Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WHEN A CASKET IS CARRIED DOWN THE STEPS OF A CHURCH
ON ITS WAY TO THE GRAVEYARD, IT BECOMES CONSIDERABLY
LIGHTER. IT IS SAID THAT THIS IS BECAUSE THE
PERSON'S SOUL IS LEAVING THE BODY ON ITS WAY TO
HEAVEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS SUPERSTITION HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN THROUGH OUR
FAMILY FOR GENERATIONS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of quantity or weight |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
RETURN OF THE DEAD
AROUND 1940 A WOMAN NAMED BESSIE SABOL DIED IN SOUTHWEST
DETROIT. MRS. HURLEY ASSISTED IN THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR BURIAL
AND SUBSEQUENTLY WAS ASKED TO STAY WITH THE DAUGHTER OF THE
WOMAN, WHO FEARED LIVING ALONE IN THE HOME. SEVERAL OTHERS
HAD STAYED WITH THE WOMAN, BUT HAD LEFT WITH STORIES OF A
GHOST IN THE HOME. MRS. HURLEY STAYED IN THE HOME FOR
2 DAYS. THE THIRD NIGHT LOUD BANGING AND CLANGING NOISES
WERE HEARD IN THE PANTRY, MRS. HURLEY WENT TO
INVESTIGATE AND SAW THE GHOST OF THE DEAD WOMAN CLEANING UP THE
MESS THAT THE DAUGHTER HAD LEFT IN THE PANTRY. THE POTS AND PANS
WERE SCATTERED ALL ABOUT. THIS WOMAN HAD BEEN KNOWN FOR
HER NEATNESS. MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD THE DAUGHTER THAT AS LONG
AS SHE KEPT THE PANTRY CLEAN, THE NOISES WOULD STOP. THEY
DID, AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN HEARD SINCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): GHOST RETURNS TO DO HOUSEWORK
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-11-1974
AMBULANCE HOUSE
THERE IS A HOUSE WHOSE BACKYARD FACES THE STREET. THERE IS A BUILT-
IN SWIMMING POOL IN THE YARD, BUT IT IS FILLED WITH SAND. UNDERNEATH
ALL THE SAND ARE TWO CARS--AN AMBULANCE AND A HEARSE. THE STORY
GOES THAT A LONG TIME AGO, A LITTLE GIRL DROWNED IN THE POOL. AS THE
GIRL WAS BEING RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL, THE LITTLE BOY, HER BROTHER,
FELL IN AND DROWNED. THE PARENTS WENT MAD AND BOUGHT THE AMBULANCE
AND THE HEARSE AND PUT THEM IN THE POOL AND FILLED IT WITH SAND.
THEY NOW LEAVE THE BACK PORCH LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME, PLUS THEY DO
NOT HAVE ANY CURTAINS ON THEIR BACK WINDOWS, SO THEY WILL BE ABLE TO
WATCH SO THE LITTLE GIRL AND BOY, WHO HAVE LONG SINCE DIED,
WON'T FALL IN THE POOL.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
GHOST IN THE ROAD
THERE IS A ROAD, NOT FAR FROM WHERE I USED TO LIVE, THAT MY FRIENDS
AND I ALWAYS USED TO GO TO. IT WAS WHERE THE GHOST IN THE ROAD WAS.
THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT AND A LITTLE HILLY AND WAS DIMLY LIT WITH A
COUPLE OF STREET LIGHTS. WHEN COMING DOWN THE ROAD, AT A CERTAIN
SPOT, YOU COULD SEE THE GHOST, CLAD IN A LONG WHITE ROBE. SOME
PEOPLE SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A LADY IN A WHITE GOWN. OTHERS THOUGHT
IT LOOKED LIKE JESUS CHRIST. WHEN DRIVING CLOSER TO THE GHOST, IT
SEEMED TO BE WALKING TOWARDS YOU. THEN IT WOULD DISAPPEAR.
Submitter comment:
WHAT IT REALLY WAS, WAS AN OIL SLICK ON THE ROAD. THE LIGHT FROM THE
STREET LIGHT SHONE ON IT IN SUCH A WAY AS TO CREATE THE IMAGE OF A
PERSON. SINCE THEN, THOUGH, THE ROAD HAS BEEN RESURFACED AND THE
GHOST NO LONGER CAN BE SEEN.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
James Callow Keyword(s): DISBELIEF
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
I AM GOING DOWN TOWN TO SMOKE MY PIPE
THIS GAME IS PLAYED WITH A BIG GROUP OF PEOPLE. ONE PERSON IS
PICKED AS THE MOTHER AND ONE PERSON IS PICKED AS THE WITCH. THE
REST ARE CHILDREN. THE WITCH GOES TO HER HOUSE WHICH IS IN A DESIG-
NATED AREA. THE CHILDREN THEN STAND IN A LINE AND THE MOTHER BEGINS
HER CHANT, POINTING AT EACH CHILD AS SHE SAYS EACH WORD:
I'M GOING DOWNTOWN TO SMOKE MY PIPE,
AND I WONT BE HOME TILL SATURDAY NIGHT.
I'LL WHIP YOU BLACK, I'LL WHIP YOU BLUE,
ESPECIALLY YOU, MY DAUGHTER SUE.
THE PERSON THE MOTHER POINTS TO WHEN SHE SAYS SUE WILL BE SUE
FOR THIS PART OF THE GAME. THE MOTHER THEN LEAVES AND THE WITCH
COMES TO THE DOOR. SHE KNOCKS ON THE DOOR AND SUE GOES TO ANSWER IT.
THE WITCH THEN ASKS FOR SOME PIE OR CAKE OR SOMETHING, AND SUE BRINGS
SOME TO HER, PRETENDING TO BE HOLDING IT IN HER HANDS. THE WITCH
THEN HITS SUES HANDS AND SAYS:
I DON'T WANT THE PIE, I WANT YOU, AND GRABS HER
AND TAKES HER TO THE WITCH'S HOUSE. THEN THE MOTHER COMES HOME AND
STARTS COUNTING HER CHILDREN, 1,2,3,4,5,6?6? WHERES 6? WHERES SUE?
SO THE MOTHER GOES TO THE WITCH'S HOUSE AND ASKS THE WITCH IF SHE
HAS SEEN SUE. THE WITCH ANSWERS THAT I THINK I SAW HER ON (AND SHE
MAKES UP THE NAME OF A STREET SUCH AS BANANA PEEL STREET), SO THEN
THE MOTHER GOES DOWN BANANA PEEL STREET, SLIPPING ON BANANA PEELS,
AND DOESN'T FIND SUE, SO SHE GOES BACK HOME. THEN SHE STARTS WITH
I'M GOING DOWNTOWN,
ALL OVER AGAIN UNTIL ALL THE CHILDREN ARE TAKEN
BY THE WITCH. SHE KEEPS SENDING MOM DOWN DIFFERENT STREETS SUCH AS
NAIL STREET, FIRE STREET, AND HOT FUDGE STREET,
UNTIL THERE ARE NO MORE
CHILDREN TO GO HOME TO. SO SHE GOES BACK TO THE WITCH'S HOUSE AND
ASKS IF SHE COULD COME IN. THE WITCH SAYS YES BUT FIRST, YOUR FEET
ARE DIRTY, SO YOU MUST CUT THEM OFF. SO THE MOTHER CUTS OFF HER FEET.
THEN THE WITCH SAYS, YOU WILL GET BLOOD ALL OVER MY CARPET, WIPE OFF
THE BLOOD. SO THE MOTHER WIPES OFF THE BLOOD AND IS ALLOWED TO GO
IN THE HOUSE. ALL THE CHILDREN ARE LINED UP TOGETHER WITH THEIR
HANDS OUT, PALMS UP. THE MOTHER SAYS, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PIANO, MAY
I PLAY IT? THE WITCH SAYS, HERE, I WILL PLAY IT FOR YOU. AND SHE HITS
THE HANDS, AND THE CHILD WHO BELONGS TO THE HAND THAT IS HIT SAYS A
NOTE, (DO, RE, MI, ETC,) THEN THE MOTHER SAYS, I WANT TO PLAY IT AND
WHEN SHE HITS THE HANDS, THE CHILDREN REPLY, MAMA, MAMA, AND THE
MOTHER SAYS, MY CHILDREN, AND THEY ALL RUN HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic |
Date learned: CA00001960
MARCO POLO
THIS GAME IS PLAYED IN A SWIMMING POOL. ONE PERSON
IS IT. HE CLOSES HIS EYES AND COUNTS TO TEN WHILE EVERYONE SCATTERS IN
THE POOL. HE THEN TURNS AROUND, WITH HIS EYES STILL CLOSED, AND YELLS
MARCO. EVERYONE ANSWERS BACK POLO. AND HE TRIES TO FIND A PERSON BY
LISTENING TO WHERE THE POLO COMES FROM. OR HE CAN LISTEN TO THE WATER
MOVING WHEN A PERSON SWIMS AWAY. HE CAN SAY MARCO AS MANY TIMES AS HE
WANTS AND EVERYONE MUST ANSWER. NO ONE CAN GET OUTSIDE OF THE POOL.
THE FIRST PERSON HE TOUCHES IS IT, AND THE GAME STARTS ALL OVER
AGAIN.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Hiding Searching Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Water Ice Snow |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
PICTURE
NEVER GIVE YOUR PICTURE TO AN OLD MAN, BECAUSE HE MIGHT TAKE
IT TO A TOMB, AND TURN IT FACE UP, WHICH CAN CAUSE YOU A
SUDDEN DEATH OR BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING MY STAY IN DETROIT WITH PEOPLE WHO
LIVED THERE A LONG TIME.
THIS SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF IS CONTAGIOUS MAGIC BECAUSE THE OBJECTS
ARE IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER CAUSING BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.1 BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.44 |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
AT CHRISTMAS, THE FATHER SNEAKS OUTSIDE AND PROCEEDS TO KNOCK ON
THE DOORS AND WINDOWS. THE MOTHER WARNS THE CHILDREN THAT THE WOLF
IS COMING. THE FATHER ENTERS THE HOUSE THROUGH THE BACK DOOR. HE
HAS A BLANKET OVER HIS HEAD AND A "TURON" IN HIS HANDS. A "TURON"
IS THE HEAD OF A WOLF ON A STICK WITH FLAPPING JAWS CONTROLLED BY
A ROPE. THE FATHER CHASES THE KIDS AROUND THE ROOM THEN SNEAKS
BACK OUTSIDE.
Submitter comment:
MOST OFTEN THE "TURON" IS HOMEMADE AND PASSED ON FROM FATHER TO
ELDEST SON. THIS WAS DONE BY MY GRANDFATHER IN DETROIT BUT MY
FATHER DOES NOT OBSERVE THE CUSTOM ANYMORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MASK
Date learned: 10-10-1974
BELIEF ABOUT PEANUTS
EATING LARGE AMOUNTS OF PEANUTS MAKES A MAN VIRILE
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED BELIEF IN MEXI
AND CLAIMS THAT THE BELIEF
COMES FROM A STORY ABOUT A KING WHO FED HIS SLAVES PEANUTS SO
THAT THEY WOULD BE STRONG AND BEAR MANY CHILDREN. HOWEVER
I COULD FIND NO SUCH STORY OR MOTIF IN LIBRARY RESEARCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-27-1974
GAME: CHINESE FIRE DRILL
WHEN STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT, ALL OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR RUSH OUT
AND RUN AROUND THE CAR AS MANY TIMES AS THEY CAN BEFORE THE
LIGHT TURNS GREEN.
Submitter comment:
THIS ITEM IS CLASSIFIED AS A GAME BECAUSE IT IMPLIES COMPETITION
AGAINST THE LIGHT. THE KNOWN RECORD IS 3 TIMES AROUND THE CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: CA00001968
MNEMONIC DEVICE
MY VERY EDUCATED MOTHER JUST SERVED US NINE PICKLES.
Submitter comment:
THIS SENTENCE HELPS TO REMEMBER THE PLANETS IN THE ORDER OF NEAREST
TO THE SUN TO FURTHEST FROM THE SUN
INFORMANT SAID HE LEARNED THE DEVICE FROM SOME OF HIS FRIENDS AT
SCHOOL. HE DIDN'T REMEMBER WHO TOLD IT TO HIM BUT SAID IT WAS USED
BY ALMOST EVERYONE IN HIS CLASS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; NEPTUNE ; PLANETS: MERCURY, VENUS, EARTH, MARS, JUPITER, SATURN, ; PLUTO ; URANUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
MNEMONIC DEVICE
JOHN STEPHEN ULRICH NEEDS EVERY VITAMIN, MINERAL, PLUS MEAT
Submitter comment:
THIS SENTENCE HELPS IN REMEMBERING THE PLANETS IN THE ORDER OF
LARGEST TO SMALLEST
INFORMANT SAID HE LEARNED THE DEVICE FROM SOME OF HIS FRIENDS AT
SCHOOL. HE DIDN'T REMEMBER WHO TOLD IT TO HIM BUT SAID IT WAS USED
BY ALMOST EVERYONE IN HIS CLASS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
James Callow Keyword(s): Earth ; JUPITER ; MARS ; MERCURY ; NEPTUNE ; PLANETS ; PLUTO ; SATURN ; URANUS ; VENUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- MNEM |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
GOOD LUCK CHARM FOR A NEW HOUSE AND ITS OWNERS
AT A HOME WARMING YOU SHOULD PUT LOOSE CHANGE OVER A DOOR IN THE
HOUSE TO BRING ITS NEW OWNERS GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THE CHARM WHILE LIVING OUT EAST AND SAID SHE
AND HER HUSBAND CONTINUE TO DO IT HERE IN MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Irregular BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2 |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
CRANBERRY SCOOP
CRANBERRY SCOOP PICTURES SEE SQ692406-3 TO SQ692406-7
Submitter comment:
THE CRANBERRY SCOOP WAS USED IN THE HARVESTING OF CRANBERRIES. THE
ONE PICTURED COMES FROM KINGSTON MASSACHUSETTS. AND IS ABOUT 35 YEARS
OLD. IT BELONGED TO MY GREAT UNCLE. THEY STOPPED USING THE SCOOP
FOR HARVESTING THE ENTIRE CRANBERRY BOG IN THE EARLY TO MIDDLE 1950S
WHEN A MECHANIZED PICKER WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE BUSINESS. IT WAS
STILL USED TO HARVEST ALONG THE SIDES OF THE BOG FOR THE
MECHANICAL PICKER COULDN'T HARVEST THERE.
THE OLD SCOOPS THAT ARE NO LONGER BEING USED IN THE BOG HAVE BEEN
USED IN THE HOME FOR NEWSPAPER RACKS AND MAGAZINE RACKS. IN SOME
CASES THE SCREEN WAS REMOVED AND A PIECE OF CREWEL WORK WAS PUT IN
ITS PLACE TO MAKE THE SCOOP MORE ATTRACTIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Massachusetts ; MADISON HEIGHTS ; KINGSTON
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Favorites ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation Fishing ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Household furniture and utensil |
Date learned: 00-00-1938
THE MONK
IN A SMALL NORTHERN TOWN IN ITALY, HIGH IN THE MOUNTAINS LIVED THE
MONKS. THE MONKS WERE VERY RICH AND ALWAYS SAVED THEIR MONEY IN A
SMALL SACK, AND CONTINUOUSLY PRAYED THAT SOMEDAY THEY WOULD BE ABLE
TO GO TO HEAVEN.
THE ROBBERS OF ITALY WERE ALWAYS TRYING
TO STEAL THE MONK'S MONEY. ONE
DAY, A ROBBER GOT A TERRIFIC IDEA ON HOW HE WOULD STEAL ONE OF THE
MONK'S MONEY. THE MONK'S NAME WAS FATHER FRANCO.
THIS ROBBER PLAYED A GUITAR AND HE WAS ALSO A SINGER. ONE DAY HE SAW
A MONK PRAYING IN HIS ROOM. THE ROBBER CLIMBED ON THE ROOF ABOVE THE
MONK'S ROOM AND BEGAN TO SING, "FATHER FRANCO, FATHER FRANCO, COME UP
TO HEAVEN."
FATHER FRANCO HEARING THIS, THOUGHT IT WAS GOD CALLING, AND PREPARED TO GO TO HEAVEN. FATHER FRAN
ANSWERED, "LORD, LORD, I AM READY." THE ROBBER HEARING THIS SAID, "FATHER FRANCO, FIRST YOU MUST GIVE UP YOUR SMALL SACK OF MONEY." FATHER FRAN
ANSWERED, "I'LL DO ANYTHING TO GO TO HEAVEN." SO THE ROBBER PUT A HOLE IN THE ROOF AND LOWERED A ROPE DOWN. HE THEN SAID, "FATHER FRAN
PUT THE SACK OF MONEY ON THE BOTTOM OF THE ROPE, AND I'LL PULL IT UP TO HEAVEN FOR YOU." FATHER FRAN
DID AS HE WAS INSTRUCTED, AND NOW PREPARED HIMSELF FOR ENTRY INTO HEAVEN. FINALLY, THE ROBBER LOWERED THE ROPE DOWN AGAIN AND SAID, "FATHER FRANCO,
TIE THE ROPE AROUND YOUR NECK AND I'LL PULL YOU UP INTO HEAVEN." FATHER FRANCO, AS HOLY AS HE WAS, PUT THE ROPE AROUND HIS NECK AND ANSWERED, "LORD, I
AM READY, TAKE ME." WHEN THE ROBBER HEARD THIS HE PULLED ON THE ROPE AND HUNG FATHER FRANCO.
Submitter comment: FROM ITALY IN THE EARLY 1900S
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
MYTHWOODPECKER
ANOTHER STORY ABOUT ST. PETER IS THE ONE ABOUT THE LADY WHO WAS
BAKING LITTLE BREADS ONE DAY AND A LITTLE OLD MAN CAME TO HER WINDOW
STARVING AFTER TRAVELLING SO FAR PREACHING AND ASKED HER FOR A SMALL
LOAF OF BREAD. HOWEVER, WHEN THE WOMAN LOOKED AT EACH BREAD AS SHE
ROLLED IT, IT LOOKED TOO BIG TO GIVE AWAY. SO SHE KEPT ROLLING AND
ROLLING TRYING TO MAKE HIM A VERY SMALL ONE, UNTIL SHE GAVE UP AND
KEPT THEM ALL TO HERSELF. SO ST. PETER, ANGERED BY HER ACTIONS, TOLD
HER FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE SHE WOULD HAVE TO SCROUNGE AROUND FOR
FOOD AND SO HE CHANGED HER INTO A BIRD EXCEPT FOR HER KERCHIEF, AND
SENT HER UP THE SOOTY CHIMNEY. THIS IS WHY YOU ALWAYS SEE THE
WOODPECKER PECKING AWAY AT THE BARK ON THE TREES AND ITS BODY IS
BLACK FROM THE SOOT IN THE CHIMNEY, AND ITS HEAD IS RED LIKE THE
LADY'S KERCHIEF.
(SHARE WHATEVER YOU HAVE AND NEVER THINK YOU ARE GIVING TOO MUCH,
FOR THE TIME MAY COME WHEN YOU NEED SOMETHING AND YOU MAY HAVE TO
ASK FOR HELP FROM SOMEONE).
Submitter comment: FROM ITALY IN THE EARLY 1900S
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
(KIND AND UNKIND STORY) ST. PETER STORY
ONCE UPON A TIME IN A SMALL TOWN IN SICILY, THERE LIVED A MEAN
STEPMOTHER WITH TWO DAUGHTERS, ONE OF WHOM WAS HER NATURAL DAUGHTER
AND THE OTHER WAS HER STEPDAUGHTER. HOWEVER, HER STEPDAUGHTER, BEING
THE PRETTIER OF THE TWO GIRLS, WAS ALWAYS IN THE KITCHEN SCRUBBING
THE POTS AND PANS AND DOING ALL THE DIRTY WORK THAT HAD TO BE DONE,
WHILE THE NATURAL DAUGHTER WAS JUST LAYING AROUND DOING NOTHING AND
GETTING SELFISH AND MORE SELF-CENTERED EVERY DAY. WELL, THIS
STEPMOTHER MADE THE BREAD FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE TOWN AND DELIVERY WAS
MADE DAILY BY HER TWO DAUGHTERS. ONE DAY AS THE BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER
WAS WALKING DOWN THE ROAD, SHE MET AN OLD, BEARDED MAN SITTING ALONG
THE ROADSIDE. HE ASKED HER FOR A SMALL PIECE OF BREAD BECAUSE HE HAD
NOT EATEN FOR TWO DAYS. THE YOUNG GIRL TOOK PITY ON HIM AND GAVE HIM
THE WHOLE LOAF OF BREAD. HE THANKED HER AND TOLD HER IF SHE HEARD THE
ROOSTER CROW ONCE ON THE WAY HOME, SHE WAS NOT TO TURN AROUND. BUT,
IF THE ROOSTER CROWED TWICE, SHE WAS TO TURN AROUND QUICKLY. BEING AN
OBEDIENT GIRL, WHEN THE ROOSTER CROWED ONCE SHE KEPT RIGHT ON
WALKING, BUT WHEN SHE HEARD HIM CROW TWICE, SHE QUICKLY TURNED
AROUND AND AS SHE DID SO, A DIAMOND APPEARED IN THE MIDDLE OF HER
FOREHEAD MAKING HER MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN EVER. UPON RETURNING HOME
AND EXPLAINING WHAT HAPPENED TO HER STEPMOTHER, THE NATURAL DAUGHTER
WANTED TO GO THE SAME ROAD HER SISTER FOLLOWED THE DAY BEFORE.
HOWEVER, BEING SELFISH AND MEAN, WHEN THE POOR OLD MAN APPROACHED HER
AND ASKED FOR A MORSEL OF BREAD, SHE SPAT UPON HIM AND TRIED TO RUN
AWAY. THEREFORE, ANGERED BY HER ACTIONS, HE TOLD HER TO TURN AROUND
IF SHE HEARD THE ROOSTER CROW ONCE, AND TO WALK STRAIGHT AHEAD IF SHE
HEARD HIM CROW TWICE. UPON DOING THIS, AS SHE TURNED AROUND WHEN THE
ROOSTER CROWED ONCE, A BIG HORN GREW IN THE MIDDLE OF HER FOREHEAD,
MAKING HER UGLIER THAN SHE WAS BEFORE.
Submitter comment:
FROM ITALY IN THE EARLY 1900'S
THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS TO SHARE WITH OTHERS AND HAVE PITY ON
THOSE LESS FORTUNATE THAN YOU, FOR THE LITTLE OLD MAN WAS REALLY ST.
PETER IN DISGUISE, SAID MY GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; ITALY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
BELIEF
IF YOU GO SWIMMING IN THE OCEAN, OR ANY OTHER LARGE BODY OF WATER ON
HOLY THURSDAY, YOU WILL TURN INTO A FISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | 663 Holy Thursday Favorites BELIEF -- Fish BELIEF -- Still water Large body. |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
TELEPHONE PRANK
CALL A NUMBER FOUR OR FIVE TIMES, AND EACH TIME ASK FOR HARRY.
THEN CALL AND SAY, THIS IS HARRY, ARE THERE ANY MESSAGES?
Submitter comment:
AS THE INFORMANT OFFERED THIS ONE, I COULD SEE THAT SHE TOLD IT
RELUCTANTLY, AS IF SHE HAD FEAR OF IT HAPPENING TO HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
James Callow Keyword(s): TELEPHONE PRANK
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 01-00-1974
AMOS KNOCK-KNOCK
KNOCK-KNOCK - WHO'S THERE? - AMOS - AMOS WHO? - A MOSQUITO BIT ME.
ANDY KNOCK-KNOCK KNOCK-KNOCK - WHO'S THERE? - ANDY - ANDY WHO? - AND HE BIT ME AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
THIS KNOCK-KNOCK JOKE WAS FOLLOWED BY THE NEXT ITEM LISTED.
THIS NEXT ITEM WAS SAID BEFORE THE LAUGHTER OF THE FIRST DIED DOWN.
THIS IS THE SECOND HALF OF THE PREVIOUS ITEM. IT WAS SAID IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FIRST PART.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RIVERVIEW
| Subject headings: | Favorites RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 01-00-1974