A HEAR
ATTACK AND DIED.
THE BOY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER WITH THE RANCHER'S COUSIN AND
THEIR DAUGHTER.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS STORY AS A BOY AT AN EVENING OF FAMILY STORY
TELLING. HE USED QUITE A BIT OF EXPRESSION AND WAS VERY DELIGHTED
THAT THE PEOPLE LISTENING DIDN'T GET BORED AND ACTUALLY ENJOYED IT.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORY HE ALMOST STOPPED BECAUSE HE THOUGHT WE
MIGHT NOT LIKE THE IDEA OF A BABY BEING GIVEN AWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 02-07-1980 ; 00-00-1934

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A GAMBLER'S LESSON

FAR AWAY BY A RIVER, THERE WAS A LITTLE WHITE HOUSE IN WHICH THERE LIVED A FAMILY.
A FATHER, MOTHER, A BOY AND A GIRL. THEY HAD ONE PROBLEM, THEIR FATHER LIKED TO GAMBLE
AND DRINK. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THEIR MOTHER GOT VERY SICK. THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO SEND
HER TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE THE FATHER GAMBLED EVERYTHING HE EARNED. THE MOTHER DIED. THE
GIRL WAS HELPING WITH EVERYTHING AROUND THE HOUSE AND THE BOY WAS TRYING TO EARN MONEY FOR
THE LIVING OF THE FAMILY. ONE DAY THE BOY WAS DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY. HE WAS ALWAYS WONDERING
HOW HIS SISTER WAS MANAGING AT HOME AND WAS ALWAYS VERY SAD. HIS ARMY BUDDY WAS ASKING HIM WHY
HE WAS SO SAD. HE TRIED TO HIDE THE ANSWER FROM HIM, BUT FINALLY TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD A BEAUTIFUL
SISTER WHO COULD NOT MANAGE THE HOME BECAUSE OF THE FATHER'S GAMBLING. HIS FRIEND PROMISED TO
HELP HIM DURING HIS NEXT FURLOUGH. HE WENT TO A THEATRE AND BOUGHT HIMSELF A DEVIL OUTFIT. WHEN
FURLOUGH TIME CAME, HE PUT THE OUTFIT ON, AND ON TOP OF IT, THE BEST SUIT THA HE COULD FIND.
WHEN THEY REACHED THE BOY'S HOME, THEY COULDN'T FIND THE BOY'S FATHER. THE SISTER TOLD HIM THAT
THEIR FATHER WAS A FEW MILES AWAY AT AN INN. THE BOY'S FRIEND WENT TO THE INN AND ASKED FOR THE MAN.
THE INNKEEPER TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS PLAYING CARDS IN THE CORNER. HE WENT OVER TO THE CORNER AND GREETED
THE GAMBLERS, ASKING PERMISSION TO JOIN THEM. THEY ACCEPTED HIM. HE WAS A VERY GOOD CARD PLAYER AND
STARTED TO WIN FROM THE BEGINNING. A FEW HOURS LATER, ONLY THE GIRL'S FATHER WAS LEFT IN THE GAME.
ALL THE OTHERS HAD STOPPED PLAYING BECAUSE THEY HAD LOST EVERYTHING THAT THEY HAD. THE GIRL'S FATHER
WAS LOSING ALSO. BY ELEVEN O'CLOCK, HE ASKED FOR ONE FREE HAND OF CARDS. HE HAD LOST EVERYTHING. THE
BOY GAVE IT TO HIM. IT ALSO WAS A LOSING HAND. THE MAN WANTED TO QUIT AND TOLD THE BOY THAT HE HAD NO
MONEY TO GAMBLE. THE BOY TOOK HIS GLOVES OFF. RED, LONG FINGERNAILS WERE STICKING OUT FROM HIS DEVIL'S
OUTFIT, AND WHEN HE REMOVED HIS HAT, LITTLE HORNS WERE STICKING OUT FROM HIS HAIR. HE SAID, "NOW WE ARE
GOING TO PLAY FOR YOUR SOUL. I WOULD LIKE TO WIN YOUR SOUL." THE MAN JUMPED UP AND STARTED TO RUN TOWARDS
HIS HOME. THE YOUNG MAN WAS PURSUING HIM. THERE WAS A CHURCH BY THE ROAD. THE MA RAN INTO IT. THE MAN TOOK
THE SEAT CLOSEST TO THE ALTAR. THE BOY, OUTSIDE THE CHURCH, WHISTLED HIS WAY TO HIS FRIEND'S HOME. THE MAN
WAITED TILL THE PRIEST CAME IN AND ASKED FOR CONFESSION. THE BOY RETURNED ALL THE WINNINGS TO HIS FRIEND AND
ASKED TO MARRY HIS SISTER. FROM THAT DAY ON, THEY WERE A VERY HAPPY FAMILY. THEIR FATHER DID NOT DRINK OR GAMBLE ANYMORE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS STORY AT AN EVENING OF FAMILY STORY TELLING I LUKOWA, POLAND.
HE LAUGHED QUITE A BIT WHEN DESCRIBING THE DEVIL AN THE EFFECT IT HAD ON THE GAMBLING FATHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLAND ; LUKOWA

James Callow Keyword(s): SOLDIER DISGUISED AS DEVIL REFORMS COMPULSIVE GAMBLER

Date learned: 00-00-1934

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THE MAN AND THE COAT

THE MAN AND THE COAT. THERE WAS A MAN WHO WAS VERY TIMID. HE WAS
IN LOVE WITH THE SCHOOLTEACHER. ANOTHER MAN LOVED HER TOO, THOUGH.
THIS OTHER MAN WAS VERY MEAN AND DECIDED TO PLAY A TRICK ON THE FIRST
MAN TO RID HIMSELF OF THE COMPETITION. KNOWING THAT THE FIRST MAN
WAS TIMID, THE SECOND MAN MADE A BET WITH HIM IN FRONT OF THE WOMAN
AND EVERY ONE ELSE. THERE WAS A VERY SPOOKY CEMETARY IN THE
MIDDLI OF TOWN WHICH NO ONE LIKED TO ENTER AT NIGHT ESPECIALLY
THE FIRST MAN. THE SECOND MAN TEASED THE FIRST ABOUT HIS TIMIDITY
AND TOLD HIM THAT IF HE WERE REALLY BRAVE HE WOULD WALK THROUGH THE
CEMETARY THAT NIGHT ON HIS WAY HOME. THE FIRST DID NOT WANT TO
BE OUTDONE SO HE AGREED THOUGH HE WAS VERY SCARED. THAT NIGHT
THE TOWN GATHERED TO SEND THE MAN OFF ON HIS JOURNEY. THE MAN
BEGAN WALKING. HE HEARD MANY STRANGE NOISES WHICH REALLY FIGHTENED
HIM AND HE BEGAN TO RUN. SUDDENLY HE TRIPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF
A TOMBSTONE AND FELL DOWN. AS HE TRIED TO GET UP HE FELT SOMETHING
TUG ON HIS COAT. HE DID NOT REALIZE THAT IT WAS CAUGHT ON A TWIG.
HE PULLED AND TUGGED AND SCREAMED AND SCREAMED BUT COULD NOT GET
LOOSE. HE BEGAN TO GET SO SCARED THINKING THAT A GHOST HAD GRABBED
HIM THAT HE HAD A HEART ATTACK AND DIED. THE NEXT MORNING SOMEONE
FOUND HIM WITH A HORRIBLE LOOK OF FRIGHT ON HIS FACE. HE WAS
PALE AS A GHOST, LOOKED AS IF HE HAD BEEN SCARED TO DEATH.

Submitter comment: THIS STORY IS LIKE THE ONE ABOUT ICHABOD CRANE AND IN FACT I
BELIEVEVE THE MANS NAME WAS THE SAME BUT I CANT BE SURE NOW.

Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; TOMS RIVER

James Callow Keyword(s): FEAR TEST

Date learned: 00001970S

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RUSSIAN TALE

THERE ONCE WERE SOME POOR PEOPLE; THE WIFE WAS
A SPINNER AND THE HUSBAND WAS A FISHERMAN.
ONE DAY THE HUSBAND CAUGHT A GOLDFISH. THE GOLDFISH
ASKED THE MAN TO LET HER GO. HE SAID THAT HE
WAS SO POOR HE HAD TO CATCH FISH.
THE GOLDFISH SAID, "LET ME GO AND THEN GO HOME AND
YOU WILL HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED."
SO THE FISHERMAN LET HER SWIM AWAY. FROM THEN ON
HE WOULD GO TO HER AND SHE GRANTED ALL HIS REQUESTS.
THE GOLDFISH KEPT GIVING AND GIVING UNTIL THE WIFE
HAD EVERYTHING SHE COULD THINK OF BUT SHE STILL WAS
NOT SATISFIED. THEN SHE ASKED THE GOLDFISH TO BE HER
SERVANT. THIS ANGERED THE GOLDFISH SO MUCH THAT SHE
FLIPPED HER TAIL AND SWAM AWAY FOREVER AND SHE TOOK
BACK EVERYTHING SHE HAD GIVEN THEM.

Submitter comment: TALE WAS LEARNED IN RUSSIA. IT WAS IN PROSE AS IT IS HERE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills

Date learned: 12-00-1983

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326 Youth Who Wanted to Learn What Fear Is

There once was a little girl that claimed she was very
brave, and wasn't afraid of anything. So one day her
brothers dared her to go to the grave yard to steal a
tombstone and bring it back to show them. The little girl
did indeed go to the graveyard to get that tombstone but
never returned. What everyone says that happened was that as
she was putting her dress over the stone to carry it out the
stone fell on her dress and pulled her down. Of course the
little girl thought that the spirit of the grave was tugging
on her dress, and she was so scared that she died right there
on the spot.

Where learned: IOWA ; Des Moines

James Callow Keyword(s): dying of fright ; FEAR TEST

Date learned: 00-00-1910

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A GROUP OF FOUR GIRLS WERE SAID TO HAVE BEEN TAKING A
SHORTCUT HOME AT NIGHT THROUGH A CEMETERY. THEY NOTICED
A MAUSOLEUM IN THE CEMETERY WITH AN OPEN DOOR. THE GIRLS
WERE VERY CURIOUS ABOUT IT AND GATHERED NEAR THE DOOR TO
LOOK INSIDE. THE GROUP THEN BEGAN TO COAX ONE OF THE
GIRLS TO GO INSIDE. THEY DARED HER UNTIL SHE FINALLY
AGREED TO STEP INSIDE. AS SOON AS SHE DID, THE OTHER
GIRLS IMMEDIATELY CLOSED THE DOOR ON HER. THE GIRL
INSIDE BEGAN TO SCREAM TO BE LET OUT, BUT THE OTHERS
WERE NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THEY WERE ALL, BY
THIS TIME, QUITE FRIGHTENED AND SCREAMING THEMSELVES.
FINALLY, THE CARETAKER CAME TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON
AND WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH HIS KEY. WHEN HE
DID, THE GIRL STEPPED OUT FROM THE MAUSOLEUM WITH HAIR
THAT HAD TURNED COMPLETELY WHITE AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO
SPEAK FROM THAT TIME ON. THE GIRL WAS APPROXIMATELY
FIFTEEN YEARS OLD AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER TOLD HIM THIS STORY. SHE IN
TURN SAID IT WAS TOLD TO HER BY HER OWN MOTHER AS
WELL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

Date learned: 00-00-1940

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ONCE THERE WAS A KING WHO LOST ALL HIS WEALTH. HE
CALLED HIS TWIN SONS TO HIM AND TOLD THEM THEY HAD
TO GO OUT AND SEEK THEIR FORTUNE TOGETHER, BECAUSE
THEY WERE POOR. SO HE GAVE THEM TWO IDENTICAL RINGS
AND HE SAID, "SONS, THESE ARE MAGICAL RINGS; SHOULD
ONE NEED THE OTHER, ALL HE WOULD DO IS TWIST THE RING
ON HIS FINGER AND IF THE RING TURNS BLACK, IT MEANS
THE OTHER IS IN TROUBLE AND YOU MUST GO AND HELP HIM."
THE BROTHERS LEFT THE REALM AND ROSE ALONG THE ROAD
UNTIL THEY CAME TO A FORK. AT THE FORK THEY SAID
TO EACH OTHER, "THIS IS WHERE WE PART; WHICH ONE
SHOULD TAKE WHICH WAY?" THEY FLIPPED A COIN AND THE
ONE CALLED PETER WENT TO THE RIGHT AND THE OTHER
CALLED PAUL TOOK THE LEFT. BEFORE THEY LEFT, THEY
REMINDED EACH OTHER OF THE MAGICAL RINGS AND
PROMISED THAT AT 5:00 P.M. THEY WOULD TWIST THEIR
RINGS AND IF THE RING WOULD REMAIN GOLD, THEY WOULD
CONTINUE ON THEIR GOALS. PETER CONTINUED ON AND
FINALLY CAME TO ANOTHER KINGDOM. THERE HE FOUND THE
PEOPLE ALL IN MOURNING. UPON INQUIRING, HE FOUND
THERE WAS A GIANT MONSTER THAT DEMANDED A YOUNG GIRL
FROM THE VILLAGE EVERY DAY FOR SACRIFICE. THEY WERE
ALL ESPECIALLY SAD BECAUSE TODAY WAS THE KING'S
DAUGHTER'S TURN. PETER TOLD THE KING, "NEVER FEAR; I WILL
GO SLAY THIS MONSTER. DON'T SEND YOUR DAUGHTER."
SO HE WENT AND THROUGH GREAT BRAVERY, SLEW THE MONSTER.
UPON RETURNING TO THE VILLAGE, THE KING WAS OVERJOYED
AND GAVE HIS DAUGHTER'S HAND IN MARRIAGE. THERE WAS
JOY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. ONE DAY PETER WAS OUT ON
A HUNTING TRIP AND WAS CAPTURED BY A WICKED WITCH AND
WAS PLACED IN A DUNGEON; THEN HE WAS TURNED TO STONE.
HIS BROTHER, PAUL, AT THE USUAL TIME, TWISTED HIS MAGIC
RING, AND WHEN IT TURNED BLACK, HE SAID, "MY BROTHER
IS IN TROUBLE; I MUST GO HELP HIM." SO PAUL WENT
BACK TO THE FORK IN THE ROAD AND HEADED IN THIS
BROTHER'S DIRECTION AND CAME UPON THE VILLAGE WHERE
HIS BROTHER'S WIFE AND FAMILY WRE. UPON ARRIVING IN
THE VILLAGE, HE WAS GREETED WITH GREAT JOY AND MISTAKEN
FOR HIS BROTHER, PETER. PAUL SAID NOTHING ABOUT THE
MISTAKE, BECAUSE HE WANTED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED
TO HIS BROTHER. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE PALACE AND WAS
GREETED AS THE LONG-LOST HUSBAND AND SON-IN-LAW. THAT
EVENING, WHEN IT WAS TIME TO RETIRE, PAUL STILL HADN'T
REVEALED HIS IDENTITY, SO HE SLEPT WITH HIS SISTER-IN-
LAW, BUT PUT A SWORD BETWEEN THEM. HIS SISTER-IN-LAW
WONDERED WHY HE DID THIS. HE SAID THAT THAT WAS HOW
HE MUST SLEEP NOW BECAUSE OF A PROMISE HE HAD MADE.
THE NEXT MORNING, HE SET OUT TO FIND HIS BROTHER
ALONG THE SAME ROUTE HIS BROTHER HAD TAKEN. HE CAME
UPON A GREAT PALACE AND INSIDE HE FOUND A WHOLE
ROOM FULL OF STATUES, WHICH IN REALITY WERE PEOPLE
WHO HAD BEEN TURNED TO STONE BY THE WICKED WITCH. HE
RECOGNIZED HIS BROTHER AND REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED.
HE HID HIMSELF, UNTIL THE WITCH CAME TO THE ROOM. AS
SOON AS SHE RETURNED, BEFORE SHE HAD A CHANCE TO WORK HER
SPELL ON HIM, HE TOOK HER SWORD AND SLEW HER.
IMMEDIATELY, SHE TURNED TO SMOKE AND DISAPPEARED.
AT THAT MOMENT ALL THE STATUES CAME BACK TO LIFE. THE
BROTHERS EMBRACED AND RETURNED TO PETER'S KINGDOM.
ON THE WAY BACK HE TOLD HIS BROTHER WHAT HAD
HAPPENED WHEN HE CAME TO HIS KINGDOM--HOW HE HAD
BEEN TAKEN FOR HIM. AND HE TOLD HIM THE EPISODE
ABOUT THE SWORD. PETER REFUSED TO BELIEVE HIM AND
THOUGHT HIS BROTHER HAD BETRAYED HIM. PETER BECAME
FURIOUS AND KILLED PAUL. THAT NIGHT, WHEN HE WAS
GOING TO BED, HIS WIFE SAID TO HIM, "WHY, PETER,
WHERE'S YOUR SWORD? YOU SAID YOU MUST SLEEP WITH THE
SWORD BETWEEN US." AT THAT MOMENT, PETER REALIZED
THAT HIS BROTHER WAS TELLING THE TRUTH. WITH GREAT
PAIN AND ANGUISH, HE TOOK HIS SWORD AND SLEW HIMSELF.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT GOD THIS STORY FROM HER MOTHER

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): TWINS

Date learned: 03-06-1970

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MARCHEN

ONCE THERE WAS A KING WHO HAD THREE SONS AND THEY WERE ALL
BELOVED. BEHIND THE KING'S PALACE THERE WAS A LARGE AREA WITH
SILKEN GRASS. THE GUARDS TOLD THE KING THAT THEY SAW A MYSTER-
IOUS ANIMAL GRAZE THERE, A BEAUTIFUL WHITE STALLION, BUT THEY
COULD NEVER CATCH IT. THE ELDEST SON OF THE KING GOT PERMISSION
FROM HS FATHER TO TRY TO CAPTURE THE STALLION. AS HE WAS GOING
HE MET A LITTLE MOUSE. THE MOUSE ASKED FOR A LITTLE SOMETHING
TO EAT BUT THE SON TOLD HIM TO GET AWAY. THE ELDEST SON LAID
DOWN IN THE GRASS TO WAIT FOR THE HORSE, BUT A SOFT MILD WIND
LULLED HIM TO SLEEP AND WHEN HE WOKE UP IT WAS VERY LATE. EXACTLY
THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE SECOND SON. FINALLY, AFTER MUCH
PLEADING THE YOUNGEST SON WAS ALLOWED TO GO. THE LITTLE MOUSE
ASKED HIM FOR SOME FOOD AND THE BOY GAVE HIM SOME FROM HIS POCKET.
AS HE RODE AWAY THE LITTLE MOUSE SAID, "A GOOD DEED DESERVES A
GOOD DEED" BUT THE BOY COULDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW A LITTLE MOUSE
COULD EVER DO ANYTHING FOR HIM. THE PRINCE LAID DOWN IN THE
GRASS AND HE TOO WAS LULLED ASLEEP BY THE SOFT, MILD WIND. BUT
THE MOUSE NIBBLED ON HIS EAR AND WOKE HIM UP. WHEN HE WOKE UP
HE SAW THE BEAUTIFUL HORSE. HE JUMPED UP ON THE HORSE'S BACK AND
RIGHT AWAY. THE HORSE DISAPPEARED AND THERE WAS A BEAUTIFUL GIRL,
THE FAIRYLIKE ILONA. SHE EXPLAINED TO THE PRINCE THAT SHE HAD
BEEN TRANSFORMED. SHE HAD NEEDED SOMEONE TO STAY AWAKE TO MOUNT
HER. THE KING TOLD HIS SON THAT HE COULD MARRY THE GIRL AND HE
GAVE THEM A BIG WEDDING.
"HERE'S THE END, NOW RUN AWAY WITH IT."

Submitter comment: DR. DAMIN LEARNED THIS STORY FROM HER MOTHER IN HUNGARY. SHE
SAYS THAT MOST OF THE TALES SHE HEARD AS A CHILD ENDED WITH THIS
TRADITIONAL ENDING TRANSLATED FROM THE HUNGARIAN.

Where learned: HUNGARY

Date learned: 01-00-1964

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TALE

A BOY AND HIS SISTER ARE WALKING THROUGH A FOREST AND THEY CAME TO
A STREAM. THE BOY BENDS OVER TO TAKE A DRINK BUT THE GIRL TELLS
HIM NOT TO BECAUSE IT'S ENCHANTED. HE DIDN'T LISTEN TO HER AND HE
TURNED INTO A DEER. SHE TOOK A LITTLE BELL AND PUT IT AROUND HIS
NECK AND THEY WENT TO LIVE IN A COTTAGE BY THE EDGE OF THE FOREST.
FOR A LONG TIME EVERYBODY TRIES TO KILL THE DEER BECAUSE IT IS
SUCH A BEAUTY. ONE DAY THE OLD KING DIED AND HIS YOUNG SON BECAME
KING. HE DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO CAPTURE THE DEER AND HAVE HIM
FOR A BANQUET. SO HE SENT OUT SPIES TO FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS THAT
THE DEER ALWAYS DISAPPEARED TO. THE SPIES SAID THAT THE DEER
ALWAYS WENT INTO A COTTAGE BY THE EDGE OF THE FOREST.
ONE DAY THE GIRL HAD GONE OUT TO GET SOME FOOD. WHEN SHE CAME
BACK SHE SAW THAT THERE HAD BEEN A STRUGGLE IN THE COTTAGE AND THE
LITTLE BELL WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR. SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO
BUT A BIRD TOLD HER THAT THE DEER HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE CASTLE FOR
A BANQUET. SHE HURRIED TO THE KING, FORCED HER WAY PAST ALL THE
GUARDS, AND TOLD THE YOUNG KING THE WHOLE STORY. HE SAID, "HOW
CAN YOU PROVE IT?" SO SHE ASKED HIM TO TAKE HER TO THE DEER.
WHEN THE DEER SAW HER HE RUSHED RIGHT UP AND STARTED LICKING HER.
HE HAD BEEN MEAN TO EVERYONE ELSE SO THE KING KNEW SHE WAS TELLING
THE TRUTH. THE KING SENT OUT HIS SPIES TO CATCH THE OLD WITCH WHO
HAD ENCHANTED THE FOREST. THEY CAUGHT HER AND JUST BEFORE THEY
KILLED HER, HER IRON NOSE FELL OFF. AS SOON AS IT DID THE DEER
WAS CHANGED INTO A BOY AGAIN. THE KING DECIDED TO MARRY THE GIRL
AND THAT'S THE END OF THE STORY.

Submitter comment: MISS DAMIN'S HUNGARIAN GRANDMOTHER TOLD HER THIS TALE WHEN SHE
WAS A YOUNG GIRL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNGARY ; DETROIT

Date learned: 01-00-1964

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HEALING WATERS

ONE WINTER A GREAT PLAGUE STRUCK AND MANY INDIANS DIED. ONE YOUNG
MAN NAMED MONTA HAD LOST ALL HIS FAMILY BUT HIS NEW WIFE, WHO WAS
ILL. MONTA PRAYED TO MANITOU, THE GREAT SPIRIT, TO GIVE HIM A
PLANT WHICH WOULD CURE HIS WIFE. AFTER HIS PRAYER, HE COVERED HIS
WIFE WITH SOFT FIRS AND BEGAN HIS SEARCH OVER THE SNOW-COVERED
EARTH. FOR THREE DAYS HE SEARCHED, BUT THE PLANTS WERE ALL SLEEP-
ING UNTIL SPRING AND NO ANIMALS WERE IN SIGHT. FINALLY HE FELL
ASLEEP. ALL THE ANIMALS OF THE FOREST GATHERED AROUND, FOR HE
HAD ALWAYS BEEN GOOD TO THEM. THEY PRAYED TO THE GREAT SPIRIT TO
HELP MONTA. THE GREAT SPIRIT HEARD AND SENT MONTA A DREAM. IN
THE DREAM MONTA SAW HIS WIFE WELL AND HEARD HER SINGING. SHE SANG
OF THE HEALING WATERS OF THE GREAT MANITOU. WHEN MONTA AWOKE HE
HEARD THE WATERS SINGING AND BEGAN TO DIG UNDER HIS FEET. UP
SPRANG THE HEALING WATERS. HE WASHED IN THE WATER AND BECAME
STRONG. HE TOOK WATER TO HIS WIFE AND SHE WAS SAVED. FROM THEN
ON, THE PEOPLE OF THE VILLAGE BATHED IN THE SPRING AND WERE NEVER
ILL AGAIN.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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THE HITCH-HIKER GIRL

ONE NIGHT IT WAS RAINING VERY HARD. TWO PEOPLE WERE DRIVING DOWN
THE ROAD TOWARD WALLACEBURG. BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THEY SAW A
GIRL DRESSED IN A FORMAL, WAITING FOR A RIDE. THEY STOPPED THE
CAR AND ASKED HER IF THEY COULD GIVE HER A LIFT. SHE GOT IN AND
THEY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NOT A DROP OF WATER ON HER. ON THE
WAY TO WALLACEBURG, ONE OF THE PEOPLE TURNED AROUND TO TALK TO
HER AND SHE WAS GONE.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS INFORMATION FROM HER UNCLE, ALEX
MACDONALD, IN ABOUT 1925 IN PORT LAMBTON. HE TOLD HER THAT THIS
HAS HAPPENED TO QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WHILE GOING TO WALLACEBURG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; PORT LAMBTON

Date learned: 05-12-1965 ; 00001925 CA

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A POLISH LEGEND

THERE IS A POLISH TALE ABOUT THE BELLS ON THE STEEPLE OF A REBUILT
CHURCH IN HEL ON THE BALTIC SEA. THERE LIVED, SO THEY SAY, A GIRL
WHO WAS TOTALLY DEAF, SO ALL SHE COULD DO WAS TO GUARD THE GOATS
IN THE PASTURE. BUT STRANGELY SHE WAS ABLE TO HEAR THOSE BELLS AS
IF THEY CALLED OUT HER NAME, JOANNA. ONE DAY SEVEN BELLS WERE
GONE AND THE GIRL WAS THE FIRST TO NOTICE THE SILENCE. PEOPLE WERE
DISMAYED AND DOWNHEARTED AND THEY BEGAN TO FEAR THAT THEY DID NOT
LIVE ACCORDING TO GOD'S COMMANDMENT, SO THE BELLS LEFT THEM.
ONE DAY THE GIRL WAS WALKING THROUGH THE FOREST AND SHE SEEMED TO
HEAR SOME RINGING.
SEARCHING IN THE GRASS, TO HER GREAT JOY, (SHE FOUND) ALL THE
BELLS. SHE DECIDED TO TAKE THEM BACK BUT THEY WERE HEAVY; SHE
ALMOST CRIED. SUDDENLY SHE HEARD THE BIG BELL SAY, "BIM, BAM,
BUM, TAKE ME FIRST, I AM THE FATHER AND THE OTHERS WILL FOLLOW."
SHE PICKED HIM UP AND FOUND HE WAS LIGHT. SHE MANAGED TO HANG
THEM UP IN THE CHURCH STEEPLE AND WHEN THE PEOPLE CAME TO MASS,
MINDING NOW TO BE ON TIME, SHE PULLED THE ROPE AND THE BELLS
STARTED TO RING. THEY RING TO THIS DAY, REMINDING THE PEOPLE,
MOSTLY FISHERMEN, TO LEAD AN HONEST LIFE SO THE BELLS WOULD NEVER
GO AWAY AND HIDE.

Submitter comment: THIS LEGEND MY GRANDMOTHER KNEW FROM HER CHILDHOOD DAYS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Date learned: 10-28-1967

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LEGEND ABOUT AN IRISHMAN

THERE ONCE WAS AN IRISHMAN NAMED JACK. JACK WAS KICKED
OUT OF HEAVEN BECAUSE OF HIS MISERLINESS. HE WAS
STOPPED AT HELL'S GATE BY THE DEVIL BECAUSE OF ALL THE
PRACTICAL JOKES HE HAD PLAYED ON THE DEVIL. SO NOW HE
WALKS THE EARTH, BOBBING FOR APPLES, TELLING FORTUNES
AND GHOST STORIES WITH HIS LANTERN UNTIL JUDGEMENT DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-29-1971

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