KRAKOWIAK (POLISH DANCE)

LIKE THE AMERICAN SQUARE DANCE.

Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; NOT GIVEN ; HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; LETTER ; OHIO ; NEW JERSEY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; AUTOGRAPH BOOK ; GROSSE POINTE ; HARPER WOODS ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; WARREN ; JAPAN ; RUSSIA ; GRAND RAPIDS ; SHIPLE HALL ; GARDEN CITY ; ROYAL OAK ; TOLEDO ; TRENTON ; FARMINGTON ; KALAMAZOO ; CANADA ; ONTARIO ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT ; MAIL ; INDIANA ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; TOLD AT HOME ; FERNDALE ; SOUTHFIELD ; TENNESSEE ; MACKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL ; HAMTRAMCK ; DEARBORN ; MINNESOTA ; ILLINOIS ; NEW YORK ; FLORIDA ; KOREA ; WISCONSIN ; NEW HAMPSHIRE ; STUDENT UNION ; READING ; AUSTRALIA ; Sylvania ; Sterling Heights ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; OAK PARK ; SOUTHGATE ; STURGEON LAKE ; REDFORD ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA ; ROSEVILLE ; LINCOLN PARK ; TRAVERSE CITY ; HUNTINGTON WOODS ; PONTIAC ; TROY ; PORT CHESTER ; SOUTH AMERICA ; BROOKVILLE ; MONTREAL ; SEOUL ; NORTH OLMSTED ; EASTOWN THEATER ; ERIE ; University of Notre Dame ; FRANKLINVILLE ; TORONTO ; TOLD AT ; TOLD BY ; TOLD IN ; SCRANTON ; MONROE ; GLENVIEW ; MOSCOW ; GULLEY ; FINLAND ; HARBOR BEACH ; HOUGHTON LAKE ; Hudson Lake ; 1962 ; INDIANAPOLIS ; JONESBORO ; KANSASVILLE ; LEXINGTON ; MASSILLON ; MAUCH CHUNK ; MELVINDALE ; MILFORD ; NEW ROCHELLE ; NIAGARA FALLS ; PANAMA CITY ; PATAGONIA ; ARGENTINA ; RESIDENCE HALL ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES ; TOLD AT HONORS HOUSE ; AMERICAN HISTORY CLASS

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WHERE THE DEVIL CAN'T DO THE WORK, HE SENDS A WOMAN

THERE WAS A HAPPY, RELIGIOUS FAMILY WITH TWO CHILDREN.
EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE LIVING IN POVERTY, THEY WERE A
LOVING FAMILY. THE DEVIL COULDN'T SEE WHY THEY HAD
SO MUCH HAPPINESS AND WANTED TO DESTROY IT.
HE SENT HIS HELPER TO THIS FAMILY AS A SERVANT TO
OBSERVE THEM TO SEE IF THEY COULD DO ANYTHING WRONG.
HE WAS TO LET THE DEVIL KNOW ABOUT IT, AS HE WAS
WAITING. HIS HELPER HAD A SOFT HEART. HE WAS HELPING
THE MANY BY PLOWING THE FIELDS, CUTTING THE WOOD, AND
WATCHING THE CHILDREN WHO LOVED HIM VERY MUCH. HE WAS
WORKING FOR THEM ABOUT A YEAR AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING
TO SAY AGAINST THEM, BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS LIVED A VERY
PEACEFUL LIFE.
NOT SO FAR FROM THEM THERE WAS A MEAN WOMAN. SHE WAS
UNABLE TO GET ALONG WITH HER NEIGHBORS. THE MAIN
DEVIL, LUCIFER, WENT THERE AND PROMISED HER NEW SHOES
IF SHE COULD MAKE SOME MISUNDERSTANDING IN THE PEACEFUL
FAMILY WHERE HIS HELPER WAS LIVING. SHE AGREED.
WHEN SHE CAME TO THE FAMILY, THE WIFE WAS BY HERSELF
AT HOME. SHE HAD A SMALL CONVERSATION WITH HER AND
CONVINCED HER THAT HER HUSBAND WOULD DIE SOON. THERE
WAS ONLY ONE WAY TO PREVENT IT. WHEN HER HUSBAND CAME
HOME IN THE EVENING, SHE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE A LONG
KNIFE AND WHEN HE WOULD FALL ASLEEP, SHE WOULD HAVE TO
CUT ONE GREY HAIR SO HE WOULD LIVE LONG.
AFTER TALKING TO THE WIFE THE WICKED WOMAN WENT TO
THE FIELD WHERE THE MAN WAS PLOWING THE FIELD. SHE
TOLD HIM THAT HIS WIFE WAS CHEATING ON HIM AND HAD A
LOVER AND THAT SHE WOULD VISIT HIM OFTEN. THE HUSBAND
COULDN'T BELIEVE IT AND CHASED HER AWAY. SHE TOLD HIM:
"WAIT, SHE WILL KILL YOU TODAY!"
HE DIDN'T WANT TO BELIEVE THIS, BUT DOUBT CAME TO HIS
HEART. AFTER SUPPER HE WENT TO BED AND PRETENDED TO BE
SLEEPING. WHEN HIS WIFE CAME TOWARDS HIM WITH A LONG
KNIFE HE WOKE UP AND JUMPED OUT OF BED AND STARTED A
BIG QUARREL.
WHEN LUCIFER CAME TO THE MEAN WOMAN TO DELIVER THE
BOOTS, HE HANDED THEM TO HER ON A LONG STICK BECAUSE
HE HIMSELF WAS AFRAID OF HER. FROM THAT TIME, THERE WAS
A SAYING IN THE POLISH LANGUAGE--"WHERE DEVIL CAN'T
MAKE IT, HE SENDS A WOMAN AND SHE WILL DO IT." "GDZIE
DIABEL NIE MOZE TAM BABE POSALE."

Submitter comment: POLISH, HANDWRITTEN TEXT IS ATTACHED TO TYPEWRITTEN
ENGLISH TEXT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; POLAND ; LEZAJSK

Date learned: 00-00-1955

View just this record

LEGEND OF JESUS

A LONG TIME AGO WHEN JESUS WAS WALKING IN THIS WORLD, HE DECIDED TO TAKE ST.
PETER TO DISTANT COUNTRIES. THEY WERE WALKING AND IT BECAME NIGHT. STOPPING AT ONE
PLACE, THEY ASKED IF THEY COULD SLEEP OVER NIGHT THERE. A DOUBLE BED WAS IN THE
ROOM NEAR THE WALL. JESUS SLEPT BY THE WALL AND PETER BY THE EDGE. THE VERY SAME
NIGHT, TWO BUMS CAME TO THE HOUSE. THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR THEM TO SLEEP AND WITH
DISGUST THEY DECIDED TO SLEEP ON THE FLOOR. THEY LOADED THEIR ANGER ON ST. PETER
BY BEATING HIM UP. HE COULD HARDLY BREATHE. THE SECOND NIGHT ST. PETER SAID TO
JESUS: "YOU SLEEP ON THE EDGE AND I WILL SLEEP BY THE WALL." THE SAME TWO BUMS
CAME IN AND WANTED TO BEAT JESUS UP THE SAME WAY. ONE OF THE BUMS SAID: "LEAVE
THIS ONE AT THE EDGE, HE GOT IT YESTERDAY," AND AGAIN THEY STARTED TO FIGHT WITH
ST. PETER. POOR ST. PETER WAS BEATEN TWICE.

Submitter comment: POLISH, HANDWRITTEN TEXT IS ATTACHED TO TYPEWRITTEN
ENGLISH TEXT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; POLAND ; LEZAJSK

Date learned: 00-00-1955

View just this record

THE MEAN KNIGHT WHO WAS TRANSFORMED INTO A BEAR

THERE WAS A WHITE CASTLE ON A HIGH HILL IN WHICH A KNIGHT AND HIS MOTHER LIVED.
HE WAS VERY DISTINGUISHED BUT HAD A MEAN HEART. HE WAS ALWAYS WALKING SAD AND THINKING.
ONE TIME HE DEMANDED FROM HIS MOTHER THAT SHE PLANT BLUE ROSES AROUND THE CASTLE.
SPRING CAME AND WHITE ROSES STARTED TO BLOOM AROUND THE CASTLE. THEY WERE VERY PRETTY
SO THE MOTHER CALLED HER SON TO SEE THEM. WHEN THE SON CAME, HE BECAME VERY UPSET ABOUT
THE COLOR AND TOOK OUT HIS SWORD AND STARTED TO CUT DOWN ALL THE ROSES. THE POOR MOTHER
TRIED TO SAVE THEM WITH HER HAND AND TEARS CAME TO HER EYES. ONE OF THEM DROPPED ON A FLOWER
AND THE FLOWER TURNED BLUE. WIPING HER TEARS THE MOTHER SAID TO HER SON, "HERE YOU HAVE A BLUE ROSE."
ALL OF A SUDDEN AN AWFUL STORM CAME AND THE TIRED KNIGHT FELL ON THE GROUND UNCONSCIOUS. WHEN HE REGAINED
CONSCIOUSNESS, THERE WAS NO CASTLE AND HE HAD TURNED INTO A BEAR. FROM THAT TIME HE MADE HIS HOME
IN THE FOREST SO HUMAN EYES COULDN'T SEE HIM. HE BUILT HIMSELF A LOG CABIN AROUND WHICH HE PLANTED
BLUE ROSES. ONE TIME A STRONG WIND CAME AND BLEW A PETAL TO A POOR FARMER BY THE FOREST WHO HAD TWO
DAUGHTERS, HELEN AND MARY. THEY WERE QUITE ATTRACTIVE. THE YOUNGER, GIRL, HELEN, PICKED UP THE FLOWER
PETAL AND WAS SURPRISED ABOUT ITS BEAUTY SO SHE HID IT FOR HERSELF. THE PETALS NEVER WILTED AND
ALWAYS SMELLED NICE. SHE WAS YEARNING ABOUT THE BLUE ROSES UNTIL SHE BECAME ALMOST ILL AND SHE WAS
PRESSURING HER FATHER TO FIND HER SOME. HER DAD WENT LOOKING FOR THEM AND AFTER A LONG JOURNEY HE
FOUND THE BEAR'S HOUSE SURROUNDED WITH THE BLUE ROSES. HE STARTED TO PICK THEM UP AND AT THAT MOMENT
THE BEAR CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE. HE BECAME FRIGHTENED BUT REMEMBERING THE SICKNESS OF HIS DAUGHTER,
HE STARTED TO BEG THE BEAR FOR THE BLUE ROSES. THE BEAR ANSWERED HIM IN A HUMAN VOICE. "I WILL GIVE
YOU THE ROSES BUT WHEN YOU TAKE THEM HOME AND WHEN YOUR DAUGHTER GETS WELL SHE HAS TO COME TO ME FOR
THIRTY THIRTY DAYS." SEEING THE BLUE ROSES, HELEN REGAINED HER HEALTH AND WITH A LITTLE HORROR,
DECIDED TO GO TO THE BEAR'S HOUSE. SHE STAYED THERE FOR THIRTY DAYS AND HELPED THE BEAR TAKE CARE
OF THE ROSES. AFTER THE THIRTY DAYS SHE CAME BACK HOME AND SHE NOTICED THAT HER BLUE ROSES STARTED
TO WILT. SHE WENT BACK TO THE BEAR'S HOUSE AND SHE FOUND THAT THE BEAR WAS VERY ILL. SHE WAS SORRY
FOR HIM AND HER EYES STARTED TO FILL WITH TEARS. ONE OF THEM DROPPED ON A BLUE ROSE AND THE ROSE
BECAME WHITE. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BEAR'S HOUSE DISAPPEARED AND IN ITS PLACE WAS THE WHITE CASTLE
AROUND WHICH WERE WHITE ROSES. ON THE PORCH THERE WAS A HANDSOME KNIGHT AND HIS MOTHER. WITH A SMILE
ON HIS LIPS, THE KNIGHT CAME TO HELEN AND TOLD HER, "YOUR GOOD HEART AND TRUTHFUL TEARS GAVE ME BACK
MY STATURE." HE ASKED HER FOR HER HAND IN MARRIAGE AND THERE WAS A BIG WEDDING AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

Submitter comment: POLISH, HANDWRITTEN TEXT IS ATTACHED TO TYPEWRITTEN ENGLISH TEXT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; POLAND ; LEZAJSK

Date learned: 00-00-1955

View just this record

THE SORCERERS STONE OR THE SNAKE QUEEN

MANY YEARS AGO IN THE POLISH CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS, THERE
LIVED A POOR MAN NAMED BACA. HE LIVED IN A HOUSE MADE
OUT OF CLAY AND HAD A SMALL FLOCK OF SHEEP AND TWO BEST
FRIENDS WHO WERE A CAT AND A DOG.
HE WAS RENTING A SMALL VALLEY FROM A LANDLORD. EVERY
YEAR THE POOR MAN HAD TO PAY FOR IT AND IT WAS VERY
HARD TO DO.
ONE TIME, BACA WAS WALKING THROUGH A FOREST AND HE
HEARD A QUIET VOICE. "MAN, SAVE ME." HE LOOKED BACKWARD
AND HE SAW A SNAKE IN A BURNING BUSH. BACA WAS AFRAID
OF IT, SO HE ONLY HANDLED IT BY USING HIS CANE. THE
SNAKE WAS SAFE AND STARTED TO TALK TO HIM IN A HUMAN
VOICE. "THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SAVING MY LIFE." "WOULD
YOU WAIT FOR ME A LITTLE?"
AFTER A TIME THE SNAKE CAME WITH A VALUABLE GEM. IT WAS
SO SHINY THAT BACA HAD TO COVER HIS EYES. THE STONE HAD
THE POWER OF FORTUNE TELLING. FROM THAT TIME, BACA'S
HOUSE WAS WITH EVERYTHING.
WHEN SPRING CAME THE SERVANTS OF THE LAND OWNER CAME TO
COLLECT PAYMENT AND SAW ALL THE WEALTH IN THE HOUSE AND
WERE VERY AMAZED. A STORM WAS COMING AND THEY DECIDED
TO STAY THE NIGHT. THEY SAW THE VALUABLE FORTUNE TELLING
GEM THAT LIGHTED THE WHOLE HOUSE. THEY WERE VERY
INTERESTED IN IT AND STARTED TO ASK BACA WHERE HE GOT IT
FROM. HE TOLD THEM THE TRUTH ABOUT THE STONE AND ITS
POWER. THE SERVANTS WENT BACK AND TOLD THE LANDLORD
ABOUT THE STONE.
THE LANDLORD DECIDED TO VISIT THE HOUSE AND SEE FOR
HIMSELF. WHEN HE ENTERED BACA'S HOUSE HE TOLD HIM THAT
THE STONE BELONGED TO HIM. BACA BEGGED HIM TO LEAVE
THE STONE, BUT THE LANDLORD TOOK THE STONE WITH HIM.
THROUGH ALL THE COMMOTION THE CAT AND DOG WERE
LISTENING. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LANDLORD LEFT THEY
WENT AFTER HIM TO HIS CASTLE. THE LANDLORD HID THE
MAGIC STONE IN HIS WALLET AND WENT TO BED WITH IT.
WHEN THE LANDLORD FELL FAST ASLEEP THE CAT AND DOG
ENTERED HIS BEDROOM VERY QUIETLY AND TOOK THE WALLET
WITH THE STONE.
AFTER A LONG JOURNEY, THEY CAME TO BACA'S HOUSE.
THERE TOGETHER WITH BACA THEY DECIDED TO LEAVE THE
VALLEY OF THE LANDLORD. THEY WENT FAR AWAY, PAST THE
HILLS AND FORESTS AND MADE THEIR HOME FAR AWAY FROM
OTHER PEOPLE. THEY HAD ALL THE WEALTH THEY NEEDED AND
LIVED VERY HAPPILY EVERY AFTER.

Submitter comment: POLISH, HANDWRITTEN TEXT IS ATTACHED TO TYPEWRITTEN
ENGLISH TEXT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; POLAND ; LEZAJSK

Date learned: 00-00-1955

View just this record

KRAKOW BELIEF

A LONG TIME AGO, BEFORE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF POLAND AS A
COUNTRY, THERE EXISTED A DRAGON THAT WAS FEARED BY PEOPLE
ALL OVER. HE LIVED IN A CAVE NOT FAR FROM THE TOWN OF
KRAKOW. THIS GIANT DRAGON WAS ALWAYS HUNGRY AND ATE PEOPLE
AS WELL AS ANIMALS FROM THE SURROUNDING VILLAGES. THE
PEOPLE COULD NOT GATHER ENOUGH POWER OR COURAGE TO KILL HIM.
THERE LIVED A MAN NAMED KRAKUS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA. HE
CAME UP WITH A PLAN THAT HE THOUGHT WOULD RID THE VILLAGERS
OF THIS DEMON FOR GOOD. HE TOOK THE SKIN FROM A FLOCK
OF SHEEP AND FILLED IT WITH SULPHUR. AFTER SWALLOWING THE
SHEEP AND SKIN HE BECAME VERY THIRSTY BECAUSE THE SULPHUR
BURNED HIS STOMACH. HE WENT TO A NEARBY RIVER NAMED
VISTULA AND DRANK SUCH AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF WATER HE
BURST. THE PEOPLE WERE SO HAPPY ABOUT THIS THAT THEY CHOSE
KRAKUS AS THEIR LEADER.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT ALL THE CHILDREN KNEW THIS TALE
AND IT IS QUITE UNUSUAL TO APPROACH A PERSON FROM POLAND
AND DISCOVER THAT HE DOES NOT KNOW THIS STORY. GENERALLY,
THE ADULTS DO NOT BELIEVE IN THIS STORY, BUT MOST OF THE
SMALL CHILDREN DO. THERE ACTUALLY WAS SUCH A MAN. THE
CAVE EXISTS TO THIS DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK

Date learned: 10-09-1971

View just this record

WHERE THE DEVIL CAN'T DO THE WORK, HE SENDS A WOMAN

THERE WAS A HAPPY, RELIGIOUS FAMILY WITH TWO CHILDREN.
EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE LIVING IN POVERTY, THEY WERE A
LOVING FAMILY. THE DEVIL COULDN'T SEE WHY THEY HAD
SO MUCH HAPPINESS AND WANTED TO DESTROY IT.
HE SENT HIS HELPER TO THIS FAMILY AS A SERVANT TO
OBSERVE THEM TO SEE IF THEY COULD DO ANYTHING WRONG.
HE WAS TO LET THE DEVIL KNOW ABOUT IT, AS HE WAS
WAITING. HIS HELPER HAD A SOFT HEART. HE WAS HELPING
THE MANY BY PLOWING THE FIELDS, CUTTING THE WOOD, AND
WATCHING THE CHILDREN WHO LOVED HIM VERY MUCH. HE WAS
WORKING FOR THEM ABOUT A YEAR AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING
TO SAY AGAINST THEM, BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS LIVED A VERY
PEACEFUL LIFE.
NOT SO FAR FROM THEM THERE WAS A MEAN WOMAN. SHE WAS
UNABLE TO GET ALONG WITH HER NEIGHBORS. THE MAIN
DEVIL, LUCIFER, WENT THERE AND PROMISED HER NEW SHOES
IF SHE COULD MAKE SOME MISUNDERSTANDING IN THE PEACEFUL
FAMILY WHERE HIS HELPER WAS LIVING. SHE AGREED.
WHEN SHE CAME TO THE FAMILY, THE WIFE WAS BY HERSELF
AT HOME. SHE HAD A SMALL CONVERSATION WITH HER AND
CONVINCED HER THAT HER HUSBAND WOULD DIE SOON. THERE
WAS ONLY ONE WAY TO PREVENT IT. WHEN HER HUSBAND CAME
HOME IN THE EVENING, SHE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE A LONG
KNIFE AND WHEN HE WOULD FALL ASLEEP, SHE WOULD HAVE TO
CUT ONE GREY HAIR SO HE WOULD LIVE LONG.
AFTER TALKING TO THE WIFE THE WICKED WOMAN WENT TO
THE FIELD WHERE THE MAN WAS PLOWING THE FIELD. SHE
TOLD HIM THAT HIS WIFE WAS CHEATING ON HIM AND HAD A
LOVER AND THAT SHE WOULD VISIT HIM OFTEN. THE HUSBAND
COULDN'T BELIEVE IT AND CHASED HER AWAY. SHE TOLD HIM:
"WAIT, SHE WILL KILL YOU TODAY!"
HE DIDN'T WANT TO BELIEVE THIS, BUT DOUBT CAME TO HIS
HEART. AFTER SUPPER HE WENT TO BED AND PRETENDED TO BE
SLEEPING. WHEN HIS WIFE CAME TOWARDS HIM WITH A LONG
KNIFE HE WOKE UP AND JUMPED OUT OF BED AND STARTED A
BIG QUARREL.
WHEN LUCIFER CAME TO THE MEAN WOMAN TO DELIVER THE
BOOTS, HE HANDED THEM TO HER ON A LONG STICK BECAUSE
HE HIMSELF WAS AFRAID OF HER. FROM THAT TIME, THERE WAS
A SAYING IN THE POLISH LANGUAGE--"WHERE DEVIL CAN'T
MAKE IT, HE SENDS A WOMAN AND SHE WILL DO IT." "GDZIE
DIABEL NIE MOZE TAM BABE POSALE."

Submitter comment: POLISH, HANDWRITTEN TEXT IS ATTACHED TO TYPEWRITTEN
ENGLISH TEXT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; POLAND ; LEZAJSK

Date learned: 00-00-1955

View just this record

LEGEND OF JESUS

A LONG TIME AGO WHEN JESUS WAS WALKING IN THIS WORLD, HE DECIDED TO TAKE ST.
PETER TO DISTANT COUNTRIES. THEY WERE WALKING AND IT BECAME NIGHT. STOPPING AT ONE
PLACE, THEY ASKED IF THEY COULD SLEEP OVER NIGHT THERE. A DOUBLE BED WAS IN THE
ROOM NEAR THE WALL. JESUS SLEPT BY THE WALL AND PETER BY THE EDGE. THE VERY SAME
NIGHT, TWO BUMS CAME TO THE HOUSE. THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR THEM TO SLEEP AND WITH
DISGUST THEY DECIDED TO SLEEP ON THE FLOOR. THEY LOADED THEIR ANGER ON ST. PETER
BY BEATING HIM UP. HE COULD HARDLY BREATHE. THE SECOND NIGHT ST. PETER SAID TO
JESUS: "YOU SLEEP ON THE EDGE AND I WILL SLEEP BY THE WALL." THE SAME TWO BUMS
CAME IN AND WANTED TO BEAT JESUS UP THE SAME WAY. ONE OF THE BUMS SAID: "LEAVE
THIS ONE AT THE EDGE, HE GOT IT YESTERDAY," AND AGAIN THEY STARTED TO FIGHT WITH
ST. PETER. POOR ST. PETER WAS BEATEN TWICE.

Submitter comment: POLISH, HANDWRITTEN TEXT IS ATTACHED TO TYPEWRITTEN
ENGLISH TEXT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; POLAND ; LEZAJSK

Date learned: 00-00-1955

View just this record

THE MEAN KNIGHT WHO WAS TRANSFORMED INTO A BEAR

THERE WAS A WHITE CASTLE ON A HIGH HILL IN WHICH A KNIGHT AND HIS MOTHER LIVED.
HE WAS VERY DISTINGUISHED BUT HAD A MEAN HEART. HE WAS ALWAYS WALKING SAD AND THINKING.
ONE TIME HE DEMANDED FROM HIS MOTHER THAT SHE PLANT BLUE ROSES AROUND THE CASTLE.
SPRING CAME AND WHITE ROSES STARTED TO BLOOM AROUND THE CASTLE. THEY WERE VERY PRETTY
SO THE MOTHER CALLED HER SON TO SEE THEM. WHEN THE SON CAME, HE BECAME VERY UPSET ABOUT
THE COLOR AND TOOK OUT HIS SWORD AND STARTED TO CUT DOWN ALL THE ROSES. THE POOR MOTHER
TRIED TO SAVE THEM WITH HER HAND AND TEARS CAME TO HER EYES. ONE OF THEM DROPPED ON A FLOWER
AND THE FLOWER TURNED BLUE. WIPING HER TEARS THE MOTHER SAID TO HER SON, "HERE YOU HAVE A BLUE ROSE."
ALL OF A SUDDEN AN AWFUL STORM CAME AND THE TIRED KNIGHT FELL ON THE GROUND UNCONSCIOUS. WHEN HE REGAINED
CONSCIOUSNESS, THERE WAS NO CASTLE AND HE HAD TURNED INTO A BEAR. FROM THAT TIME HE MADE HIS HOME
IN THE FOREST SO HUMAN EYES COULDN'T SEE HIM. HE BUILT HIMSELF A LOG CABIN AROUND WHICH HE PLANTED
BLUE ROSES. ONE TIME A STRONG WIND CAME AND BLEW A PETAL TO A POOR FARMER BY THE FOREST WHO HAD TWO
DAUGHTERS, HELEN AND MARY. THEY WERE QUITE ATTRACTIVE. THE YOUNGER, GIRL, HELEN, PICKED UP THE FLOWER
PETAL AND WAS SURPRISED ABOUT ITS BEAUTY SO SHE HID IT FOR HERSELF. THE PETALS NEVER WILTED AND
ALWAYS SMELLED NICE. SHE WAS YEARNING ABOUT THE BLUE ROSES UNTIL SHE BECAME ALMOST ILL AND SHE WAS
PRESSURING HER FATHER TO FIND HER SOME. HER DAD WENT LOOKING FOR THEM AND AFTER A LONG JOURNEY HE
FOUND THE BEAR'S HOUSE SURROUNDED WITH THE BLUE ROSES. HE STARTED TO PICK THEM UP AND AT THAT MOMENT
THE BEAR CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE. HE BECAME FRIGHTENED BUT REMEMBERING THE SICKNESS OF HIS DAUGHTER,
HE STARTED TO BEG THE BEAR FOR THE BLUE ROSES. THE BEAR ANSWERED HIM IN A HUMAN VOICE. "I WILL GIVE
YOU THE ROSES BUT WHEN YOU TAKE THEM HOME AND WHEN YOUR DAUGHTER GETS WELL SHE HAS TO COME TO ME FOR
THIRTY THIRTY DAYS." SEEING THE BLUE ROSES, HELEN REGAINED HER HEALTH AND WITH A LITTLE HORROR,
DECIDED TO GO TO THE BEAR'S HOUSE. SHE STAYED THERE FOR THIRTY DAYS AND HELPED THE BEAR TAKE CARE
OF THE ROSES. AFTER THE THIRTY DAYS SHE CAME BACK HOME AND SHE NOTICED THAT HER BLUE ROSES STARTED
TO WILT. SHE WENT BACK TO THE BEAR'S HOUSE AND SHE FOUND THAT THE BEAR WAS VERY ILL. SHE WAS SORRY
FOR HIM AND HER EYES STARTED TO FILL WITH TEARS. ONE OF THEM DROPPED ON A BLUE ROSE AND THE ROSE
BECAME WHITE. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BEAR'S HOUSE DISAPPEARED AND IN ITS PLACE WAS THE WHITE CASTLE
AROUND WHICH WERE WHITE ROSES. ON THE PORCH THERE WAS A HANDSOME KNIGHT AND HIS MOTHER. WITH A SMILE
ON HIS LIPS, THE KNIGHT CAME TO HELEN AND TOLD HER, "YOUR GOOD HEART AND TRUTHFUL TEARS GAVE ME BACK
MY STATURE." HE ASKED HER FOR HER HAND IN MARRIAGE AND THERE WAS A BIG WEDDING AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

Submitter comment: POLISH, HANDWRITTEN TEXT IS ATTACHED TO TYPEWRITTEN ENGLISH TEXT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; POLAND ; LEZAJSK

Date learned: 00-00-1955

View just this record

THE SORCERERS STONE OR THE SNAKE QUEEN

MANY YEARS AGO IN THE POLISH CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS, THERE
LIVED A POOR MAN NAMED BACA. HE LIVED IN A HOUSE MADE
OUT OF CLAY AND HAD A SMALL FLOCK OF SHEEP AND TWO BEST
FRIENDS WHO WERE A CAT AND A DOG.
HE WAS RENTING A SMALL VALLEY FROM A LANDLORD. EVERY
YEAR THE POOR MAN HAD TO PAY FOR IT AND IT WAS VERY
HARD TO DO.
ONE TIME, BACA WAS WALKING THROUGH A FOREST AND HE
HEARD A QUIET VOICE. "MAN, SAVE ME." HE LOOKED BACKWARD
AND HE SAW A SNAKE IN A BURNING BUSH. BACA WAS AFRAID
OF IT, SO HE ONLY HANDLED IT BY USING HIS CANE. THE
SNAKE WAS SAFE AND STARTED TO TALK TO HIM IN A HUMAN
VOICE. "THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SAVING MY LIFE." "WOULD
YOU WAIT FOR ME A LITTLE?"
AFTER A TIME THE SNAKE CAME WITH A VALUABLE GEM. IT WAS
SO SHINY THAT BACA HAD TO COVER HIS EYES. THE STONE HAD
THE POWER OF FORTUNE TELLING. FROM THAT TIME, BACA'S
HOUSE WAS WITH EVERYTHING.
WHEN SPRING CAME THE SERVANTS OF THE LAND OWNER CAME TO
COLLECT PAYMENT AND SAW ALL THE WEALTH IN THE HOUSE AND
WERE VERY AMAZED. A STORM WAS COMING AND THEY DECIDED
TO STAY THE NIGHT. THEY SAW THE VALUABLE FORTUNE TELLING
GEM THAT LIGHTED THE WHOLE HOUSE. THEY WERE VERY
INTERESTED IN IT AND STARTED TO ASK BACA WHERE HE GOT IT
FROM. HE TOLD THEM THE TRUTH ABOUT THE STONE AND ITS
POWER. THE SERVANTS WENT BACK AND TOLD THE LANDLORD
ABOUT THE STONE.
THE LANDLORD DECIDED TO VISIT THE HOUSE AND SEE FOR
HIMSELF. WHEN HE ENTERED BACA'S HOUSE HE TOLD HIM THAT
THE STONE BELONGED TO HIM. BACA BEGGED HIM TO LEAVE
THE STONE, BUT THE LANDLORD TOOK THE STONE WITH HIM.
THROUGH ALL THE COMMOTION THE CAT AND DOG WERE
LISTENING. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LANDLORD LEFT THEY
WENT AFTER HIM TO HIS CASTLE. THE LANDLORD HID THE
MAGIC STONE IN HIS WALLET AND WENT TO BED WITH IT.
WHEN THE LANDLORD FELL FAST ASLEEP THE CAT AND DOG
ENTERED HIS BEDROOM VERY QUIETLY AND TOOK THE WALLET
WITH THE STONE.
AFTER A LONG JOURNEY, THEY CAME TO BACA'S HOUSE.
THERE TOGETHER WITH BACA THEY DECIDED TO LEAVE THE
VALLEY OF THE LANDLORD. THEY WENT FAR AWAY, PAST THE
HILLS AND FORESTS AND MADE THEIR HOME FAR AWAY FROM
OTHER PEOPLE. THEY HAD ALL THE WEALTH THEY NEEDED AND
LIVED VERY HAPPILY EVERY AFTER.

Submitter comment: POLISH, HANDWRITTEN TEXT IS ATTACHED TO TYPEWRITTEN
ENGLISH TEXT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; POLAND ; LEZAJSK

Date learned: 00-00-1955

View just this record

KRAKOW BELIEF

A LONG TIME AGO, BEFORE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF POLAND AS A
COUNTRY, THERE EXISTED A DRAGON THAT WAS FEARED BY PEOPLE
ALL OVER. HE LIVED IN A CAVE NOT FAR FROM THE TOWN OF
KRAKOW. THIS GIANT DRAGON WAS ALWAYS HUNGRY AND ATE PEOPLE
AS WELL AS ANIMALS FROM THE SURROUNDING VILLAGES. THE
PEOPLE COULD NOT GATHER ENOUGH POWER OR COURAGE TO KILL HIM.
THERE LIVED A MAN NAMED KRAKUS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA. HE
CAME UP WITH A PLAN THAT HE THOUGHT WOULD RID THE VILLAGERS
OF THIS DEMON FOR GOOD. HE TOOK THE SKIN FROM A FLOCK
OF SHEEP AND FILLED IT WITH SULPHUR. AFTER SWALLOWING THE
SHEEP AND SKIN HE BECAME VERY THIRSTY BECAUSE THE SULPHUR
BURNED HIS STOMACH. HE WENT TO A NEARBY RIVER NAMED
VISTULA AND DRANK SUCH AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF WATER HE
BURST. THE PEOPLE WERE SO HAPPY ABOUT THIS THAT THEY CHOSE
KRAKUS AS THEIR LEADER.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT ALL THE CHILDREN KNEW THIS TALE
AND IT IS QUITE UNUSUAL TO APPROACH A PERSON FROM POLAND
AND DISCOVER THAT HE DOES NOT KNOW THIS STORY. GENERALLY,
THE ADULTS DO NOT BELIEVE IN THIS STORY, BUT MOST OF THE
SMALL CHILDREN DO. THERE ACTUALLY WAS SUCH A MAN. THE
CAVE EXISTS TO THIS DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK

Date learned: 10-09-1971

View just this record

IF YOUR PALM OF EITHER HAND ITCHES, IT MEANS THAT
SOMEONE IS GOING TO GIVE YOU MONEY.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS TOLD THIS BY A NEIGHBOR WHEN SHE WAS
GROWING UP IN HAMTRAMCK (MICHIGAN).

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS ; HAMTRAMCK

Date learned: 09-28-1971

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IF A PREGNANT WOMAN IS PRETTY WHILE SHE IS CARRYING THE
CHILD, SHE IS GOING TO HAVE A BOY. IF SHE IS NOT
PRETTY WHEN SHE IS CARRYING THE CHILD, SHE WILL HAVE A
GIRL BECAUSE THE GIRL BABY IS TAKING BEAUTY AWAY FROM
TLE MOTHER.

Submitter comment: A PREDICTION THAT MOST PEOPLE OF POLISH DESCENT BELIEVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; HAMTRAMCK

Date learned: 02-24-1970

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WHEN A PREGNANT WOMAN'S STOMACH HANGS LOW, IT IS A
GIRL. IF HER STOMACH STICKS OUT, IT IS A BOY.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A POLISH PREDICTION AND IN HAMTRAMCK WHERE
CHRIS LIVES, IT IS STILL PASSED AROUND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; HAMTRAMCK

Date learned: 02-24-1970

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FUDGE, FUDGE, CALL THE JUDGE./ MAMA'S GONNA HAVE A BABY./ IT AIN'T NO
BOY./ IT AIN'T NO GIRL./ IT'S JUST A PLAIN OLD BABY.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; 11362 LUMPKIN ; TOLD AT

Keyword(s): CHARACTER ; PLAIN-JUMP

Date learned: 10-11-1971

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ON JUNE 23, VIGIL OF SAINT JOAN (ST. JOHN?), POLISH BOYS
AND GIRLS GO TO THE FOREST AND SEARCH FOR FERN PLANTS.
WHEN THEY FIND FERN PLANTS, THEY LOOK FOR THE FERN
FLOWER. IT IS BELIEVED THAT WHOEVER FINDS THE FERN
BLOOMING, WILL HAVE ALL THE HAPPINESS IN THE WORLD.

Submitter comment: IT MAY BE INTERESTING TO NOTE HERE THAT THE FERN PLANT
HAS NO FLOWER AND NEVER BLOOMS. BUT THERE ACTUALY
ARE SOME PEOPLE THAT FIRMLY BELIEVE THE FERN BLOOMS.

Data entry tech comment: FERN REPRODUCES BY MEANS OF SPOOR.
CN[ LEGOWSKI, HALINA

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK

Date learned: 10-09-1971

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IT IS THE CUSTOM AT POLISH WEDDINGS THAT THE PEOPLE
AT THE RECEPTION BANG THE DINNER DISHES WITH THE
SILVERWARE, AND WHEN THIS IS DONE, THE NEWLYWEDS
ARE TO KISS. THIS IS USUALLY DONE THROUGHOUT
THE MEAL.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS AT A WEDDING IN HIS FAMILY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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THERE IS A POLISH CUSTOM THAT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM TO PICK UP ALL OF THE GUESTS
FOR THE WEDDING AND TAKE THEM TO THE RECEPTION.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT MENTIONED THAT THIS CUSTOM WAS NOT
FOLLOWED SINCE 1930.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK

Date learned: 03-22-1970 ; 00-00-1930

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IN BYZANTINE CATHOLIC CHURCHES THERE IS A WEDDING
CEREMONY WHEREBY THE PRIEST PLACES A CROWN ON THE
HEADS OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM. THE CROWN SYMBOLIZES
THAT THE MAN IS KING OF HIS FAMILY AND THE BRIDE
HIS QUEEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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POLISH CUSTOM

THERE IS A POLISH CUSTOM THAT WHEN A PERSON DIES,
THE FAMILY MUST KEEP THE DEAD PERSON AT HOME FOR
THREE DAYS. ALSO, THE HOUSE HAS TO BE KEPT OPEN 24
HOURS A DAY FOR THE THREE DAYS, SO ALL OF THE DEAD
PERSON'S FRIENDS CAN PAY THEIR RESPECTS AT ANY TIME
OF THE DAY. FINALLY, ONE MEMBER OF THE DEAD PERSON'S
FAMILY HAS TO BE AWAKE BY THE BODY AT ALL TIMES TO TALK
TO ANY VISITORS.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT MENTIONED, HOWEVER, THAT THIS CUSTOM
WAS ABANDONED 20 YEARS AGO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK

Date learned: 03-22-1970

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