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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE FOUNDING OF KRAKOW
ONCE THERE WAS A SETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE ON THE VISTULA RIVER NEAR
THE FOOT OF THE KARPATH MOUNTAINS. HOWEVER, THERE ALSO LIVED A
DRAGON IN A CAVE (CALLED THE JASKINIA). EVERY DAY HE WOULD COME
TO THE SETTLEMENT AND SWALLOW SOME SHEEP, AND THEN GO TO THE
VISTULA TO WASH HIS MEAL DOWN AND BACK TO HIS JASKINIA TO SLEEP.
THE PEOPLE WERE ANGRY--ESPECIALLY THE SHEPHERDS AND NOBLEMEN.
THE SHEPHERDS AND THE PEOPLE OFFERED REWARDS OF ALL SORTS TO
ANYONE WHO COULD KILL THE DRAGON. MANY GLORY-SEEKING NOBLEMEN
TRIED, BUT WERE CRUSHED. THEN A SHOEMAKER NAMED KRAKUS STEPPED
FORWARD. HE KILLED A SHEEP, GUTTED IT, AND STUFFED IT WITH
SULPHUR. THE FOLLOWING DAY KRAKUS WATCHED THE DRAGON COME FROM
HIS JASKINIA AND IN HIS PATH KRAKUS PLACED THE SHEEP.
THE DRAGON SWALLOWED THE SHEEP WITH ONE GULP AND CONTINUED AFTER
MORE SHEEP. HOWEVER, THE DRAGON FELT A BURNING THIRST AND RUSHED
TO THE VISTULA RIVER. THERE THE DRAGON DRANK AND DRANK, NOT BEING
ABLE TO QUENCH HIS THIRST. HE CONTINUED DRINKING. FINALLY, THE
DRAGON BURST AND DIED.
KRAKUS WAS HAILED BY THE PEOPLE AND MADE THE CHIEF OF THE SETTLE-
MENT. THEY TOOK HIS NAME AND DUBBED THE SETTLEMENT KRAKOW, OR THE
PEOPLE OF KRAKOW.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REMEMBERED BEING TOLD THIS STORY BY HIS FATHER AND FOUND
IT VERY INTERESTING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
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 |
SKUNK MISTAKEN FOR CAT
MY GREAT-GRANDPARENTS OWNED A FARM IN MASSACHUSETTS . THEY HAD AN
OLD MAN WORKING FOR THEM WHO WAS ALSO RENTING AN OLD CABIN MY
GREAT-GRANDFATHER HAD ON HIS LAND. ONE NIGHT THE OLD MAN CAME HOME
LATE FROM THE BAR AND AT HIS STEPS WAS WHAT HE THOUGHT TO BE MY
GREAT-GRANDPARENTS' CAT. THE OLD MAN PICKED UP THE ANIMAL AND
STARTED TO PET IT. WHEN HE GOT INSIDE THE CABIN HE LIT A MATCH TO
LIGHT THE LAMP. WHEN HE LIT THE MATCH HE SCARED THE SKUNK WHO LET
THE OLD MAN HAVE IT RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES. THE OLD MAN COULDN'T
SEE VERY WELL FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS AFTER IT HAPPENED
Submitter comment:
THIS IS TOLD AS A TRUE STORY IN OUR FAMILY. IT CAN BE HEARD
ANYTIME THE OLDER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY GET TOGETHER AND START
TO TALK ABOUT THE GOOD OLD DAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
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
James Callow Keyword(s): PUN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
OMENS
THE INFORMANT TELLS THE STORY OF A DOG WHO WOULDN'T LET HIS
MASTER OUT OF THE HOUSE TO TAKE CARE OF SOME BUSINESS. THE
DOG WOULD BARK AND JUMP ON HIS MASTER WHENEVER HE TRIED TO
LEAVE. THE MAN GREW ANGRY, PUSHED THE DOG ASIDE AND LEFT.
THE MAN NEVER RETURNED AND THE DOG DIED ON THE VERY SPOT ON
WHICH HE HAD BEEN BARKING.
Submitter comment:
(THE INFORMANT BELIEVES THAT ANY STRANGE BEHAVIOR IN DOGS AND
HORSES IS LIKELY TO BODE ILL FOR THE MASTER IF HE DOES NOT
HEED THEM)
| Subject headings: | Observation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 09-00-1972
THE TOOTH-FAIRY RAT
WHEN A LITTLE CHILD LOSES A TOOTH, THE WHITE RAT WILL COME IF HE
PUTS HIS TOOTH UNDER THE PILLOW. IF HES BEEN GOOD, THE WHITE RAT
WILL LEAVE HIM MONEY, OR A FIG, OR AN ORANGE. IF HE HASNT BEEN
GOOD, THE WHITE RAT WILL LEAVE HIM A LUMP OF COAL, OR A ROCK, OR
SOMETHING THAT'S USELESS. SO IF YOU ARE A SMART BAD KID, YOU WON'T
PUT YOUR TOOTH UNDER THE PILLOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue |
WHY DOGS AND CATS DON'T GET ALONG
NOW THE DOG, HE WAS A FREE MAN ALWAYS. HE MINED THE YARD. ONE DAY
THE DOG WAS GONNA GO FOR A WALK AND HE DRESSED, GOT HIS CANE AND ALL.
NOW HE HAD TO GO THROUGH HIS MASTER HOUSE TO GET TO THE FRONT, SO HE
HAD TO PASS THE CAT WHO WAS ALWAYS IN THE KITCHEN BY THE FIRE-IRON.
THE DOG SAY, "SISS CAT, HOW YOU FIND YO' HEALTH THESE HERE DAYS?"
SAY, "BR'ER, I AIN'T DOING SO WELL, THANK YOU FOE ASKING." I'M
GOING OUT FOR A WALK AND I WISH YOU BE SO KIND AS TO TAKE CHARGE OF
MY PAPER FOR ME, TEL I GET BACK. SISS CAT SAY, "SHOW, I SHOW WILL
BR'ER-DOG, WITH PLESURE. SO BR'ER-DOG HAND SISS-CAT HIS PAPER AND
WENT OUT FOR HIS WALK. SISS-CAT WAS TRYING TO STAY CAREFUL WITH
BR-ER-DOG'S PAPER BUT SHE REALLY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT OR
HOW TO DO IT. SO SHE KINDLY PUT IT ON THE FLOOR, MADE A MAT AND SOON
FELL TO SLEEP ON IT. WELL THE RAT STUCK HIS LITTLE HEAD OUT HIS HOLE
TO SEE WHAT THE NEWS WAS. WHEN HE SAW THE PAPER UNDER THE CAT HE
STARTED THANKING HOW HE WAS GONNA GET IT FROM HER. AND HE DECIDED
TO TAKE JUST A NIBBLE OFF A LITTLE PIECE, THAT WOULD'NT WAKE-UP THE
CAT BUT BEFORE HE GOT THE WHOLE PIECE IN HIS LITTLE MOUTH SIS' CAT
WOKE-UP, FORGOT ALL ABOUT BEING CAREFUL WITH BR'ER-DOG'S PAPER AND
JUMPED AFTER THE RAT, AS HE MADE HIS GET-A-AWAY THROUGH HIS HOLE WITH
A LITTLE PIECE OF BR'ER DOG'S PAPER IN HIS MOUTH. SO SIS' CAT CAME
BACK OUT OF BREATH AND SHE HAD TO LOOK FOR THE PAPER BECAUSE THE
WIND HAD BLOWN IT ABOUT. SHE LOOKED, LOOKED AND LOOKED, AIN'T FOUND
NO TRACE OF THE PAPER, YET. AND WHEN BR'ER DOG CAME BACK HE ASKED,
"WHERE MY PAPER I LAID WITH YOU?" SIS' CAT SAYS, "WHO TOLD YOU TO
LAY YO' PAPER WITH ME I WANT TO KNOW:" I GO TO COMBAT THAT HOUSE-RAT
I CANN'T LOOK OUT FOR YO' PAPER TOO, SOMEBODY MUST HAVE PLAYED
THIEF WHEN I TURNED FOR A MINUTE." BR'ER DOG SAY, "YOU NO GOOD FOE
NOTHING THANG YO. WHAT IS CATS FOE ANYWAY - THAT I WANT TO KNOW;
I AIN'T GOT NO USE FOR THEM. BOW-WOW-WOW:" SIS' CAT ANSWERED,
"SP-T-Z-Z" AND THEY STOPPED SPEAKING AND TODAY THEY AIN'T SPEAKING.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A NEW STORY TO ME. I FOUND SOME WORDS IN THE STORY, SUCH AS
BR'ER FOR MY BROTHER AND SIS FOR SISTER, TO BE COMMON LANGUAGE AMONG
BLACKS MAINLY IN THE SOUTH.
Data entry tech comment:
A-T 200 THE DOG'S CERTIFICATE
MT[ A2281.1 CAT LOSES DOG'S CERTIFICATE: ; A2281.1 (CONT'D) ENMITY BETWEEN CATS AND DOGS
****************** NEW D FILE 2 ******************
Where learned: ALABAMA
James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONIFICATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1920
CUCKOO MOTHER
A LONG, LONG TIME AGO, A WIDOW MOTHER LIVED ON A FARM WITH HER
THREE SONS; STRONG AS OAK TREES AS BROAD AS TREE-TRUNKS. THEY
LIVED MANY YEARS HAPPILY, EVERYONE'S RESPECTED, TILL HER SONS
GREW UP. AND WHEN THEY GREW UP, THE KING INVITED THEM TO RIDE
WITH HIM INTO WAR. ONE RODE OUT TO THE EAST, ANOTHER TO THE SOUTH,
AND THE THIRD, THE YOUNGEST--TO THE WEST. WHEN THEY RODE OUT,
THROUGH THE THREE YEARS NOT ONE SENT ANY WORD AND THE MOTHER
DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER THEY WERE ALIVE OR DEAD. SHE CRIED, BUT
DIDN'T GIVE UP HOPE, THAT SOMEDAY THEY WILL RETURN, TO CALM
HER OLD DAYS. BUT WHEN THE THIRD SPRING CAME, SHE WENT OUT
ON TOP OF A HILL AND SAW, THAT A HORSE WAS RIDING EMPTY-SADDLED.
AND SHE RECOGNIZED IT AS HER OLDEST SON'S HORSE. SHE
RECOGNIZED AND REALIZED, THAT HER OLDEST SON WAS NO LONGER ALIVE.
AND WHEN SHE REALIZED THIS, SHE CRIED FOR THREE DAYS AND THREE
NIGHTS. BUT THE PEOPLE TOLD HER: "DON'T CRY, THAT YOUR SON DIED
IN WAR. GOD GAVE, AND GOD TAKETH AWAY. BETTER YOU ASK HIM TO
RETURN YOUR OTHER TWO SONS WELL." WHILE THEY WERE CALMING HER,
THEY SAW A SECOND HORSE COME GALLOPING UP, NEIGHING AS IF
WEEPING HIMSELF. THE REIGNS PULLED OFF, THE SADDLE SPLASHED WITH
BLOOD AND THE HORSE ITSELF WOUNDED. HE RAN UP TO THE GATE, KNELT
DOWN ON ALL FOURS AND FELL OVER DEAD. AND THE MOTHER RECOGNIZED
THAT THE SECOND HORSE BROUGHT HER PAINFUL NEWS. SHE BEGAN TO CRY
EVEN MORE PAINFULLY, THAT NOW HER SECOND SON WAS DEAD. THE
PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW TO COMFORT HER NOW. "IF ONLY. LORD, I KNEW
WHERE MY SONS LIE. WITH A FOX I'D RUN THERE, WITH A BIRD I'D FLY
THERE, ON THEIR GRAVES I WOULD CRY." SHE CRIED DAY AND NIGHT,
CURSING HER FUTURE, WAITING FOR HER YOUNGEST SON. BUT WHILE
SHE WAS CRYING, THE THIRD HORSE CAME HOME, TOO, INJURED AND
WOUNDED. HE RAN UP TO THE GATES, NEIGHED SORROWFULLY AND
KNEELING ON ALL FOURS, FELL OVER DEAD. THE MOTHER RECOGNIZED THAT
NOW HER THIRD SON WOULDN'T COME HOME. SHE FELL TO THE GROUND
FROM THE GRIEF AND TURNED INTO A CUCKOO BIRD, CUCKOOD IN A
SORROWFUL WAY AND FLEW AWAY TO FOREIGN LANDS IN SEARCH OF HER
SONS: SHE FLIES AND HUNTS FOR THEM YEAR ROUND IN THE STRANGE LANDS,
AND IN THE SPRING TIME COMES HOME, FLIES THROUGH THE FORESTS,
CRYING FOR HER SONS. AND WHEN THE DAY COMES THAT THE YOUNGEST
SON'S HORSE CAME HOME, SHE AGAIN FLIES OUT TO THE FOREIGN LANDS
TO SEARCH FOR THEM. AND THAT'S HOW IT ALWAYS WAS, AND ALWAYS WILL
BE....
Submitter comment: (TRANSLATED FROM LITHANIA BY RAMUNE M. STONYS)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): BIRDS, ANIMALS, TRANSFORMATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
ABOUT A MOUSE, THAT WAS A CAT, DOG AND TIGER
IT IS SAID: THAT IF A TIGER HAS THE HEART OF A MOUSE, THEN IT
WOULD BE BETTER IF HE DIDN'T SEE OR MEET A CAT. ONE TIME, A CROW
WAS CARRYING A MOUSE IN HIS BEAK, AND FLYING OVER A FOREST WHEN HE
DROPPED IT. IN THAT FOREST LIVED A MAN THAT KNEW MAGIC. AND
THE MOUSE DROPPED DOWN BY THE MAN'S FEET. SEEING THE MOUSE,
THE MAN PICKED HIM UP AND CARRIED HIM INTO HIS HUT. MANY DAYS
THE MOUSE LIVED WITH THE MAN. THE MAN FED HIM, WATERED HIM
AND THE MOUSE WAS HAPPY. BUT ONE TIME, GOING OUT OF THE HUT,
HE SAW A BIG CAT NOT TOO FAR AWAY. HE RAN BACK INTO THE HUT,
CRAWLED INTO THE FARTHEST AND DARKEST CORNER AND SHOOK FROM FRIGHT.
SEEING THIS, THE MAN ASKED: "WHT'S WRONG? WHY ARE YOU SHAKING?"
"O MY GOOD MAN," SQUEEKED THE MOUSE, "NOT FAR AWAY FROM
OUR HUT I MET A CAT AND NOW I'M DYING FROM FRIGHT}" AFTER
THINKING FOR AWHILE, THE MAN SAID: "ALRIGHT, I'LL DO IT SO THAT
YOU'LL NEVER BE AFRAID OF CATS AGAIN} GO TO BED. IN THE
MORNING WHEN YOU WAKE UP, YOU'LL BE A CAT--NOT A MOUSE." THE MAN
DID AS HE PROMISED: THE MOUSE WOKE UP AS A CAT. "--NOW YOU DON'T
HAVE TO BE AFRAID OF CATS ANYMORE. YOU ARE A CAT YOURSELF,"
SAID THE MAN. HAPPILY, THE CAT-MOUSE RAN OUT OF THE HUT.
AND WHEN SHE WANTED TO TWIST AROUND IN THE SUN, SHE AGAIN SAW
THE CAT. THE POOR THING IMMEDIATELY FORGOT THAT SHE HERSELF WAS
A CAT, AND RAN BACK INTO THE HUT. "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?" ASKED
THE MAN. "HOW COME YOU'RE FRIGHTENED AGAIN?" THE CAT WAS
LIED. "I MET A DOG IN THE FOREST: HE STARTED CHASING ME AND I
BARELY MANAGED TO ESCAPE FROM HIM. THE MAN SAID AGAIN: "GO TO SLEEP.
IN THE MORNING YOU'LL WAKE UP AS A DOG, AND YOU WON'T HAVE TO
BE AFRAID OF DOGS ANYMORE." AND THAT'S HOW IT WAS: IN THE MORNING
THE CAT WOKE UP AS A DOG AND BARKING LOUDLY, RAN OUT OF THE
HUT. BUT NEARING A TREE SHE AGAIN SAW THE CAT. THE CAT ALSO
SAW THE DOG. SHE THOUGHT THAT THE DOG WAS GOING TO ATTACK,
SO SHE PREPARED TO DEFEND HERSELF, HISSED, LIFTED HER RIGHT PAW
AND LOUDLY MEOWD. HEARING THE CAT MEOWING, THE DOG RAN INTO THE
HUT FRIGHTENED. "WHAT FRIGHTENED YOU THIS TIME?" ASKED THE
MAN. THE DOG WAS ASHAMED TO ADMIT, THAT HE HAD BEEN FRIGHTENED
BY A CAT, SO AGAIN HE LIED: "O MY GOOD MAN, NOT FAR FROM
OUR HUT I MET A TIGER} UP TO NOW I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND
HOW I MANAGED TO GET AWAY ALIVE} "WELL, I'LL MAKE IT SO THAT
FROM NOW ON, YOU WON'T BE AFRAID OF ANYTHING. TOMORROW YOU
SHALL WAKE UP AS A TIGER." AND THAT'S HOW IT WAS: IN THE MORNING
THE DOG WOKE UP A TIGER AND DECIDED: "IT DOESN'T BEFIT ME,
RULER OF THE ANIMALS TO LIVE IN A MERE MAN'S HUT} I WILL GO INTO
THE FOREST AND LET THE OTHER ANIMALS TREMBLE AT MY POWER AND
BRAVERY}" THINKING THIS, THE TIGER STEPPED OUT OF THE HUT AND
HEADED FOR THE DARK JUNGLE. AND SUDDENLY HE SAW THE CAT. AND
THE CAT SAW THE TIGER. OUT OF FRIGHT, THE CAT'S FUR STOOD
ON END, BACK ARCHED AND EYES CRACKED FIRE. "NOW I'M DEAD}"
THOUGHT THE CAT. "FROM THE TIGER I WILL NOT ESCAPE}" THE TIGER,
IN WHOSE BREAST BEAT THE HEART OF A MOUSE, SAW THE CRACKLING
EYES AND IMMEDIATELY RAN OFF TO THE MAN'S HUT. HE SHOT INTO THE
HOUSE, CRAMPED HIMSELF INTO THE FARTHEST CORNER AND LAYED
THERE WITH TEETH CHATTERING OUT OF FRIGHT. THE MAN WAS
SUPRISED: "HOW COME YOU ARE TREMBLING AGAIN? IS THERE IN OUR
LAND AN ANIMAL STRONGER THAN THE TIGER?" "THERE IS..." WHISPERED
THE TIGER. "WHAT IS HE?" ASKED THE SUPRISED MAN. "A..A..
CAT}" THEN THE MAN UNDERSTOOD AND SAID: "A TIGER, IN WHOSE
BREAST BEATS THE HEART OF A MOUSE, IS WEAKER THAN A CAT. LET HIM,
THAT HAS A HEART OF A MOUSE, ALWAYS BE A MOUSE. HAVING SAID
THIS, THE MAN TURNED THE TIGER BACK INTO A POOR LITTLE MOUSE.
Submitter comment:
(THIS IS THE TALE RETOLD AND ILLUSTRATED BY MARCIA BROWN
AS "ONCE A MOUSE"9)
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): TRANSFORMATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
GHOST STORY
MY SISTER HELEN WAS ILL AND I WAS LIVING IN ANOTHER TOWN. I HAD
A DOG THEN AND ONE NIGHT THIS DOG STARTED HOWLING AND I COULDN'T
GET HIM TO SHUT UP. IT HOWLED ALL NIGHT, AND THE NEXT MORNING,
I GOT A CALL FROM SOMEONE WHO TOLD ME THAT MY SISTER HAD DIED.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS TRUE AND MY GRANDMOTHER STILL REMEMBERS HOW SHE
FELT WHEN IT HAPPENED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
HAUNTED HOUSE
WE HAD A DOG AND AT TIMES THE DOG WOULD ACT LIKE HE SAW SOMEONE,
WHOM HE DID NOT SEE. HE WOULD BARK OR GROWL AND HIS HAIR
WOULD STAND UP. I WOULD BE SO SCARED I WOULD PUT HIM OUT SIDE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 10-30-1971
THE DOG
TWO WOMEN WERE COMING HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT, WHEN THEY HEARD ON
THE RADIO THAT A PSYCHOPATHIC MANIAC HAD ESCAPED FROM THE STATE
MENTAL HOSPITAL. ONE OF THE WOMEN, WHO LIVED WITH HER PARENTS,
ASKED THE OTHER, WHO LIVED ALONE WITH HER GERMAN SHEPARD DOG, IF
SHE WOULD LIKE TO STAY AT HER HOUSE FOR THE NIGHT. THE WOMAN
REFUSED SAYING THAT SHE WAS SAFE WITH HER DOG. WHEN SHE ARRIVED
HOME, SHE WAS GREETED BY HER DOG AND WENT TO BED. DURING THE
NIGHT SHE HEARD HER DOG YELP SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WHEN SHE PUT HER
HAND DOWN BY THE SIDE OF THE BED, WHICH IS WHERE HER DOG USUALLY
SLEPT, SHE FOUND THAT HER DOG WAS STILL THERE. SHE REASSURED HER-
SELF BY PETTING THE DOG SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN SHE WOKE UP THE
FOLLOWING MORNING, SHE NOTICED THAT HER DOG WAS MISSING. SHE
FINALLY WENT INTO THE BATHROOM TO WASH UP, AND THERE SHE DISCOVERED
HER DOG HANGING DEAD FROM THE SHOWER. THERE WAS A SCREAM. SHE HAD
REALIZED THAT SHE HAD BEEN PETTING THE MANIAC INSTEAD OF HER DOG ALL
NIGHT.
Submitter comment: . I HEARD THIS ON A HUNTING TRIP ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): VIOLENT DEATH
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
TAJOR
LEGEND OF AN ANIMAL HALF TIGER AND HALF JAGUAR THAT ROAMS CAMP
GROUNDS AT NIGHT. PROTECTOR OF THE GOOD AND NEMESIS OF EVIL. OFTEN
USED IN CONVINCING LITTLE BOYS TO GO TO SLEEP--FOR THE TAJOR IS ONLY
HARMFUL TO THOSE WHO ARE BAD.
Submitter comment: LEARNED WHILE COUNSELOR
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MEMPHIS ; SAINT MARYS CAMP
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
BAD LUCK OMENS
IN SOME PARTS OF IRELAND TO MEET A PIG AT NIGHT IS A SIGN OF BAD
LUCK, BECAUSE AT NIGHT PIGS CARRY EVIL SPIRITS IN THEIR BODIES.
ONE FARMER HAD A GRUDGE AGAINST HIS NEIGHBOR, JACK TADG. ONE NIGHT
AS JACK TADG WAS COMING HOME FROM THE PUB, HIS NEIGHBOR LET OUT THE
PIG ACROSS THE ROAD, RIGHT IN FRONT OF JACK TADG. JASUS, SAID
JACK TADG, AND BAD LUCK TO YOUR MASTER AND ALL HIS KIND. AT THAT
MOMENT A CAR SPED AROUND THE CURVE OF THE ROAD, HITTING JACK TADG
AND THROWING HIM RIGHT UP ON TOP OF THE PIG. MOST HOLY MOTHER OF
GOD, HE ROARED, AMN'T I TORMENTED FROM HIM LONG ENOUGH TO HAVE ONLY
ONE BAD LUCK AT A TIME. THE TWO BAD LUCKS WERE MEETING THE PIG AND
GETTING HIT BY THE CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.31 |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
A DOG IS ONE OF THE MOST PERCEPTIVE OF ANIMALS. HE IS ABLE TO
HAVE SOME SORT OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE DEAD. THERE WAS AN
INSTANCE IN NORTHERN OHIO, WHERE MRS. CAMPBELL GREW UP WHICH SHOWED
THIS POWER OF THE DOG. A WOMAN DIES AND WAS BURIED. THE FAMILY
DOG WOULD BE GONE ALL DAY FROM THE HOME AND RETURN AT NIGHT MUDDY
AND TIRED. THIS WENT ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK. FINALLY THEY DECIDED
TO FOLLOW THE DOG AND SEE WHAT IT WAS DOING. THEY FOLLOWED IT TO
A CEMETERY WHERE THEY FOUND THAT HE HAD BEEN DIGGING TO THE DEAD
WOMAN'S COFFIN. THEY OPENED THE COFFIN AND FOUND OUT THAT THE
WOMAN HAD BEEN BURIED ALIVE.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): FAITHFUL ANIMALS
James Callow Keyword(s): PREMATURE BURIAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
THE TALE OF THE HODAG
A LUMBERJACK IN RHINELANDER, WISCONSIN MADE UP THIS TALE. HE, WHILE
IN THE WOODS DEVELOPED AN IMAGENARY ( IMAGINARY ) MONSTER. WHEN HE
TOLD THE PEOPLE IN THE TOWN, THEY DIDN"T BELIEVE HIM, SO HE GOT A
BEARSKIN, TUSKS, AND HORNS AND MADE THE MONSTER. HE PUT IT IN A CAVE
AND CALLED THE TOWNFOLK OUT TO SEE IT. THEY BELIEVED HIM FROM THEN
ON. PEOPLE FROM A MUSEUM CAME AND DISCOVERED THE HOAX. THE TOWN STILL
USES THE HODAG AS ITS MASCOT.
Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR