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"Once a dog from a meat market stole a piece of meat and began to
run. On the road, he encountered a small bridge. As he looked down
into the water he saw a larger piece of meat. (Unknown to him, it was
just a reflection of the meat he had in his mouth.) As he opened his
mouth to grab the 'larger piece of meat,' he lost the piece he had.
Moral: Whoever wants more than he or she has loses the little he or
she does have."
Submitter comment: The moral loses much in the translation.
Where learned: GREECE
James Callow Keyword(s): animal fable
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 00001950CA
INDIAN RIDDLE
Q: TWO INDIANS WERE WALKING DOWN A PATH. THE ONE BEHIND THE ONE IN
FRONT WAS THE SON OF THE FIRST ONE. THE FIRST ONE WASN T HIS
FATHER, WHO WAS IT?
A: HIS MOTHER.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS RIDDLE WHILE AT A SORORITY PARTY.
Data entry tech comment: ANOTHER EXAMPLE IN THE 5 X 8 CARD FILES. CK[ FAMILY MEMBERS ; SHORT STORY AS RIDDLE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; PARTICULAR AREA (Q) ; PERSONS (A) ; PERSONS (Q)
James Callow Keyword(s): FAMILY MEMBERS ; SHORT STORY AS RIDDLE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 02-17-1971
ELEPHANT JOKE
WHY DO ELEPHANTS WEAR RED TENNIS SHOES?
TO HIDE IN THE STRAWBERRY FIELDS.
DID YOU EVER SEE AN ELEPHANT IN A STRAWBERRY FIELD?
THEY HIDE PRETTY GOOD, DON'T THEY?
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): COMPARE LION POWDER SHAGGY DOG STORY
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 04-09-1967
FOUND A PEANUT
FOUND A PEANUT, FOUND A PEANUT
FOUND A PEANUT JUST NOW.
I JUST NOW FOUND A PEANUT.
FOUND A PEANUT JUST NOW.
Submitter comment:
EVERY WHERE REPEATS THE SAME REPETITIOUS WAY. I LEARNED THIS SONG
AROUND THIRD GRADE AND ALSO SANG IT AT CYO GIRLS CAMP.
REPEAT SAME AS ABOVE
BROKE IT OPEN
FOUND IT ROTTEN
ATE IT ANYWAY
GOT SICK
CALLED A DOCTOR
SAID I WOULDN'T DIE
DIED ANYWAY
WENT TO HEAVEN
PLAYED A HARP
BROKE A STRING
WENT TO HELL
SHOVELLED COAL
BURNT MY FINGER
OUCH
Data entry tech comment: MY DARLING CLEMENTINE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOD ; TELLER KILLED IN HIS OWN STORY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
SNEAKY
THERE WAS A GUY WO RETIRED HERE AT FORD'S SOME YEARS AGO. FOR A
LONG TIME BEFORE HIS RETIREMENT, HE USED TO GO THROUGH THE PLANT
GATES WITH A WHEELBARROW FULL OF SAW DUST. THE GUARDS WOULD SIFT
THROUGH THE SAWDUST, BUT THEY NEVER FOUND ANYTHING, SO THEY WOULD
LET HIM GO. THIS WENT ON FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. THEN THE DAY OF HIS
RETIREMENT CAME. AFTER THE TRADITIONAL DINNER AND HONORS AND
SPEECHES, THE MAN LEFT THE COMPANY.
BEFORE HE DID, HOWEVER, ONE OF HIS
FELLOW EMPLOYEES ASKED HIM WHAT HE WAS TAKING OUT WITH ALL THOSE
WHEELBARROWS THAT HE HAD BEEN TAKING THROUGH THE GATES ALL THIS
TIME. HE ANSWERED VERY SERIOUSLY, "WHEELBARROWS."
Submitter comment:
(I HEARD THIS STORY, TOLD AS BEING TRUE, FROM MAC MCLAIN AT
THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN DEARBORN WHEN I WORKED THERE IN 1955-569)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): OCCUPATIONAL STORY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 05-00-1965
SCRATCHED ; SCRATCHING AT THE DOOR (KEYPUNCHER'S TITLE)
SEVERAL DECADES AGO A NUMBER OF CO-EDS WERE HATCHETED TO DEATH AT
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY. IT WAS THEN DECREED THAT NO CO-ED WAS TO
GO OUT ALONE AFTER DARK. ONE EVENING A CO-ED FOUND IT NECESSARY TO GO
TO THE LIBRARY TO FIND A BOOK WHICH SHE NEEDED FOR AN EXAM ON THE
NEXT DAY. HER ROOMMATE WAS ILL, THE CO-ED WENT OUT ALONE. LATER IN
THE EVENING THE ILL CO-ED HEARD SCRATCHING AT HER DOOR. FRIGHTENED
SHE PUSHED A DRESSER AGAINST THE DOOR AND WAITED. NOTHING FURTHER
WAS HEARD, AND SHE FELL ASLEEP. WHEN SHE AWOKE IN THE MORNING, HER
ROOMMATE HADN'T RETURNED. THE GIRL PUSHED THE DRESSER FROM THE DOOR
AND PULLED IT OPEN. HER ROOMMATE HAD RETURNED. SHE LAY AT THE DOOR,
HAND OUT-STRETCHED, WITH A HATCHET PLANTED IN HER BACK.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD TALE FROM A FRIEND WHO ATTENDS M.S.U.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): CAMPUS HORROR STORY ; DEATH UNIVERSITY ; GORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-23-1965
TRAP METAPHOR
THERE ONCE WAS AN OLD BLACK MAN NAMED UNCLE WILLIE. NOW UNCLE
WILLIE LIVED A FAIRLY HAPPY LIFE ON A FARM DOWN SOUTH. ONE DAY,
HIS MASTER DECIDED TO SELL THE FARM, BUT WILLIE DIDN'T LIKE THAT
IDEA TOO MUCH, HE JUST PLAIN DID NOT WANT TO MOVE. SO WHEN THE
BUYERS CAME TO SEE THE FARM, WILLIE HAD A PLAN. NOW WILLIE KNEW
THESE FOLKS WERE INTELLIGENT, BUT, HE WASN'T NO DUMMY EITHER.
NOW, WHITES BACK IN THEM DAYS, THEY DIDN'T TRUST THE BLACKS
SO WILLIE KNEW THAT THEM BUYER FOLKS WOULD JUST DO THE OPPOSITE
OF WHAT HE SAID. WILLIE'S MASTER TOLD HIM TO TAKE THE FOLKS AROUND
SO HE DID. AFTER HE GOT OUT OF EARSHOT, HE SAID, "NOW, IF YOU
WANT MY OPINION, YOU WON'T BUY THIS FARM 'CAUSE THERE'S GHOSTS
HERE." THEN HE TOOK THEM TO SOME SCARY SPOTS AROUND THE FARM.
"NOW IF YOU WANT MY OPINION," WILLIE SAID, " YOU WON'T BUY THIS
FARM 'CAUSE THE PLACE IS A SHAMBLES, AND THE ORCHARDS ARE DRY."
THEN HE TOOK THEM TO SOME MESSY SPOTS. THEN WILLIE SAID, "NOW IF
YOU WANT MY OPINION, YOU WON'T BUY THIS FARM, 'CAUSE YOU'LL HAVE
TO CHAIN ME HERE 'CAUSE I WANT TO LEAVE POWERFUL BAD." WELL
THE BUYER'S WIFE, NOW SHE BELIEVED HIM AND SAID, "WE BETTER NOT
BUY THIS FARM." BUT THE HUSBAND THOUGHT TO HIMSELF, SOMETHING'S
UP, SO HE DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND BUY THE FARM, AND WHAT'S MORE,
HE MADE A DEAL WITH THE MASTER TO KEEP WILLIE ON THE FARM.
SO, WILLIE, HE GOT TO STAY ON THE FARM, JUST LIKE HE WANTED,
AND HE GOT RID OF HIS NASTY OLD MASTER TO BOOT.
Submitter comment:
THE BASIC PRINCIPLE BEHIND TRAP METAPHOR AS BOB EXPLAINED TO ME,
IS THAT "BLACKS DON'T GET MAD, THEY GET EVEN." THIS IS EVIDENT
IN HOW UNCLE WILLIE GOT RID OF HIS OLD MASTER. AS I WAS LISTENING
TO THIS STORY, I WAS AMAZED AT HOW IT CONFORMS TO ALMOST ALL OF
ULRIK'S LAWS FOR FOLKTALES. SOME EXAMPLES ARE: THE LAW OF THREES
WHEN WILLIE GIVES THEM THREE REASONS FOR NOT BUYING THE FARM, ALSO,
THE LAW OF CONCENTRATION ON A LEADING CHARACTER IS CLEARLY
FULFILLED. THE MOST INTERESTING OF THE LAWS MANIFESTED IN THIS ST-
ORY IS THE LAW OF LOGIC. NORMALLY, WE WOULD NOT CONSIDER WILLIE'S
LOGIC USEFUL TO GAIN AN END, YET IN THIS STORY IT IS NOT ONLY
REAL, BUT IT IS FEASIBLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): OL MASSA AND JOHN STORY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 11-26-1980
JOSEPH'S BROTHER(S) THREW HIM IN A PIT. (THEY)
THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A FINE OPENING FOR A YOUNG MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BIBLE STORY REFERENCE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 04-00-1968
THE HARE THAT RAN AWAY
THIS ANCIENT STORY IS ONE OF A SERIES ABOUT THE WISE
BUDDHA IN HIS SUCCESSIVE ANIMAL INCARNATIONS. THE
STORY MAY BEGIN WITHOUT REFERENCE TO BUDDHA:
ONCE THERE WAS A WISE LION WHO DID MUCH TO HELP
HIS FELLOW CREATURES AND HE FOUND THERE WAS MUCH TO
BE DONE. FOR INSTANCE, THERE WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS
HARE...."
Submitter comment:
AN OLD EAST INDIAN FOLKTALE ABOUT A HARE THAT THOUGHT
THE SKY WAS FALLING DOWN, BECAUSE A PIECE OF FRUIT
HIT HIM ON THE HEAD. HE CAUSED COMMOTION AMONG
ALL THE ANIMALS AND THEY BEGAN TO BELIEVE THAT THE
SKY WAS FALLING, TOO. A LION CONVINCED HIM HE WAS
WRONG BY SHOWING THE HARE HOW IT REALLY HAPPENED.
THEN EVERYTHING IN THE WOODS RETURNED BACK TO
NORMAL.
Where learned: HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): HENNY-PENNY CHILDREN'S STORY.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 10-22-1972
KVAILYS (THE DUMMY)
ONE TIME, THERE LIVED A BOY WITH HIS MOTHER. ONE
DAY, HIS MOTHER CALLED TO HIM AND ASKED HIM TO GO
TO HIS GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE TO SEE IF SHE WAS ALL
RIGHT. HE WENT AND AS A PRESENT, HIS GRANDMOTHER
GAVE HIM A NEEDLE. ON THE WAY HOME, HE SAW A WAGON
LOAD OF HAY GOING BY, SO HE DECIDED TO HOP ON IT AND
GET A RIDE. THINKING TO HIMSELF THAT HE MUST BE VERY
CAREFUL AND NOT LOSE THE NEEDLE, HE STUCK IT IN THE
HAY BESIDE HIM. WHEN HE GOT HOME, HIS MOTHER ASKED
HIM IF HE GOT ANYTHING. HE TOLD HER THAT GRANDMOTHER
HAD GIVEN HIM A NEEDLE, BUT HAVING STUCK IT IN THE
HAY, HE CAN'T FIND IT. HIS MOTHER TOLD HIM THAT HE
SHOULD HAVE STUCK THE NEEDLE IN HIS HAT AND THEN HE
WOULDN'T HAVE LOST IT. HER SON SAID THAT HE WILL
REMEMBER THAT NEXT TIME.
THE FOLLOWING WEEK, HIS GRANDMOTHER INVITED HIM
OVER AGAIN. THIS TIME, BEFORE HE LEFT, SHE GAVE HIM
A PUPPY. REMEMBERING WHAT HIS MOTHER SAID ABOUT THE
NEEDLE AND STICKING IT IN YOUR HAT, HE STUCK THE PUPPY
UNDER IT. BY THE TIME HE GOT HOME, THE PUPPY WAS DEAD.
WHEN HE GOT HOME, HE TOLD HIS MOTHER WHAT HAPPENED
AND SHE TOLD HIM THAT HE SHOULD'VE TIED SOME ROPE
AROUND HIS NECK AND WALKED HIM HOME. HE SAID THAT
HE'LL REMEMBER THE NEXT TIME.
SOON AFTER THAT, HIS GRANDMOTHER INVITED HIM OVER
AGAIN AND THIS TIME SHE GAVE HIM A LARGE SLAB OF
BACON. REMEMBERING WHAT HIS MOTHER SAID ABOUT THE
PUPPY, HE TIED SOME ROPE AROUND THE BACON AND
DRAGGED IT HOME. BUT ON THE WAY, THE DOGS GOT
A WIFF OF THE BACON AND THEY RAN UP AND DEVOURED
IT. WHEN THE DUMMY GOT HOME, HE TOLD HIS MOTHER
WHAT HAPPENED, AND SHE THREW UP HER ARMS IN THE
AIR AND CRIED: "I GIVE UP ON YOU! HOW COULD A
SON OF MINE BE SO STUPID?" AND SHE SENT HIM UP TO
BED WITH NO DINNER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): SEE STORY OF EPANDAMANDUS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 03-28-1972
THE RUBBERBAND AND THE HAND
THERE WAS A LITTLE GIRL WHO GOT INTO THE HABIT OF WRAPPING RUBBER
BANDS AROUND HER WRIST BECAUSE SHE LIKED TO LOOK AT THE IMPRESSIONS
THEY LEFT ON HER SKIN WHEN SHE TOOK THEM OFF. ONE DAY SHE FORGOT SHE
HAD THE RUBBER BANDS ON AND KEPT WEARING THEM.
YEARS LATER THE GIRL'S
HAND TURNED BLACK SO THEY TOOK HER TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE THEY
OPERATED ON HER HAND. THE DOCTOR CUT OPEN HER WRIST TO SEE WHY THE
BLOOD STOPPED FLOWING INTO HER HAND AND HE FOUND THE RUBBER BAND. IT
SEEMS THE RUBBER BAND HAD BECOME IMPRESSED IN HER SKIN AND EVENTUALLY
THE SKIN GREW OVER IT. THE GIRL PROMISED NEVER TO WEAR A RUBBER BAND
ON HER WRIST AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HIS MOTHER WHEN HE WAS A CHILD TO BREAK
HIM OF WEARING RUBBER BANDS. HE SAYS IT WORKED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FEAR ; FUNCTIONAL SCARE STORY
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 03-03-1967
WHAT'S ON THE MENU?
ONE DAY A WOMAN SENT HER SON TO THE STORE TO BUY SOME LIVER.
ON THE WAY TO THE STORE THE BOY PASSED A CEMETERY. HE REMEMBERED
SOMEONE IN TOWN HAD RECENTLY DIED, SO BEING A LAZY BOY, HE
DECIDED NOT TO GO TO THE STORE BUT TO DIG UP THE GRAVE AND TAKE
THE MAN'S LIVER OUT. AFTER ALL WHO WOULD KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?
HE TOOK THE LIVER HOME AND HIS MOTHER DIDN'T NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCE
IN THE LIVER. SHE PREPARED IT FOR SUPPER AND THEN THEY BOTH ATE IT.
THAT NIGHT WHEN THE BOY WENT TO SLEEP HE HEARD A VOICE, "I'M COMING
UP ONE STAIR. I'M COMING UP TWO STAIRES (SIC). WHERE'S MY LIVER?"
THE BOY
FROZE IN HIS BED. HE COULDN'T MOVE A MUSCLE. "I'M COMING UP THREE
STAIRS, I'M IN THE HALLWAY." "I'M OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR, I WANT
MY LIVER." "I'M IN YOUR BEDROOM," SUDDENLY THE VOICE YELLED,
"I GOT YOU."
Submitter comment: SHE HEARD THIS STORY WHEN SHE WAS SMALL AT CAMP.
Data entry tech comment: GRABBING GESTURE ACCOMPANIES END OF STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): JUMP STORY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 10-20-1967
IF YOU ARE MISERABLE THROUGH ANY CAUSE, IT IS
USUALLY A SIGN THAT YOUR PRESENT TROUBLES WILL
SOON BE OVER WITH.
Submitter comment: SHE BELIEVED IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CYCLICAL HISTORY
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1985
THE CAMEL STORY
THERE WAS ONCE A MAN WHO WANTED TO BE WEALTHY ENOUGH TO TRAVEL
AROUND THE WORLD. HE DECIDED ON THIS AT THE AGE OF SIXTEEN AND
CAME UP WITH A SCHEDULE TO FOLLOW IN ORDER TO SAVE ENOUGH MONEY
TO GO ON THIS TRIP AT AN EARLY AGE. WHEN HE FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL
HE WENT STRAIGHT TO COLLEGE. HE GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE AT THE
AGE OF TWENTY-0NE AND FOUND A JOB. HE WORKED FOR A FEW YEARS
AND FOUND THAT HE WAS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. HE THOUGHT HE WOULD BE
ABLE TO SUPPORT A WIFE SO HE GOT MARRIED. HE FOUND THAT HE WORKED
ALL DAY AND HIS WIFE SPENT ALL THE MONEY HE WOULD EARN. HE
DICOVERED HE WAS OFF SCHEDULE AND COULD NO LONGER AFFORD TO BE
MARRIED. HE EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO HIS WIFE, AND SHE UNDERSTOOD
HIS SITUATION. SHE AGREED TO A DIVORCE. THE MAN BEGAN SAVING AGAIN.
BY NOW HE WAS FORTY-FIVE. HE WANTED TO GO ON THE TRIP BY THE AGE
OF SIXTY-FIVE. HE WORKED AND WORKED AND GOT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
HE WAS NOW FIFTY-FIVE AND THOUGHT HE COULD MARRY AGAIN. SO HE
CALLED HIS EX-WIFE AND SHE AGREED TO REMARRY HIM. THINGS WERE
HAPPY UNTIL HE REACHED THE AGE OF SIXTY. HE DISCOVERED HE WAS OFF
SCHEDULE AGAIN AND ASKED HIS WIFE FOR A DIVORCE AGAIN. SHE, BEING
A GOOD PERSON, AGREED. HE NOW HAD FIVE YEARS TO WORK AND BUILD UP
THE NECESSARY CASH RESERVES. FINALLY, AT THE AGE OF SIXTY-FIVE
HE HAD ENOUGH MONEY AND LEFT ON HIS TRIP. HE WENT EVERYWHERE. HE
SAW THE GRAND CANYON. HE WENT TO HAWAII AND DANCED WITH THE HULA
GIRLS. HE SAW ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND AND WENT TO THE VINEYARDS OF
FRANCE. HE WENT TO EGYPT TO SEE THE PYRAMIDS. HE WENT TO AFRICA
ON A HUNT. HE WAS NOW ON THE EDGE OF THE SAHARA DESERT. HE WAS
RUNNING OUT OF MONEY BUT WANTED TO TAKE A TRIP ACROSS THE DESERT
BEFORE HE WENT HOME. HE WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WHEN HE LOOKED THROUGH
HIS FIELD GLASSES AND SAW SOMETHING OUT IN THE DESERT.
"DO YOU SEE ANYTHING OUT THERE?" HE ASKED A CAMEL JOCKEY.
"NO", SAID THE CAMEL JOCKEY. HE TOOK ANOTHER LOOK THROUGH HIS
FIELD GLASS AND COULD SWEAR HE SAW SOMETHING. NOW HE WAS CAPTIVATED.
HE DECIDED TO STAY AND WAIT TO SEE WHAT WAS OUT THERE. HE WAITED
UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING AND ASKED THE SAME CAMEL JOCKEY IF HE SAW
ANYTHING OUT IN THE DESERT. THE CAMEL JOCKEY LOOKED THROUGH THE
FIELD GLASSES. HE SAID, "I THINK I SEE SOMETHING. IT'S ABOUT TWO
DAYS OUT." THIS MADE THE MAN EVEN MORE INTERESTED AND ANXIOUS TO
SEE WHAT IT WAS. HE DECIDED TO SIT AND WAIT UNTIL HE COULD FIND
OUT WHAT IT WAS OUT IN THE DESERT. BY THIS TIME IT WAS NEARING
HIS DEPARTURE TIME HOME TO THE USA. HE GOT UP THE NEXT MORNING
AND COULD SEE SOMETHING. IT LOOKED LIKE A CAMEL WITH SOME PEOPLE.
HE COULDN'T QUITE MAKE OUT WHAT THEY LOOKED LIKE. NOW HE WAS
REALLY INTERESTED. HE DECIDED TO FORGET ABOUT THE TRIP ACROSS
THE DESERT AND WAIT UNTIL THE PEOPLE CAME INTO THE OASIS. THE
NEXT MORNING HE GOT UP AND COULD MAKE OUT THE PEOPLE WITH THE
CAMEL. THERE WAS A MAN ON THE CAMEL AND A WOMAN WITH A BABY WALKING
BEHIND. THEY WERE ABOUT TWELVE HOURS OUT. THE MAN WAITED
PATIENTLY. AT ABOUT NOON HE LOOKED OUT INTO THE DESERT AGAIN. NOW
HE COULD MAKE OUT THE PICTURE CLEARLY. THE MAN STOPPED THE CAMEL
AND LET THE WOMAN CHANGE THE BABY. AFTER SHE WAS FINISHED HE GOT
BACK ON THE CAMEL AND CONTINUED THE JOURNEY. THE WOMAN TRAILED
BEHIND AND KEPT FALLING IN THE SAND WITH THE BABY. NOW THE MAN
WAS UPSET. WHY WOULDN'T THE MAN LET THE WOMAN RIDE THE CAMEL?
HE DECIDED HE WOULD WAIT AND ASK THE DRIVER. FINALLY AT ABOUT
SIX P.M. THE MAN RODE THE CAMEL IN AND HIS WIFE FOLLOWED BEHIND.
FIRST THE MAN GOT A DRINK OF WATER THEN HE LET HIS CAMEL DRINK.
AFTER THE CAMEL FINISHED DRINKING THEN IT WAS THE WIFE'S TURN.
NOW THE MAN WAS ENRAGED. HE ASKED THE CAMEL JOCKEY, " WHY WOULDN'T
YOU LET YOUR WIFE RIDE THE CAMEL?!!" THE CAMEL JOCKEY ANSWERED,"
BECAUSE IN OUR COUNTRY IT IS A CUSTOM FOR THE MAN TO RIDE THE
CAMEL." HAVING RECEIVED THE ANSWER, THE MAN FINISHED HIS JOURNEY
HOME.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO ME BY AN ENGLISH TEACHER BACK IN HIGH SCHOOL.
IT ORIGINATED IN THE DESERT DURING WWII. IT WAS PASSED ALONG THROUGH
THE TROOPS AND MADE IT HOME TO THE USA. IT WAS DESIGNED TO AD-LIB
TO FIT THE MOOD OF THE TELLER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEBOYGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): SHAGGY DOG STORY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
Content filter on this entry.
A man died and went to the Pearly Gates. St. Peter stopped
him and said that he could not go to heaven because of his
many sins. The man protested, and asked what he had done
that was so bad. St. Peter replied that the man had
committed many sexual sins, chief among them that he had had
oral sex. "But St. Peter," the man exclaimed, "everyone
on earth does it, so how can it be wrong?" St. Peter did
not want to punish the man unfairly, and so he asked God
what he should do. God instructed him to go down to Earth
and find out for himself how things were. After a long
time St. Peter returned, shaking his head. "God," he said,
"it's even worse than we feared! Almost everyone is
performing oral sex. There are only a few virtuous souls
who are obeying your commandments." Then God instructed
St. Peter to make up a special plaque to honor those who
did not partake of oral sex, hoping that it would encourage
others to be good. And do you know what it said? (At this
point in the joke, the teller addresses the listener with
an earnest tone. When the listener says "No, what did it
say?", the teller laughs out:) "So you didn't get one
either!"
Submitter comment:
This was a joke that was popular in the steel mill where
Tom works. The men especially liked telling this joke
to women whom they thought would be embarrassed.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; Rouge Steel
Keyword(s): Catch story, pornographic
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale Filter - Mature Content |
Date learned: 00001980CA
I'm bringing home a baby bumble bee.
Won't my mommy be so proud of me
For bringing home a baby bumble bee, OUCH HE BIT ME!!!!!
I'm mashing up my baby bumble bee.
Won't my mommy be so proud of me
For mashing up my baby bumble bee, Ugh, what a mess!!
I'm licking up my baby bumble bee.
Won't my mommy be so proud of me
For licking up my baby bumble bee, Ohh, I feel sick!!!
I'm puking up my baby bumble bee.
Won't my mommy be so proud of me
For puking up my baby bumble bee, Eew, what a mess!!
I'm mopping up my baby bumble bee.
Won't my mommy be so proud of me
For mopping up my baby bumble bee, there all clean.
I'm bringing home a baby dinosaur.
Won't my mommy hide behind the door.
I'm bringing home a baby dinosaur, OOPS, HE ATE ME!!!
Submitter comment:
This song is done with lots of hand motions and
pretend gestures.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HEMLOCK
James Callow Keyword(s): INCREMENTAL REPETITION ; REFRAIN ; Teller killed in his own story.
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00001970S
Martin Luther King Holiday
This holiday (the 3rd Monday of January) was passed in honor
of a man (born January 15, 1929) who stood for peace and equality
for all. He was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee (1968) at the
age of 39. It is the first legal holiday honoring a Black or
Afro-American. In 1986, the automotive industry started
celebrating the Monday following Easter (called "Easter Monday")
as its holiday honoring Dr. King. As of this year (1992), the
automotive industry has two "paid holidays" honoring Dr. King.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Black History
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Winter CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Secular hero |
Autograph Rhyme
Each life's an album, every page
From fair haired youth to gray old age
Is writ in prose or story.
God grant your life and album be
Filled up with records good to see
The "finis" found in Glory.
Submitter comment:
Found in autograph book from the 1880's
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Keyword(s): AGE ; Album ; AUTOGRAPH ; Elderly ; Glory ; Gray ; Old ; Record ; RHYME ; Signature ; Story ; VERSE ; Young ; YOUTH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
A DORM LEGEND
I HEARD A STORY ONCE WHICH CIRCULATED AROUND PARTS
OF THE DORM. IT DEALT WITH A GIRL AT ANOTHER
COLLEGE WHO WAS FOUND DEAD THE NEXT MORNING WITH HER
WRISTS SLASHED. THE GIRL IN THE NEXT ROOM HAD HEARD
HER SCRATCHING AT HER DOOR, CLAWING IT, BUT THOUGHT
IT WAS JUST SOMEONE JOKING, TRYING TO SCARE HER. SHE
NEVER WENT TO SEE WHO IT WAS AND THE NEXT MORNING
FOUND THE GIRL OUTSIDE HER DOOR, DEAD. THE GIRL WHO
TOLD THE STORY BELIEVED IT TO BE TRUE, BUT I HAVE
TALKED TO OTHER GIRLS AT OTHER COLLEGES WHO HAVE
HEARD THE STORY IN ONE FORM OR OTHER--SOME SAYING
IT'S TRUE, OTHERS SAYING IT'S NOT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): CAMPUS HORROR STORY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 08-09-1968
FATAL HAIRDO TALE
WHEN I WAS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IN NASHVILLE (1963-66)
THERE WERE A RASH OF FATAL HAIRDO STORIES CIRCULATING
AMONG THE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS. EVERYONE WHO TOLD THE
STORIES VOWED THAT THEIR VERSION WAS THE T R U E
VERSION. I CAN REMEMBER THAT THE GIRL
WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN A STUDENT AT STRATFORD HIGH
SCHOOL IN NASHVILLE, AND AT DONELSON HIGH SCHOOL
IN DONELSON, TENNESSEE WHICH IS A SUBURB OF NASHVILLE.
THE STORY BASICALLY WENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS:
THERE WAS THIS GIRL WHO HAD HER HAIR FIXED IN A
SPECIAL, ELABORATE WAY FOR A PROM OR SOME OTHER EVENT.
AFTER THE GIRL HAD HER HAIR DONE, FOR DAYS, AND EVEN
WEEKS AFTERWARDS, SHE ROLLED IT WITH TOILET PAPER EACH
NIGHT TO HOLD THE STYLE'S SHAPE AND NEVER BRUSHED IT OUT
BECAUSE SHE LIKED THE HAIRDO SO WELL. ONE DAY THIS GIRL
WAS SITTING IN CLASS AND BLOOD STARTED RUNNING DOWN
HER FACE. SHE FAINTED AND WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL.
AT THE HOSPITAL, HER HAIRDO WAS DISMANTLED AND A NEST
OF ROACHES WAS FOUND IN HER HAIR. THEY HAD BURROWED
AND EATEN THEIR WAY INTO HER HEAD AND INTO HER BRAIN
AND KILLED HER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): ALSO SEE SAME BASIC STORY WITH A SPIDER IN IT.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 08-13-1968