Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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NARRATIVE
IN 1917 IN POLAND HER MOTHER LIVED ON A FARM. ONE NIGHT THEY
HEARD THE CATTLE IN THE BARN SCREECHING. IT WAS AN UNUSUAL CRY,
SO THEY RAN OUT TO SEE WHAT THE MATTER WAS. ALL THE CATTLE WERE
DEAD AND THE STRANGE THING ABOUT IT WAS THAT THE HIDE ON ALL THE
CATTLE WAS MATTED UNDER THEIR NECKS. AFTER THAT THEY HUNG HUGE
SICKLES ABOVE THE BARN DOORS TO WARD OFF THE EVIL SPIRITS AND
THEY NEVER HAD TROUBLE AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Husbandry Farming Ranching BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE FOX AND THE GRAPES
ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS A FOX WHO SAW SOME GRAPES ON A VINE
ABOVE HIS HEAD. HE JUMPED, TRYING TO GET THEM, BUT FELL SHORT.
AFTER REPEATED UNSUCCESSFUL EFFORTS, HE SULKED OFF SAYING, "THEY
WERE PROBABLY SOUR ANYWAY." THIS IS THE ORIGIN OF THE EXPRESSION
"SOUR GRAPES," APPLIED TO SOMEONE WHO DEGRADES SOMETHING HE WANTS
BECAUSE HE CAN'T GET IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
SLEEPY HOLLOW STORY
AN OLD MAN LIVED ALONE BY SLEEPY HOLLOW AND HE OWNED THIS BIG DOG,
ALMOST A WOLF, REALLY. ONE NIGHT A CAR FULL OF DRINKERS STOPPED
IN THE HOLLOW AND SETTLED DOWN TO SOME HEAVY DRINKING. AFTER A
WHILE, ONE GUY GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO WALK AROUND. IN THE MORNING
THE OTHER GUYS FOUND HIM LYING A FEW FEET FROM THE CAR, HIS FACE
AND NECK TERRIBLY TORN UP. HE MUMBLED OUT A STORY ABOUT A GIANT
DOG ATTACKING HIM.
Submitter comment:
THE PERSON WHO TOLD THIS STORY HAD SCARS ALL OVER HIS FACE AND
TOLD IT ABOUT HIMSELF.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
TALE
WHILE HUNTING IN THE UPPER PENINSULA ONE SEASON, I CLIMBED A TREE
TO GET A BETTER VIEW OF THE TERRAIN. THE BRANCH I SAT ON BROKE
AND I FELL INTO WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE A HOLLOW TREE WITH BEAR CUBS
IN IT. KNOWING THAT THE MOTHER BEAR WOULD SOON BE BACK, I TRIED
MY BEST TO CLIMB OUT OF THE TREE, TO NO AVAIL. SO I GRABBED MY
KNIFE AND WAITED FOR HER. JUST THEN, I HEARD HER SCRATCHING HER
WAY UP THE TREE. I SAW HER AT THE TOP OF THE TREE CLIMBING INTO
THE HOLE REAR FIRST, SO I GRABBED HER TAIL AND JABBED MY KNIFE
INTO HER BEHIND. SHE SHOT UP THE TREE, PULLING ME WITH HER. AS
SOON AS WE WERE OUT, I PICKED UP MY GUN AND SHOT HER.
Where learned: NORTHERN MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): SEE ROBERTS' SOUTH FROM HELL-FOR-SATAN, TALE 71.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 08-15-1969
THE LEGEND OF THE MOGUL MOUSE
LONG AGO IN SLAVONIA A LITTLE MOUSE WAS CHASED THROUGH A VILLAGE
BY A CAT, WHO WAS CHASED BY A PACK OF DOGS, WHO WAS CHASED FROM
THE VILLAGE BY ANGRY TOWNSPEOPLE. WHEN THE VILLAGERS CHASED THE
DOG PACK OVER A DISTANT PEAK, THEY DISCOVERED A SKIER BEING HURT
AT THE BOTTOM OF A VALLEY. THEY RESCUED THE SKIER AND CARED FOR
HIS BROKEN BONES. TO THIS DAY VILLAGERS IN THIS AREA LEAVE A BIT
OF CHEESE ON THEIR DOORSTEP TO CARE FOR THE MOGUL MOUSE IN CASE
SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN TO THEM.
Submitter comment:
THIS SMALL LEGEND WAS PRINTED WITH A GOOD LUCK SKIER PIN WHICH I
BOUGHT IN JANUARY AT GRAYLING, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAYLING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 01-25-1970
THE SKUNKS
MAMA SKUNK WAS WORRIED BECAUSE SHE COULD NEVER KEEP TRACK OF HER TWO
KIDS. THEY WERE NAMED "IN" AND "OUT" AND WHEN "IN" WAS IN, "OUT" WAS
OUT. AND IF "IN" WAS OUT, "OUT" WAS IN. ONE DAY SHE CALLED "OUT"
AND TOLD HIM TO BRING "IN" IN. HE DID. "GOOD!" SAID MAMA SKUNK.
"HOW DID YOU FIND HIM IN SO SHORT A TIME?" "IT WAS EASY SAID
OUT, "INSTINCT!"
Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE ; TOLD IN
Keyword(s): IN STINCT=INSTINCT ; IN STINKS
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
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
UNUSUAL DOG
I ONCE HAD A DOG THAT CHASED AND KILLED PIGS AND ATE
THEM. DOGS DON'T KILL PIGS. THIS WAS THE FIRST DOG
I EVER SAW OR HEARD OF THAT WOULD DO THIS. ONE NIGHT
I HEARD THE PIGS SQUEELING AND I WENT OUT TO SEE WHAT
WAS GOING ON. I SAW THIS DOG OF MINE DOWN THE BIGGEST
SOW I HAD AND EATING IT. I RAN IN THE HOUSE AND GOT
MY SHOTGUN. I AIMED AT THE DOG AND SHOT IT AS IT WAS
PULLING AT THE THROAT OF THE PIG AND IT DIDN'T EVEN
LET GO WHEN IT DIED.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-08-1968
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
THERE WAS A DOCTOR, WHO AS A LITTLE BOY, LIVED IN A TOWN
WHERE A WITCH RESIDED. EVERYONE WAS ALWAYS WARNED NOT
TO GO BY THE WITCH'S SHACK. ONE DAY, HE HAD TO GET
SOME MEDICINE FOR HIS SICK MOTHER, AND HE DECIDED
TO TAKE THE ROAD THAT WENT PAST THE WITCH'S HOUSE.
AS HE WENT BY, A BIG, BLACK CAT JUMPED ON HIS HORSE.
HE MANAGED TO BEAT IT OFF. THE NEXT MORNING, THE
TOWNSPEOPLE FOUND THE WITCH IN A SHED DYING, WITH
SLASHES ALL OVER HER BODY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 03-22-1972
MY FAMILY IS FROM THE SOUTH, ONCE I REMEMBERED MY UNCLE
TELLING ME, AS HE WAS WALKING DOWN THE ROAD, ON HIS
WAY HOME, HE TURNED AROUND AND LOOK{ED} IN BACK OF
HIM AND HE SAW A DOG. EVERYTIME HE TURNED AROUND, THE
DOG GOT BIGGER AND BIGGER. MY UNCLE SAID HE TOOK
OFF RUNNING.
Submitter comment: THIS DOG WAS A HANK AND HANKS ARE GHOSTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MY GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER, SHAHEEN, WAS A GIANT OF A
MAN. HE WAS THE WONDER OF THE AREA. HE WORKED AT A
MILL, WHICH USED GREAT MILL STONES WHICH WERE CARRIED
BY CAMELS BECAUSE MULES WEREN'T STRONG ENOUGH. AT
CHURCH, THE PRIEST ASKED VILLAGERS TO HELP SHAHEEN MOVE
HIS MILLSTONES INTO PLACE ON THE WALL. WHEN THEY GOT
TO THE MILL, THEY FOUND SHAHEEN HAD ALREADY PUT THE
GREAT STONES IN PLACE AND WAS ALREADY WORKING.
ONCE SHAHEEN FELL INTO THE STREAM BY THE MILL.
NORMALLY, HE COULD SWIM OUT, BUT THE STREAM WAS SWOLLEN
BY THE SPRING THAW. ALSO, HIS LARGE PANTS AND SHOES
DRAGGED HIM TO THE BOTTOM. THE WATER CARRIED HIM 4 MILES
DOWNSTREAM WHERE HE CAUGHT HOLD OF A ROCK IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE STREAM. HE CALLED SO LOUD THAT THE MEN AT THE MILL
FOUR MILES AWAY HEARD HIM AND GOT HELP. HE WAS SO BIG
ONLY HIS STRONG SON COULD CARRY HIM BACK TO THE MILL.
ONCE SHAHEEN WOKE UP AND STARTED TO PUT HIS SHOES ON
WHEN SOMETHING STARTED WIGGLING INSIDE. HE TURNED HIS
SHOES UPSIDE DOWN AND THREE CATS CAME OUT. HIE SHOES
WERE SO BIG THAT HIS GRANDAUGHTER USED TO PLAY "HOUSE"
IN THEM.
SHAHEEN FINALLY DIED AT THE AGE OF 105, A VERY OLD AGE
IN LEBANON IN THOSE DAYS. HE WAS SOUND OF MIND, BUT
FAILED BY HIS GREAT BODY.
HE ASKED TO BE BURIED WITH HIS FATHER, WHO HAD DIED A
LONG TIME BEFORE. YEARS LATER THEY UNEARTHED HIS
BONES TO BE PUT IN HIS OWN GRAVE. HIS BONES PROVED TO
BE 7-1/2 FEET TALL AS MANY PEOPLE WHO SAW THEM ATTESTED.
FROM HIS HIP BONE TO HIS FEET, HE WAS ALMOST AS TALL AS
A NORMAL MAN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; LEBANON
Keyword(s): FAMILY ; Giant ; Legend ; Lore
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
Entry filtered.
A HORSE WAS ONCE OWNED BY A MAN WHO USED TO COLLECT JUNK.
THIS HORSE USED TO PULL THE JUNK WAGON FOR THE MAN.
THE STRANGE THING ABOUT THIS HORSE, IS THAT IT USED
TO CHANGE COLOR WITH THE SEASONS. THE HORSE WAS A
BASIC BLACK IN COLOR, BUT IN WINTER HE WOULD CHANGE
COLOR TO AN IRON GREY, IN SUMMER TIME HE WOULD GAIN
SORT OF GREEN TINT, AND IN SPRING HIS COLOR CHANGED
TO BROWN.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT ACTUALLY SAW THIS PENOMENAL ANIMAL
CHANGE COLORS AND THEREFORE HAS NO REASON TO DISBELIEVE
IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-07-1971
THE LOPEY HORSE
A FARMER HAD A HORSE THAT HE COULDN'T BREAK FOR
RIDING. THE HORSE WOULD REAR UP AND FALL ON ITS
BACK OR ELSE TURN A FOREWARD SOMMERSAULT WHEN
ANYONE TRIED TO RIDE IT. THE FARMER SAID HE WOULD
GIVE FIVE DOLLARS TO ANYONE THAT COULD BREAK HIM.
ONE SUNDAY, I WENT TO WATCH A BUNCH OF BOYS TRY TO
RIDE IT, BUT NONE OF THEM COULD DO IT. I TOLD THE
FARMER THAT IF HE WOULD LET ME TAKE IT HOME, I WOULD
HAVE IT BROKE IN A WEEKS TIME. HE SAID YES AND I
TOOK IT HOME AND PUT HIM TO PLOWING FOR A WEEK. FROM
THEN ON, WHEN ANYONE TRIED TO RIDE IT, ALL HE HAD TO
SAY WAS 'GET UP.' THE HORSE WOULD THINK IT WAS
STILL IN THE PLOW HARNESS AND COULD BE RIDDEN.
Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS TOLD AS TRUTH. IT IS NOT A TALL TALE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONAL NARRATIVE BREAKING IN A HORSE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-08-1968
STRETCHING THE LOG
BACK IN POLAND, MANY YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A FARMER WHO WAS
BUILDING A BARN. HAVING CUT ONE OF THE LOGS TOO SHORT, THE
FARMER CALLED TO HIS NEIGHBOR TO BRING HIS OXEN. THE TWO
FARMERS HITCHED BOTH OF THEIR ANIMALS TO THE SHORT LOG AND
PULLED IT UNTIL IT WAS THE RIGHT SIZE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS 81 YEARS OLD.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wood Gourd ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Animal housingBarnPen |
Date learned: 01-20-1968
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
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
NOT GIVEN
AN EAST SIDE SIAMESE CAT WHOSE DEATH PROVED MORE CAPTIVATING THAN
ALL ITS LIVES HAS FOUND IMMORTALITY, ALTHOUGH AN ANONYMOUS ONE.
THE SIAMESE WAS THE LOVING PET OF A KNDLY LADY WHO--AS THE EVENTS
THAT FOLLOW SHOW--ALSO DESERVES ANONYMITY AND IMMORTALITY.
THE CAT REACHED ITS NATURAL END RECENTLY, AND THE OWNER WAS PER-
PLEXED ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE REMAINS. SHE LIVES IN AN APART-
MENT.
"BRING IT OVER HERE AND WE'LL BURY IT IN MY YARD," A FRIEND WHO
LIVES IN BIRMINGHAM TOLD HER OVER THE PHONE.
A SMALL BOX WAS READIED AND THE SIAMESE PLACED REVERENTLY IN IT.
THEN, BOX UNDER ARM, THE SWEET OLD LADY BOARDED A BUS AND HEADED
ACROSS THE CITY.
BUT WHILE BETWEEN BUSES, SHE DECIDED TO DO SOME SHOPPING DOWNTOWN.
WHILE RUMMAGING THROUGH GOODS, SHE LAID THE WRAPPED SIAMESE ON
THE COUNTER IN A DEPARTMENT STORE.
WHEN SHE LOOKED UP MOMENTS LATER, THE BOX WAS GONE. THE LADY WAS
DUMBFOUNDED AT THE THOUGHT OF REPORTING THE DISAPPEARANCE OF A
DEAD CAT TO STORE OFFICIALS.
AS SHE COLLECTED HER THOUGHTS, SHE NOTICED A LARGE CROWD GATHERING
ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FLOOR. SHE WENT TO INVESTIGATE AND
FOUND EXCITED SHOPPERS GATHERED AROUND A PROSTRATE FORM NEXT TO A
TELEPHONE BOOTH.
PEEKING THROUGH THE CROWD, SHE SAW A WOMAN SPRAWLED OUT UNCON-
SCIOUS. NEXT TO HER WAS THE BOX WITH THE DEAD SIAMESE.
THE KINDLY LADY TURNED AROUND AND QUIETLY LEFT THE STORE, A TEAR
IN HER EYE. BUT SHE COULDN'T KEEP A SMILE OFF HER FACE.
Submitter comment: NEWSPAPER'S SOURCE UNKNOWN.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |
Date learned: 11-08-1963
LEGEND OF BEAR ISLAND
THERE IS AN INDIAN LEGEND THAT TELLS HOW THE FAMOUS MICHIGAN BEAR
ISLAND WAS MADE. IT WAS SAID THAT A MOTHER BEAR AND HER TWO CUBS
WERE ATTEMPTING TO SWIM ACROSS LAKE MICHIGAN, BUT THEY EACH WERE
OVERCOME BY EXHAUSTION BEFORE THEY COULD EVEN SWIM 5 TO 6 MILES.
THEIR BODIES NOW FORM THE BIG BEAR ISLAND AND THE TWO SMALL BEAR
ISLANDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BATTLE CREEK
Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; SLEEPING BEAR SAND DUNE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00-00-1954
LEGEND ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF POLAND
THERE WAS AN OLD MAN AND HE LIVED IN ASIA AND HE HAD THREE SONS
WHOSE NAMES WERE LECH, CZECH AND RUS. AND THE OLD MAN DIED AND
HE DIDN'T LEAVE HIS SONS ANYTHING, SO THEY HAD TO GO OUT INTO THE
WORLD TO SEEK THEIR FORTUNES. SO THEY WENT TO EUROPE AND RUS
WENT NORTH AND FOUNDED RUSSIA AND CZECH WENT SOUTH AND FOUNDED
CZECHOSLOVAKIA. LECH KEPT GOING AND NIGHT CAME AND HE FOUND
HIMSELF IN A CIRCLE AROUND A CLEARING AND HE SAID, "I WILL ESTAB-
LISH A COUNTRY AND THIS WILL BE THE SYMBOL ON MY BANNER." AND
THIS IS HOW THE COUNTRY OF POLAND ORIGINATED.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED IT FROM PAN NOWAK WHO TAUGHT HER POLISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 03-14-1967