Offensive content Filter is ON
Your search for IT returned 2941 results.
TRUMPETER OF KRAKOW STORY
LONG AGO THE TARTARS WERE ATTACKING POLAND. THE POLES
HAD CHECKED THE ADVANCE OF THE TARTERS, ON MOST FRONTS,
BUT SOMEHOW THE ENEMIES MANAGED TO GET INTO THE CITY
OF KRAKOW. ALL THE PEOPLE OF THIS CITY HAD FLED WHEN
THEY HEARD THE TARTERS WERE COMING. ONLY ONE MAN
REMAINED, A TRUMPETER, WHO HAD VOWED TO PLAY A HYMN
TO THE VIRGIN MARY ON HIS TRUMPET EVERY DAY IN THE TOWER
OF MARY'S CHURCH IN THE CITY. SINCE HE HAD MADE THIS
VOW, HE COULD NOT FLEE. SO, WHILE THE TARTERS WERE
INVADING THE CITY, THIS TRUMPETER WAS IN THE TOWER
PLAYING. SUDDENLY, HE WAS HIT IN THE HEART BY AN ARROW
OF ONE OF THE TARTERS. HE STOPPED HIS PLAYING IN
MID-NOTE AND DROPPED DEAD. TO THIS DAY, THE POLES PLAY
AND SING THIS HYMN, WHICH THEY CALL THE "HYMN OF THE
BROKEN NOTE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): POLISH TRADITION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-15-1971
Content filter on this entry.
CHRIST CAME BACK TO EARTH AND NOBODY RECOGNIZED HIM.
HE WAS WALKING AROUND AND HAPPENED TO STROLL INTO A
JEWISH SYNAGOGUE AND WAS TALKING TO THE RABBI. THE
RABBI LOOKED PECULIARILY AT HIM AND COMPLAINING OF
POOR EYESIGHT ASKED HIM TO MOVE BACK A FEW STEPS.
CHRIST DID. NOW AT THE BACK OF THE CHURCH THERE WAS A
HUGE CROSS (ED. NOTE. WHAT A CROSS WAS DOING IN A
JEWISH SYNAGOGUE I DON'T KNOW. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE
TELLER HE SAID IT WAS JUST THE WAY THE JOKE WAS TOLD.)
AND WHEN THE RABBI HAD BACKED CHRIST TO IT, HE QUICKLY
PULLED OUT A HAMMER AND NAILS AND NAILED CHRIST TO THE
CROSS, SAYING "GOT YOU AGAIN, AND THIS TIME YOU WON'T
GET AWAY."
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; RODNEY
Keyword(s): ANTISEMITISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 03-25-1965
TWO SISTERS WERE HOME ALONE FOR THE NIGHT AND HAD
RETIRED TO BED. THEY HEARD A STRANGE NOISE DOWNSTAIRS
AND THE BRAVE ONE DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE. SHE
RETURNED SHORTLY, AND GOT INTO BED. WHEN HER SISTER
QUESTIONED HER, SHE MADE NO SOUNDS THE OTHER SISTER
GOT OUT OF BED TO SEE WHAT WAS THE MATTER WITH HER
AND FOUND HER SISTER LYING IN BED, HAIR TURNED WHITE
AND BODY COLD AS ICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HAIR TURNED WHITE FROM FRIGHT.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
A GIRL RETURNING FROM A PARTY WAS OFFERED A RIDE BY
TWO FELLOWS DRIVING HOME FROM THE SAME PARTY. SHE
ACCEPTED, AND WHEN SHE LEFT THE CAR, THE BOYS SAID
THEY WOULD WAIT FOR A LIGHT TO APPEAR IN THE DARK
HOUSE, TO BE CERTAIN SHE WAS SAFE. SHE TOLD THEM
NOT TO BOTHER.
IGNORING THE LAST COMMENT, THEY WAITED QUITE A WHILE,
AND STILL NO LIGHT APPEARED. SO THEY WENT TO THE
DOOR AND KNOCKED. AN OLDER COUPLE APPEARED, APPARENTLY
AWAKENED FROM THEIR SLEEP. AFTER BEING TOLD THE
SITUATION, THEY EXPLAINED THAT THEIR DAUGHTER HAD
DIED TEN YEARS AGO, THAT DAY, IN A CAR ACCIDENT,
RETURNING FROM A PARTY. THEY FELT THAT THIS WAS HER
REMINDER TO THEM TO PRAY THE PRAYERS THEY HAD PLEDGED
FOR HER, TO GET HER SOUL OUT OF PURGATORY.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS STORY FROM THE NUNS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): VANISHING HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
SOME FRIENDS OF THE INFORMANT WERE DRIVING THROUGH
CANADA, TO EXPO' 67 THIS SUMMER, WHEN THEY SAW A NUN
WAITING FOR A RIDE. THEY OFFERED HER ONE, WHICH
SHE ACCEPTED. THEY HAD QUITE AN AVID CONVERSATION
DURING THE TRIP TO HER CONVENT. AT ONE POINT, THEY
NOTICED SHE STOPPED TALKING, AND, ON LOOKING IN THE
BACK SEAT, THEY SAW THAT SHE HAD DISAPPEARED.
THEY DROVE TO HER CONVENT ANYWAY TO EXPLAIN THE
SITUATION. THERE, THEY FOUND OUT THAT THE NUN HAD
BEEN DEAD FOR THREE YEARS.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): VANISHING HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-23-1967
GENERAL DE GAULLE WAS BUYING CEMETERY PLOTS.
THE GUY SAID IT COST $2,000. DE GAULLE SAID, "ISN'T
THAT QUITE A BIT--I ONLY PLAN ON STAYING THREE DAYS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FRENCH ; RESURRECTION IMMORTALITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 11-30-1967
SHOOTING A HAT
I WAS HUNTING IN THE LOWER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN WITH A GROUP OF
FOUR OTHER MEN. WE LINED UP FIFTY YARDS FROM EACH OTHER AND
WALKED DUE NORTH. WE SAW A RUSTLING IN THE LEAVES. I WENT UP
TO THE SPOT AND SHOT, AND THEN A HAT CAME FLYING OUT OF THE
LEAVES. I'D HIT ONE OF MY COMPANIONS WHO HAD STRAYED OFF. SO
NOW I REFUSE TO HUNT IN THE LOWER PENINSULA, BECAUSE THERE ARE
TOO MANY HUNTERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY
Keyword(s): CROWDED CONDITIONS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
GHOST STORY
ON A STREET CALLED TANGLEWOOD ON BELLE ISLE IN DETROIT
{MICHIGAN}, TEENAGERS USUALLY WENT AT NIGHT TO HAVE
DRINKING PARTIES. THEY SAID THEY ALWAYS SAW A GHOST
DRIVING A WHITE OLDSMOBILE. ONE NIGHT A TEENAGE GIRL
WAS DRIVING ALONE--OUT TO MEET HER FRIENDS ON TANGLEWOOD.
AS SHE WAS DRIVING SHE SAW THIS OLDSMOBILE WITH A GHOST
WHITE DRIVER AND SHE GOT SO SCARED SHE CRASHED INTO A
TREE AND GOT KILLED. NOW THE KIDS SAW THIS AND THEY
SAY THAT IF YOU GO THERE AT NIGHT AND TURN YOUR HEAD-
LIGHTS ON INTO THE WOOD YOU CAN SEE THE YOUNG GIRL
WANDERING AROUND. THEY ALSO SAY THAT HER MOTHER WENT
CRAZY AND ALSO WANDERS AROUND IN THE WOODS AT NIGHT
DRESSED IN WHITE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): TANGLEWOOD, BELLE ISLE, DETROIT, OLDSMOBILE, HEADLIGHTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 04-05-1972
CONVERSION OF A NON-CATHOLIC
TEXT KEYPUNCHED IN NOVEMBER, 1972--ALSO IN 5X8 FILE CABINET
JIM'S INFORMANT WAS SISTER GODFREY (SISTER OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE
AT SAINT SYLVESTER'S IN PITTSBURGH). SR. GODFREY WAS JIM'S 4TH
GRADE TEACHER. THERE WAS A CATHOLIC HATER WHO MADE A LITTLE CATHOLIC
GIRL STEAL A HOST. HE WANTED TO NAIL THE HOST ON A TELEPHONE POLE
IN FRONT OF A CHURCH. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO CARRY IT OUT, THE
TELEPHONE POLE SPURTED BLOOD AND HE WAS CONVERTED.
Submitter comment:
JIM'S INFORMANT WAS SISTER GODFREY IN HIS FOURTH GRADE CLASS
IN PITTSBURGH
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHRISTIANITY ; EUCHARIST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 12-07-1972
THE RARIE
ONE TIME THERE WAS THIS MAN WHO LIVED ALL ALONE, AND HE
VERY OFTEN FELT PRETTY LONESOME. MANY FRIENDS OF HIS HAD
SUGGESTED THAT HE GO OUT AND BUY HIMSELF A PET TO KEEP
HIM COMPANY, BUT HE JUST DIDN'T CARE FOR PETS AS A RULE--
UNLESS IT WAS THE ONLY KIND OF ITS SPECIE IN THE WORLD.
THIS MAN USED TO MAKE WEEKLY ROUNDS TO ALL THE PET SHOPS
IN HIS CITY TO SEE IF THEY HAD POSSIBLY COME UP WITH A
PET WHICH WOULD REALLY TICKLE HIS FANCY, BUT HE NEVER
FOUND ONE THAT WAS QUITE RIGHT. HE LOOKED AT YELLOW-AND-
RED ELEPHANTS, PURPLE POLAR BEARS, ORANGE AARDVARKS, AND
EQUALLY STRANGE ANIMALS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, BUT
HE STILL FELT HE WOULDN'T BE SATISFIED WITH THESE.
AFTER ALL, EVERYONE IN HIS CITY HAD AT LEAST ONE ORANGE
AARDVARK.
THIS FELLA HAD JUST ABOUT GIVEN UP ALL HOPE OF FINDING
WHAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR, WHEN ONE DAY HE HAPPENED TO
WANDER INTO A LITTLE PET SHOP AND IMMEDIATELY SPOTTED
THE MOST ADORABLE LITTLE LUMP OF FUR HE HAD EVER SEEN.
HE KNEW AT THAT INSTANT IT WAS EXACTLY WHAT HE HAD BEEN
LOOKING FOR ALL HIS LIFE. HE ASKED THE PROPRIETOR ABOUT
THIS LITTLE ANIMAL, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A "RARIE," THE
ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND IN EXISTENCE. THE MAN JUST COULDN'T
RESIST, AND HE BOUGHT IT RIGHT THERE ON THE SPOT, AND
WALKED HOME WITH IT IN A LITTLE CAGE, HAPPIER THAN HE
HAD EVER BEEN IN HIS WHOLE LIFE.
WELL, SIR, THIS HERE FELLA REALLY LOVED HIS NEW PET. HE
DIDN'T MIND AT ALL HAVING TO WALK 37 MILES EACH WEEK IN
ORDER TO BUY THE LITTLE FELLA FOOD! AFTER ALL, RARIE-
FOOD ISN'T TOO EASY TO COME BY THESE DAYS--ESPECIALLY
IN THE OFF-SEASON. HE BECAME SO ATTACHED TO IT, YOU
WOULD THINK IT WAS HIS CHILD. HE FED IT, BATHED IT, AND
EXERCISED IT DAILY, AS HE PROUDLY WATCHED IT GROW, AND
GROW, AND GROW, AND GROW. THIS SEEMED TO BE THE ONLY
REAL PROBLEM WITH HAVING A PET SUCH AS THIS. WHEN WELL
CARED FOR, RARIES GROW TO AN ENORMOUS SIZE! AFTER ABOUT A
MONTH, THE MAN FOUND IT NECESSARY TO MOVE OUT OF HIS
APARTMENT AND BUY A SMALL HOUSE SO THAT HIS PET WOULD
HAVE ROOM TO ROMP AND FROLIC (RARIES NEED LOTS OF ROOM
TO ROMP AND FROLIC AND THEY GET CLAUSTROPHOBIA VERY
EASILY). SURE ENOUGH, A COUPLE MONTHS LATER THE MAN
HAD TO MOVE OUT OF HIS LITTLE HOUSE AND INTO A BIG
HOUSE, JUST SO HIS PET COULD ROMP AND FROLIC TO ITS HEART'S
DESIRE. OF COURSE, THE MAN DIDN'T MIND HAVING TO MAKE
THE MOVE--HE LOVED THAT PET LIKE A CHILD. BUT IT WASN'T
LONG BEFORE THE MAN REALIZED THAT EVEN HIS NICE, BIG HOUSE
STILL WASN'T BIG ENOUGH, AND SO HE BOUGHT A SMALL RANCH,
JUST SO HIS PET WOULD HAVE ROOM TO ROMP AND FROLIC, WITH
ALWAYS THE HOPE IN MIND THAT HIS RARIE WOULD SOON BECOME
FULL GROWN AND WOULDN'T REQUIRE MORE ROOM THAN HE ALREADY
HAD.
THIS, HOWEVER, WAS NOT QUITE THE CASE. NO SOONER THAN
THEY HAD FINALLY SETTLED ON THEIR NICE, LITTLE RANCH, THE
MAN REALIZED THAT WITHIN A FEW MONTHS HIS RARIE WOULD NEED
MORE ROOM YET, JUST SO HIS PET WOULD HAVE THE ROOM TO ROMP
AND FROLIC.
THE MAN WAS GETTING DESPERATE. HE HAD VISIONS OF HIS
WONDERFUL LITTLE PET BECOMING ALTOGETHER TOO BIG TO
MAINTAIN. AS A LAST RESORT, HE WENT OUT AND BOUGHT THE
BIGGEST RANCH HE COULD FIND, KNOWING THAT THIS WAS THE
LAST MOVE HE WAS ABLE TO MAKE FOR THE SAKE OF HIS PET.
SURE, HE LOVED THE ANIMAL AND HAD GROWN VERY ATTACHED TO
IT, BUT HE KNEW THERE WAS A LIMIT.
AFTER THE MAN AND HIS RARIE HAD LIVED ON THE BIG RANCH
FOR ABOUT A YEAR, DURING WHICH HIS LITTLE COMPANION
CONTINUED GROWING AT A FANTASTIC RATE, HE KNEW THEY WOULD
HAVE TO PART, AS MUCH AS IT HURT BOTH OF THEM. ONE WINTER
EVENING THE MAN PRETENDED HE WAS GOING TO TAKE HIS PET
FOR A WALK IN THE WOODS, AND WITH A TEAR IN HIS EYE, THE
MAN STARTED WALKING WITH THE RARIE FOLLOWING ON A LEASH.
THEY WALKED QUIETLY UNTIL ALMOST DAYBREAK, AND THE MAN THEN
TIED THE LEASH TO A LARGE TREE, BID THE RARIE A SAD
FAREWELL, AND QUICKLY WENT BACK TO HIS HOUSE BEFORE HE
HAD A LAST MINUTE CHANGE OF HEART.
WHEN HE FINALLY GOT BACK TO HIS HOUSE, WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE
HE SAW SITTING ALONGSIDE (AND TOWERING OVER) HIS HOUSE?
WHY, IF IT WASN'T HIS ONE AND ONLY PET RARIE, JUST AS
HAPPY AND PLAYFUL AS COULD BE, WAITING PATIENTLY FOR ITS
MASTER TO RETURN AND FEED IT. THE MAN COULDN'T BELIEVE
HIS EYES! HE WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE IT AGAIN. AT THIS
MOMENT, THE MAN DECIDED TO AT LEAST KEEP THE RARIE UNTIL
THE SPRING, BUT WHEN THE FIRST THAW COMES, HE WOULD ONCE
AGAIN HAVE TO GET RID OF HIS WONDERFUL PET.
AFTER A LONG, COLD, CRAMPED WINTER, THE FIRST THAW SET IN
AND ONCE AGAIN THE MAN SET OUT TO DISPOSE OF HIS PET,
WHICH, BY NOW, HAD EVEN OUTGROWN THE BIG RANCH. THERE
WAS NO WAY OUT, SO THE MAN GOT A LARGE TRUCK, AND PUT THE
RARIE INTO IT AND DROVE TO A VERY HIGH CLIFF NOT FAR FROM
HIS RANCH. HE BACKED THE DUMPTRUCK TO THE EDGE OF THE
CLIFF AND ACTIVATED THE MECHANISM CAUSING THE RARIE TO
START TO SLIDE OUT AND OVER THE EDGE. THE RARIE DIDN'T
KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING WHEN IT LOOKED OUT AND SAW NOTHING
BELOW IT FOR HUNDREDS OF FEET. WITH A VERY INQUISITIVE
LOOK ON ITS FACE, IT TURNED AROUND TO THE MAN. "HEY!"
IT EXCLAIMED, "IT"S A LONG WAY TO TIP A RARIE!'
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): SONG: IT'S A LONG WAY TO TIPPERARY
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
(STORY WITH A PUN ON AN ADVERTIZING SLOGAN)
THE JOLLY GREEN GIANT WAS GETTING ALL THE ROYALTIES FOR
HIS COMMERCIALS AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE, CALLED TRIDS,
WEREN'T GETTING ANYTHING FOR THEIR PART IN THE COMMER-
CIALS. THIS MADE THE TRIDS VERY ANGRY AND SO THEY
DECIDED TO GET RID OF THE JOLLY GREEN GIANT. SO, 150
TRIDS CLIMBED UP HIS LEG AND TRIED TO PULL HIM OVER A
CLIFF, BUT THE GIANT JUST KICKED THEM OFF HIS LEG.
SO, 1500 TRIDS CLIMBED UP HIS LEG, BUT THE GIANT ONLY
KICKED THEM OFF, TOO. FINALLY, 15,000,000,000 TRIDS
AND ONE RABBI CLIMBED UP THE GIANT'S LEG, BUT HE KICKED
ALL THE TRIDS OFF HIS LEG, BUT LET THE RABBI STAY.
WHEN THE RABBI ASKED WHY HE WAS SAVED, THE JOLLY GREEN
GIANT ANSWERED, "SILLY RABBI, KICKS ARE FOR TRIDS."
Data entry tech comment: SEE B667.1-120 FOR FURTHER EXPLANATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ARRIVING ; NEW BALTIMORE
Keyword(s): SILLY RABBIT, KIX ARE FOR KIDS.
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 10-30-1969
NEAR CURTIS, OHIO THERE IS A LEGEND OF A WOMAN AND
HER GARDENER LOVER WHO PLOTTED AND KILLED THIS WOMAN'S
HUSBAND. A FEW YEARS AFTER THE MURDER, THE GARDENER
DIED AND THE WOMAN BECAME A VIRTUAL HERMIT. THIS IS
BECAUSE, AS THE LEGEND GOES, HER HUSBAND'S GHOST
SWORE THAT IF SHE EVER LEFT THE HOUSE OR PREMISES,
HE WOULD KILL HER.
Submitter comment: BRIAN LEARNED THIS WHILE ON VACATION NEAR CURTIS, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CURTIS
Keyword(s): FAITHLESSNESS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-15-1967
WHITE LADY
AT BELLE ISLE {DETROIT, MICHIGAN} AT THE LOVER'S LANE,
THERE IS SAID TO BE A "WHITE LADY." SHE COMES OUT
DRESSED COMPLETELY IN WHITE. SHE TERRORIZES THE
PEOPLE THERE AT NIGHT. SHE IS SAID TO HAVE A HOOK
FOR ONE HAND. ONE NIGHT A COUPLE WAS JUST LEAVING
WHEN SHE CAME OUT. LATER ON THAT NIGHT, THEY FOUND
A HOOK ON THE CAR. IT WAS ON THE DOOR HANDLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOST WITH HOOK FOR HAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-00-1965
PIESTUPYS -- A LITHUANIAN FOREST
WHILE MY FATHER WAS A LITTLE BOY, HE HEARD VARIOUS TALES
TOLD ABOUT THIS FOREST. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HAUNTED;
FOR IN THERE, THE DUKE OF LITHUANIA (VYTAUTAS)
PUNISHED THE ENEMY OF LITHUANIA. IT IS TOLD THAT THE
GHOSTS OF THOSE KILLED BY HIM OR ANY OF THE SOULS THAT
AREN'T AT PEACE (SUCH AS SUICIDES, MURDERS, THOSE
MANGLED TO DEATH BY THE WOLVES AND THE WILD MAD DOGS)
HAUNT THIS FOREST AND TRY TO REVENGE THEIR DEATHS BY
SCARING THE PASSERSBY TO DEATH.
MY FATHER SPEAKING: {COLLECTOR'S FATHER} 1). ONE OF THE
TALES TOLD IS THAT FIERY PILLARS ROSE UP. THEY WALKED
DOWN A WAYS ON THE SHORE OF SVENTOJI (A RIVER IN
LITHUANIA) AND DISAPPEARED. ONE OF THE OLDER MEN IN
OUR VILLAGE SAID THAT IS THE ANCIENT GOLD AND
SILVER. AND WHERE THOSE POLES, PILLARS, RISE UP OR
DISAPPEAR, THAT'S WHERE THE MONEY IS SUPPOSED TO BE
BURIED.
ME: DO YOU THINK THIS IS TRUE?
FATHER: NO, IT COUL'VE BEEN ANYTHING; REFLECTIONS
OF SOME SORT OR EVEN THE RUSSIAN SPIES WITH THEIR
TORCHES. IT COULD'VE BEEN A NUMBER OF THINGS.
ME: ARE MOST OF THE STORIES REVOLVE ABOUT THINGS?
NOT PEOPLE OR ANIMALS?
FATHER: OH, THEY SAY THAT THERE ARE MANY STRANGE
THINGS HAPPENING IN THAT FOREST. FOR ONE, THERE WAS THE
TIME...
2) ONE OF THE MEN IN THE TOWN WENT TO THE MARKET TO SELL
HIS GOODS. AFTER BEING DELAYED IN TOWN, HE HAD TO COME
HOME LATE AT NIGHT AND TO CROSS THAT FOREST. MOREOVER,
THE MOON WAS OUT. HE WAS RIGHT BY WHERE THE BRIDGE
WAS SAINT JOHN'S CROSS...AND HE SEES: BY SAINT JOHN'S
CROSS, THERE WERE DANCING YOUNG GIRLS DRESSED IN WHITE
AND SEEMED AS IF THEY WERE FLOATING ON AIR. BUT THEN
HE LOOKED TO THE OTHER SIDE AND HE SAW A NAKED MAN
ROLLING AND LAUGHING IN THE SNOW. HE (THE FARMER)
SAID THAT EVERY HAIR ON HIS HEAD STOOD ON END AND SPED
HOME LIKE HE NEVER HAD BEFORE! HE WONDERED FOR A LONG
TIME AFTER THAT HOW HE MANAGED TO "ESCAPE" ALIVE THAT
NIGHT.
ME: DID YOU BELIEVE HIM?
FATHER: ALL US YOUNGER KIDS DID, WE WERE TOO YOUNG.
OF COURSE, IT COULD'VE BEEN HIS IMAGINATION.
ME: DID YOU HEAR ANY OTHER STORIES ABOUT PIESTUPYS?
FATHER: YES, BUT VERY VERY SHORT ONES.
FOR EXAMPLE, SOMEONE SAID THAT THEY SAW AND HEARD A
BLACK PONY RUNNING ALONG THE SLOPES OF THE FOREST.
OR SOMETIMES OTHERS SAY THAT THEY'VE SEEN A GRAY OLD
GOAT BLEETING {BLEATING} UNDER A TREE.
ME: BUT WHAT IS IT MAINLY THAT SCARED THE PEOPLE
SO MUCH?
FATHER: WELL, THERE IN THE FOREST, THREE THIEVES HUNG
THEMSELVES AND THEY'RE BURIED UNDER SOME PINE TREES
SIDE BY SIDE. AND THE PEOPLE USED TO SAY THAT THEY
STARTED ARGUING WHO ROBBED MORE PEOPLE AND WHO STOLE
THE MOST RICHES, AND AFTER A WHILE, THEY HAD RISEN ALL
THE OTHER DEAD AND TAKEN SIDES. BUT IT WAS REALLY OF
THOSE THREE THIEVES THAT EVERYONE WAS AFRAID OF.
ME: WERE YOU EVER IN THAT FOREST AND HAVE SOMETHING
HAPPEN TO YOU?
FATHER: YES, RIGHT BEFORE EASTER, MY YOUNGER SISTER
AND I HAD TO GET UP IN THE DARK TO GO TO RECOLLECTIONS.
AND FROM OUR VILLAGE TO THE TOWN AND CHURCH WAS TO GO
THROUGH THE FOREST. SO WE SET OUT...STILL DARK. I
HAD NEVER REALLY THOUGHT MUCH OF THOSE STORIES I HAD
HEARD, BUT NOW THEY ALL CAME BACK VIVIDLY. SO HALF
WAY THERE, I PICKED OUT LONG STRONG PIECES OF WOOD FOR
MY SISTER AND I TO PROTECT OURSELVES--MAINLY FROM THE
DOGS.
WE HAD PASSED HALF OF THE FOREST PEACEFULLY, BUT SUDDENLY
UP AHEAD, WE SAW A THING COMING--IT HAD A HUMAN SHAPE
AND WALKED LIKE A HUMAN. WE BOTH THOUGHT IT WAS ONE OF
THE DEAD, SO WE BOTH SAT DOWN HUGGING EACH OTHER, HOPING
THAT THE THING WOULD PASS. SUDDENLY, I HEARD THE THING
REAL CLOSE BY AND SHUT MY EYES. BUT THEN IT GAVE US THE
LITHUANIAN GREETING: "MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOU." AND
MY SISTER ANSWERED! IT TURNED OUT TO BE A MIDDLE-AGED
WOMAN DRESSED IN A WHITE FUR COAT! SHE ASKED US IF WE
WERE GOING TO CHURCH AND THEN JUST WENT ON HER WAY.
ME: DIDN'T YOU THINK IT COULD'VE BEEN A SPIRIT?
FATHER: I WAS LITTLE THEN, BUT I KNEW A REAL PERSON
WHEN I SAW ONE! AFTER THAT, I WALKED ON AS BRAVELY
AS EVER AND WAS NEVER SCARED TO GO IN THERE AGAIN!
ME: WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER PEOPLE? DID YOU TELL THEM
WHAT HAPPENED?
FATHER: OH, SURE! BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY DON'T
USUALLY PICK ON LITTLE KIDS.
ME: WERE THERE ANY OTHER INCIDENTS ABOUT THAT FOREST?
FATHER: OH, SURE! I THINK SO-CALLED HAPPENINGS WERE
REPORTED ALL THE TIME UP TO THE TAKEOVER IN 1941. BUT
I DOUBT IT IF MANY OF THE PEOPLE BELIEVED THE STORIES
UP TILL THEN!
ME: DO YOU KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THE FOREST NOW?
FATHER: THE LAST I HEARD WAS THAT HALF OF IT IS
DESTROYED. BY BOMBINGS AND SHELLING AND THE RUSSIANS
DID CUT DOWN MANY, MANY TREES FOR THEIR OWN USE.
Where learned: SOUTHFIELD ; LITHUANIA ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): TROUBLED SPIRITS ANIMALS WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SOORACKS
"SOORACKS" WAS A WORKING MAN OF VERY CLEAN HABITS WHO
LIVED IN THE EAST END OF DUNDEE, SCOTLAND, ABOUT 100
YEARS AGO. HE WOULD COME INTO TOWN EVERY TUESDAY AND
FRIDAY WITH A BASKET SUSPENDED FROM HIS NECK WITH A
SUPPLY OF WATER AND "SOORACKS." WHEN HE HAD GATHERED
AN AUDIENCE, HE GAVE A SHORT LECTURE ON THE HARMFUL
CONSUMPTION OF RED MEAT AND THEN DISTRIBUTED HIS
VEGETABLES AMONG THE BOYS AND GIRLS. NO PAYMENT WAS
ASKED FOR. "SOORACKS" WAS AN EARLY PIONEER OF
VEGETARIANISM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SCOTLAND ; DUNDEE
Keyword(s): EATING HABITS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 01-28-1971 ; 00-00-1871
TRUMPETER OF KRAKOW STORY
LONG AGO THE TARTARS WERE ATTACKING POLAND. THE POLES
HAD CHECKED THE ADVANCE OF THE TARTERS, ON MOST FRONTS,
BUT SOMEHOW THE ENEMIES MANAGED TO GET INTO THE CITY
OF KRAKOW. ALL THE PEOPLE OF THIS CITY HAD FLED WHEN
THEY HEARD THE TARTERS WERE COMING. ONLY ONE MAN
REMAINED, A TRUMPETER, WHO HAD VOWED TO PLAY A HYMN
TO THE VIRGIN MARY ON HIS TRUMPET EVERY DAY IN THE TOWER
OF MARY'S CHURCH IN THE CITY. SINCE HE HAD MADE THIS
VOW, HE COULD NOT FLEE. SO, WHILE THE TARTERS WERE
INVADING THE CITY, THIS TRUMPETER WAS IN THE TOWER
PLAYING. SUDDENLY, HE WAS HIT IN THE HEART BY AN ARROW
OF ONE OF THE TARTERS. HE STOPPED HIS PLAYING IN
MID-NOTE AND DROPPED DEAD. TO THIS DAY, THE POLES PLAY
AND SING THIS HYMN, WHICH THEY CALL THE "HYMN OF THE
BROKEN NOTE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): POLISH TRADITION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-15-1971
Content filter on this entry.
CHRIST CAME BACK TO EARTH AND NOBODY RECOGNIZED HIM.
HE WAS WALKING AROUND AND HAPPENED TO STROLL INTO A
JEWISH SYNAGOGUE AND WAS TALKING TO THE RABBI. THE
RABBI LOOKED PECULIARILY AT HIM AND COMPLAINING OF
POOR EYESIGHT ASKED HIM TO MOVE BACK A FEW STEPS.
CHRIST DID. NOW AT THE BACK OF THE CHURCH THERE WAS A
HUGE CROSS (ED. NOTE. WHAT A CROSS WAS DOING IN A
JEWISH SYNAGOGUE I DON'T KNOW. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE
TELLER HE SAID IT WAS JUST THE WAY THE JOKE WAS TOLD.)
AND WHEN THE RABBI HAD BACKED CHRIST TO IT, HE QUICKLY
PULLED OUT A HAMMER AND NAILS AND NAILED CHRIST TO THE
CROSS, SAYING "GOT YOU AGAIN, AND THIS TIME YOU WON'T
GET AWAY."
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; RODNEY
Keyword(s): ANTISEMITISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 03-25-1965
TWO SISTERS WERE HOME ALONE FOR THE NIGHT AND HAD
RETIRED TO BED. THEY HEARD A STRANGE NOISE DOWNSTAIRS
AND THE BRAVE ONE DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE. SHE
RETURNED SHORTLY, AND GOT INTO BED. WHEN HER SISTER
QUESTIONED HER, SHE MADE NO SOUNDS THE OTHER SISTER
GOT OUT OF BED TO SEE WHAT WAS THE MATTER WITH HER
AND FOUND HER SISTER LYING IN BED, HAIR TURNED WHITE
AND BODY COLD AS ICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HAIR TURNED WHITE FROM FRIGHT.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
A GIRL RETURNING FROM A PARTY WAS OFFERED A RIDE BY
TWO FELLOWS DRIVING HOME FROM THE SAME PARTY. SHE
ACCEPTED, AND WHEN SHE LEFT THE CAR, THE BOYS SAID
THEY WOULD WAIT FOR A LIGHT TO APPEAR IN THE DARK
HOUSE, TO BE CERTAIN SHE WAS SAFE. SHE TOLD THEM
NOT TO BOTHER.
IGNORING THE LAST COMMENT, THEY WAITED QUITE A WHILE,
AND STILL NO LIGHT APPEARED. SO THEY WENT TO THE
DOOR AND KNOCKED. AN OLDER COUPLE APPEARED, APPARENTLY
AWAKENED FROM THEIR SLEEP. AFTER BEING TOLD THE
SITUATION, THEY EXPLAINED THAT THEIR DAUGHTER HAD
DIED TEN YEARS AGO, THAT DAY, IN A CAR ACCIDENT,
RETURNING FROM A PARTY. THEY FELT THAT THIS WAS HER
REMINDER TO THEM TO PRAY THE PRAYERS THEY HAD PLEDGED
FOR HER, TO GET HER SOUL OUT OF PURGATORY.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS STORY FROM THE NUNS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): VANISHING HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
SOME FRIENDS OF THE INFORMANT WERE DRIVING THROUGH
CANADA, TO EXPO' 67 THIS SUMMER, WHEN THEY SAW A NUN
WAITING FOR A RIDE. THEY OFFERED HER ONE, WHICH
SHE ACCEPTED. THEY HAD QUITE AN AVID CONVERSATION
DURING THE TRIP TO HER CONVENT. AT ONE POINT, THEY
NOTICED SHE STOPPED TALKING, AND, ON LOOKING IN THE
BACK SEAT, THEY SAW THAT SHE HAD DISAPPEARED.
THEY DROVE TO HER CONVENT ANYWAY TO EXPLAIN THE
SITUATION. THERE, THEY FOUND OUT THAT THE NUN HAD
BEEN DEAD FOR THREE YEARS.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): VANISHING HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-23-1967