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THE RED HAND OF THE O'NEILLS

A LONG TIME AGO, THE KING OF IRELAND DIED. SO THE CITIZENS
HAD TO FIND A NEW KING. APPARENTLY, THE SUCCESSOR WAS
IN DISPUTE BETWEEN TWO MEN, ONE OF THEM A NOBLE NAMED
O'NEILL. THE PEOPLE DEVISED A RACE, WHERE THE FIRST
MAN TO CROSS A BODY OF WATER WOULD BECOME KING. THE RACE
BEGAN, BUT HUGE WAVES PREVENTED THEM FROM LANDING. THE
FUTURE KING WOULD HAVE TO TOUCH THE SHORE TO BECOME KING.
THE O'NEILL BEING THE CLEVER MAN, REALIZED HE NEEDED HIS
RIGHT HAND TO RULE. SO HE TOOK A SWORD AND CUT OFF HIS
LEFT HAND AND THREW IT ON THE SHORE. THUS HE WAS THE
FIRST MAN TO TOUCH SHORE AND BECAME KING. THE RED HAND
OF THE O'NEILLS CAN STILL BE SEEN ON THE FAMILY COAT OF
ARMS.

Submitter comment: THE O'NEILLS RULED IN ULSTER AND LIMERICK. THE COAT
OF ARMS OF ULSTER HAS THE RED HAND OF THE ONEILLS ON IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero

Date learned: 12-08-1972

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POPIEL AND PIAST

A POLISH LEGEND: A MYTHICAL POLISH RULER WAS THE EVIL
PRINCE POPIEL, A PREDECESSOR OF PIAST. HE WAS UNIVERSALLY
DESPISED FOR HIS RUTHLESSNESS, AND WHEN HIS PEOPLE
REVOLTED, HE SOUGHT REFUSE IN A TOWER AT KRUSZEVICA ON
ON LAKE GOPLO, ONLY TO BE DEVOURED ALIVE BY MICE AND
RATS. THE HUMBLE WHEELWRIGHT, PIAST, KNOWN FOR HIS
GOODNESS, HOSPITALITY AND HONESTY, WAS THEN ELECTED TO
SUCCEED THE EVIL POPIEL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero

Date learned: 10-11-1972

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SINGING AT THE TABLE

IF YOU SING AT THE DINNER TABLE YOU WILL GET A CRAZY WIFE.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 03-27-1968

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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

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CHAUCER

DR. WOLFF ONCE TOLD HIS CHAUCER CLASS THE STORY OF HIS
YOUNGER DAYS WHEN HE WAS A STUDENT STUDYING CHAUCER
UNDER A JESUIT. IT SEEMED THAT THIS PRIEST LOVED
CHAUCER, BUT HATED THE SMUTTY PARTS. EACH CLASS MEMBER
WAS TO MEMORIZE A GIVEN NUMBER OF LINES IN EACH TALE
OF THE CANTERBURY TALES. WHEN DR. WOLFF WAS REPEATING
ABSOLOM'S ROLE IN A CERTAIN TALE, HE WAS SUDDENLY STOPPED
AND GIVEN AN A BY HIS INSTRUCTOR THE JESUIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PRUDISHNESS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being

Date learned: 03-00-1970

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BACK TO THE HOUSE THAT HE AND HIS WIFE LIVED IN
AND EVER SINCE HE HAS NEVER TURNED ON ANY LIGHTS AND HE
LIVES THERE. THERE IS ELECTRICAL WIRES HOOKED UP TO
THE HOUSE AND EVERYTHING.

Data entry tech comment: SOMETHING MISSING HERE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 10-20-1971

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SEA MONSTER AT BELLE ISLE {MICHIGAN}

NEAR THE GOLF COURSE ON BELLE ISLE {DETROIT, MICHIGAN}
BY A LAGOON, A SEA MONSTER COMES OUT ONCE A YEAR AND
SNATCHES THE COUPLE PARKING NEAREST TO HIM, AND TAKES
THEM BACK IN THE WATER WITH HIM. THEY ARE NEVER
SEEN AGAIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 10-17-1967

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PROVERBIAL METAPHOR

TURN YOUR FACE TO THE SUN, AND THE SHADOWS WILL FALL
BEHIND YOU.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED AT UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor

Date learned: 10-00-1968

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OBSERVATION OF DESTINY

WHEN A PERSON WATCHES HIS HANDS CONSTANTLY, HE WILL DIE SOON.

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM GRANDMOTHER.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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A WEALTHY LIFE

THIS BELIEF STATES THAT IF THE LINES OR CREASES ON A PERSON'S
PALM CROSS IN TWO PLACES AND FORMS THE SHAPE OF AN "M", THAT
PERSON WILL BE WEALTHY.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Subject headings: Observation

Date learned: 01-15-1968

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LEGEND OF CHRIST

WHILE OUR LORD WAS BEING CRUCIFIED, TWO BIRDS WHO
WERE FLYING ACROSS CALVARY NOTICED HIM. AS THEY SAW
HIS TORMENT, THEY SWOOPED OVER TO HIS ARMS AND TRIED
TO REMOVE THE NAILS WITH THEIR BEAKS. AFTER THEY
TRIED FOR AWHILE, THEY LEFT, BEING UNABLE TO REMOVE
THEM. THEY AND THEIR OFFSPRING WERE REWARDED
FOR THEIR COMPASSION BECAUSE THE BLOOD FROM
CHRIST'S WRISTS STAINED THEIR BREASTS AND MADE THE
ROBIN EASILY IDENTIFIABLE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): REASONS FOR ANIMAL CHARACTERISTICS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird

Date learned: 03-16-1968

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THE HELPFUL DOLPHIN

DURING THE EARLY 1800S THERE WAS A STRAIT NEAR ICELAND
THAT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR A SHIP TO TRAVEL THROUGH
WITHOUT CRACKING UP. ONE SHIP MAKING THE JOURNEY
SPOTTED A DOLPHIN SWIMMING AROUND THE SHIP. IT
FOLLOWED THE DOLPHIN AND MADE IT THROUGH SAFELY.
OTHER SHIPS ALSO STARTED TO FOLLOW THE DOLPHINS
AND THEY MADE IT THROUGH. THIS CONTINUED FOR ABOUT
TWENTY YEARS UNTIL THE DOLPHIN DISAPPEARED AND
WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fish

Date learned: 11-20-1968

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THE PITTSBURG ORANGUTAN

ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A STORY GOING AROUND THE
HIGH SCHOOLS IN PITTSBURG ABOUT A FIGHTING ORANGUTAN.
THE ORANGUTAN WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BROUGHT TO A NEARBY
SHOPPING CENTER WHERE A CONTEST WAS TO BE HELD.
ANYONE WHO COULD REMAIN IN THE CAGE WITH THE ORANGUTAN
FOR TEN SECONDS WOULD WIN ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS. THE
RUMOR SPREAD FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS AND THE DAY CAME FOR
THE CONTEST. SEVERAL HUNDRED YOUTHS SHOWED UP AT THE
SHOPPING CENTER, BUT THE ORANGUTAN NEVER MADE IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; PITTSBURGH

Keyword(s): ANIMALS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal

Date learned: 11-18-1968

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ALBERT EINSTEIN

ONE TIME EINSTEIN WAS MAKING A JOURNEY BY TRAIN.
WHEN THE CONDUCTOR CAME TO COLLECT THE TICKETS, HE
SEARCHED THROUGH HIS POCKETS, BUT COULDN'T FIND HIS
TICKET. THE CONDUCTOR RECOGNIZED HIM AND TOLD HIM
TO FORGET ABOUT IT. EINSTEIN REPLIED THAT HE HAD
TO FIND THE TICKET, BECAUSE HE COULDN'T REMEMBER
WHERE HE WAS GOING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): MEMORY

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero

Date learned: 01-00-1968

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GREEK GHOSTS

BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF GRAVES THAT ARE IN GREECE,
ESPECIALY THOSE OF SOLDIERS, THE GREEKS BELIEVE
THAT THEY CAN HEAR THE CRYING OF THE SOLDIERS IN THE
WIND AT NIGHT.

Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS GRANDFATHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- P535

Date learned: 10-10-1967

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SCHIFF RESERVATION

THE SCHIFF RESERVATION, NOW A BOY SCOUT CAMP, HAS
A STRANGE LEGEND BEHIND IT. IN 1920, THERE WAS A
DAM BEING BUILT, AND A MAN WHO WAS WORKING ON THE
DAM SUPPOSEDLY FELL INTO THE NEWLY POURED CONCRETE
AND WAS BURIED ALIVE. IT IS RUMORED THAT YOU CAN
HEAR HIM SCREAMING FOR HELP ON WINDY NIGHTS.

Submitter comment: LEE LEARNED THIS ON A BOY SCOUT TRIP IN THE
RESERVATION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 09-25-1967 ; 00001920S

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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

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PONDLILLY LOOKOUT POINT

PONDLILLY LOOKOUT POINT IS LOCATED IN WATERLOO
RECREATION AREA NEAR JACKSON, MICHIGAN. THERE USED TO
BE A FORT LOCATED ON THIS POINT; IT WAS SITUATED ON
A VERY STEEP, ALMOST UNSCALABLE RIDGE. IN THE MIDDLE
OF A HUGE BLIZZARD ONE DAY, INDIANS SCALED THE RIDGE
AND MASSACRED ALL THOSE IN THE FORT.
TO THIS DAY, ONE CAN SUPPOSEDLY HEAR THE SOUND OF
INDIANS RUNNING ALONG THE RIDGE DURING ANY SNOW STORM.

Submitter comment: MIKE SAYS THAT THERE IS ANOTHER VERSION WHICH SAYS
YOU CAN HEAR A HORSEMAN RIDING ALONG THE RIDGE DURING
A BLIZZARD. HE IS SAID TO BE RACING TO WARN THOSE IN
THE FORT OF THE ATTACK.
MIKE SAYS THAT THERE IS JUST SUCH A SOUND DURING A
SNOWSTORM, BUT BEING MORE LOGICALLY-MINDED,
ATTRIBUTES IT TO THE SNOW FALLING INTO THE THICK
GROWTH OF MAPLE TREES WHICH CHOKE THE SLOPE BELOW
THE RIDGE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; JACKSON

Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 11-10-1968

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THERE IS A LEGEND CONCERNING DETROIT'S BELLE ISLE.
A "WHITE LADY" APPEARS ON THE ISLAND AT EVERY FULL
MOON AND WANDERS THROUGH THE WOODS. SHE IS DRESSED
ALL IN WHITE, HENCE HER NAME. SHE IS THE MOTHER
OF A GIRL WHO WAS MURDERED THERE, WHILE PARKING
WITH A FELLOW.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 12-05-1967

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HAUNTED HOUSE

ONCE, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, A MAN LIVED BY HIMSELF IN
A HOUSE IN THE SOUTHSIDE OF CHICAGO. HIS LEGS
WERE BADLY MAULED AND HE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE
THEM AMPUTATED. ONE WAS TAKEN OFF BUT THE MAN
KILLED HIMSELF BEFORE THE OTHER LEG COULD BE TAKEN
OFF. HE WAS BURIED IN THE BASEMENT AND TO THIS
DAY A ONE-LEGGED GHOST HAUNTS THAT HOUSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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