The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

AXEL AND THE SKUNK

TEXT NOT KEYPUNCHED
ONE MIMEOGRAPHED STORY ABOUT TWO SCANDINAVIAN AMERICANS;
IN 10X13 ENVELOPE, SQ730849-20

Submitter comment: THE HUMOR IN THIS STORY AND THE FOLLOWING ONE BASICALLY IS ETHNICALLY
ORIENTED. THEY SHOW THE PROBLEMS AN IMMIGRANT HAS IN UNDERSTANDING
A NEW LANGUAGE.

Where learned: WASHINGTON ; EDWALL

Date learned: 08-02-1970

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SPOOKY LEGEND

THE STORY CONCERNS A BLIND GIRL AND HER DOG. THE GIRL WAS HOME ALONE
ONE NIGHT WITH HER DOG. IT WAS ABOUT 10 P.M. AND OUTSIDE THE WIND WAS
BLOWING FIERCELY. THUNDER COULD BE HEARD IN THE DISTANCE. THE GIRL
IS LISTENING TO HER RADIO WHEN SUDDENLY A NEWS BULLETIN INTERRUPTS
THE PROGRAM. THE ANNOUNCER TELLS OF A STRANGE MONSTER SIGHTED IN THE
AREA. HE WARNS THE LISTENERS TO BE PARTICULARY CAUTIOUS. SUDDENLY
THE GIRL HEARS HER DOG BARKING FEROCIOUSLY COMING FROM THE DIRECTION
OF THE BATHROOM. HE STOPS BARKING AS INSTANTLY AS HE STARTED. THE
GIRL MAKES HER WAY TO THE BATHROOM, WHERE FOR SOME UNEXPLAINABLE
REASON, SHE STICKS HER HANDS INTO THE BATHROOM SINK. THERE SHE FEELS
THE DOG'S HEAD LAYING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SINK.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PORT HURON ; 2930 Palmer Court

James Callow Keyword(s): GORE

Date learned: 10-30-1972

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BEACH PARTY PROSE

THESE DUDES WERE HAVING A BEACH PARTY. AND THEY WERE
DRINKING A LITTLE
AND THE PARTY HAD PROGRESSED TO WHERE THE GUYS AND GIRLS WERE ALL
PAIRING OFF AND GOING UP ON THE SAND DUNES AND WHAT NOT. THIS ONE
PARTICULAR
COUPLE WENT UP ON THE SAND DUNE AND THEY WERE LAYING THERE
TALKING AND KISSING. SUDDENLY, UNDERNEATH THE SAND, WHERE THEY WERE
LYING ON THE BLANKET, THEY HEARD A FAINT SCRATCHING. AT FIRST THEY
DIDN'T
THINK ANYTHING, BUT IT GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER. QUICKLY THEY JUMPED
UP AND PULLED THE BLANKET UP AND THEY COULD SEE THE SAND DEEPENING
INTO A HOLE. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS SOME KIND OF ANIMAL OR SOMETHING.
THE HOLE REALLY STARTED TO SINK IN, YOU KNOW HOW THE SAND GOES WHEN
YOU DIG IN IT. OUT OF CURIOSITY THE GUY STARTED TO DIG TO SEE WHAT IT
WAS AND PRETTY SOON HE GOT PRETTY DEEP AND THE SAND STARTED TO GET
WET
AND COLD. FINALLY HE BROKE THROUGH AND HE COULD SEE FOUR FINGER
TIPS. SO HE TOLD HIS GIRLFRIEND TO GO BACK AND GET THE OTHER KIDS.
WHILE
THE GIRL WAS GONE SHE HEARD A LOUD SCREAM. SHE GOT EVERYONE ELSE
AND THEY RAN OVER TO WHERE THE GUY WAS. BUT, WHEN THEY GOT THERE THE
SAND WAS COVERED UP LIKE NOTHING HAD HAPPENED AT ALL AND THE GUY WAS
GONE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL ; DETROIT

Date learned: 09-25-1972

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THE DEAD RETURN

YEARS AGO OUTSIDE OF MONROE THERE WAS A GUY KILLE.D ON A MOTORCYCLE
TO THIS DAY WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT NIGHT YOU CAN
SOMETIMES SEE A MYSTERIOUS LIGHT THAT MOVES IN THE DISTANCE. THE
LIGHT IS DEEP IN THE WOODS AND ALNG WITH IT IS THE SOUND OF A
RUNNING MOTORCYCLE. IT HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED AND CANNOT BE
EXPLAINED.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS ; MYSTERIOUS SOUND

Date learned: 10-20-1971

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BUTTERFLIES:

THE LORD HAD CLIPPED PIECES FROM EVERYTHING. THESE CLIPPINGS WERE
CALLED FLUTTER-BYS BY WHITE FOLKS. THESE FLUTTER-BYS GOT OVER TO OUR
PART OF THE WORLD AND WELL, YOU KNOW HOW US BLACK FOLKS ARE; WE
GOTTA' SAY THINGS OUR WAY OR DIE TRYING; SO WHEN WE LOOKED UP AND
SAW THESE THINGS COME FLOATING BY, WE HEARD WHITE FOLKS CALL 'EM
FLUTTER-BYS" AND WE FELL OUT LAUGHING. "FLUTTER-BYS! WHITE FOLKS PUT
THEIR TONGUES THROUGH ALL KINDS OF CHANGES TRYING TO TALK. FLUTTER-
BYS, NOW WHO COULD SAY THAT?" SO WE TURNED THAT THING AROUND AND
CALLED THEM BUTTERFLIES. THAT SOUNDED A WHOLE LOT BETTER; IT WAS
EASY ON THE TONGUE AND EASY ON THE EAR, AND THAT'S THE WAY THE WORDS
WERE 'SPOSED TO BE. BUTTERFLIES!

Submitter comment: THIS IS A VARIANT OF FLUTTER-BYS WHICH IS SEQENCE NUMBER 731772 - 2
IN MY COLLECTION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1950

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A STORY USED TO CIRCULATE AROUND THE AUTO PLANT ABOUT WHAT WAS DONE
BY SOME ANGERED FACTORY EMPLOYEE TO AN OVERBEARING FOREMAN. EVERYONE
HATED THE FOREMAN WHO WAS ALWAYS ON THE BACKS OF THE WORKERS TO WORK
HARDER AND FASTER, AND WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY MEN LOSING THEIR
JOBS. ONE DAY THE FOREMAN WAS FOUND DEAD IN THE PAINT ROOM WHERE HE
HAD BEEN SPRAYED BY MANY COATS OF ENAMEL AND THEN BAKED ALIVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): GORE ; MURDER ; RETALIATION

Date learned: 10-00-1975

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VERSE

THE GUYS WERE PLAYING FOOTBALL,
OUT IN THE YARD,
JESUS PLAYING QUARTERBACK,
MOSES PLAYING GUARD.
THE ANGELS GAVE A GREAT BIG YELL,
WHEN JESUS SCORED A TOUCHDOWN
AGAINST THE GUYS FROM HELL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: WASHINGTON ; WASHINGTON DC

Keyword(s): ANTHROPOMORPHISM ; BIBLICAL ; Football ; God ; HELL ; JESUS ; METAPHOR ; Moses ; RELIGION ; RHYME: ABCDED

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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THERE WERE TWO MEN WHO LIVED IN THE SAME CITY. ONE MADE ARROWS AND
THE OTHER MADE BOWS. ONE DAY THEY DECIDED TO GO TO THE MARKET
TOGETHER TO SELL THEIR PRODUCTS. ON THE WAY A LION JUMPED INTO THEI
PATH. EACH MAN REFUSED TO GIVE THE OTHER HIS PRODUCT BECAUSE EACH
WANTED TO KILL THE LION HIMSELF AND GAIN FAME. DUE TO THIS THE LION
KILLED AND ATE BOTH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CRAFTSMEN PRIDE

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SMART VINCENT

IT IS TOLD THAT THERE IN A CITY OR TOWN, THERE ALWAYS COMES
ALONG A SMART YOUNG MAN AS OFTEN AS A GOOD FARM HAND. BUT OUT IN
THE FARM VILLAGES THERE ALSO COMES ALONG A SMART BOY-WITH A ROUND
HEAD.
IN ONE PARISH THERE WAS A BOY NAMED VINCENT, (WHO) FROM BIRTH WAS
VERY SMART. HIS PARENTS WERE POOR, SO THERE WAS NO MONEY TO SEND
HIM TO SCHOOL WITH. WHEN HE TURNED TWELVE, HIS FATHER GAVE HIM TO A
RICH MAN AS HIS MESSENGER. BEING WITH THE MAN, VINCENT LEARNED HOW
TO WRITE. IN THE FARMS, THE CHILDREN OFTEN GET OUT OF HAND, BECAUSE
THERE IS NO ONE TO LOOK AFTER THEM; BUT VINCENT DIDN'T, HE WAS
FAITHFUL TO HIS MASTER AND DIDN'T OVERLOOK THE SMALLEST THING.
AFTER HE GREW AWHILE, HIS MASTER RAISED HIM TO A HIGHER POSITION,
DRESSED HIM IN THE BEST CLOTHES, PAID HIM A GOOD SALARY AND TOOK HIM
EVERYWHERE WITH HIM. VINCENT DECIDED THAT OUR PEOPLE ARE MUCH TOO
TALKATIVE, THEY TELL EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE-TO THOSE NECESSARY AND T
THOSE NOT NECESSARY. THAT'S WHY HE DECIDED THAT HE WILL NOT TELL
ANYTHING TO ANYONE WITHOUT LYING.
ONE TIME THEY WENT TO VILNIUS. THE MASTER WENT TO THE TOWN AND
VINCENT STAYED ON AT THE HOTEL. AFTER AN HOUR, A STRANGE MAN CAME U
TO HIM AND STARTED TALKING:
"I READ YOUR MASTER'S PASSPORT AND I KNOW THAT HE CAME FROM THE
NORTHERN COUNTRY: TELL ME, WHAT'S NEW UP THERE BY YOU?"
"WHILE LEAVING THE RIVERFRONT, WE HEARD THE CHURCH BELLS CHIMING.
MAYBE SOMEBODY DIED," ANSWERED VINCENT.
"BUT THAT ISN'T WHAT I ASKED," SAID THE MAN. "I WANT TO KNOW
WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE SAYING."
"THE PEOPLE AND PRIESTS SAY PRAYERS EVERY MORNING AND EVENING."
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND ME. I HEARD THAT THE PEOPLE ROSE UP."
"TRUE, TRUE," ANSWERED VINCENT. "AS SOON AS DAWN COMES AROUND,
EVERYONE RISES."
"AND WHAT DO THE RISEN WORK?"
"OH, ANYTHING THAT THEIR MASTERS TELL THEM TO: ONE GOES OUT TO
PLOW, ANOTHER TO HERD THE SHEEP AND SO ON."
"WHAT KIND OF PERSON ARE YOU}? I'M ASKING YOU IF THERE IS ANY
FIGHTING BY YOU?}"
"WELL, WHILE BEING IN SAULIAI, A MAN DID GET INTO A FIGHT WITH A
JEW, BUT THE AUTHORITIES SEPARATED THEM."
"YOU'RE RATTLING NONSENSE. I WANT TO KNOW ISN'T THERE A WAR AT
YOUR PLACE?"
"THERE IS, THERE IS," ANSWERED VINCENT.
"AH, THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO KNOW} WHERE AND WHO IS FIGHTING."
"MY MASTER'S BARNYARD, THERE IS AN OLD ROOSTER, WHO IS ALWAYS
FOREVER FIGHTING WITH THE TURKEY. I WONDER WHO IS GOING TO DO THE
OTHER IN?" ANSWERED VINCENT.
"I SEE THAT I WON'T BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND YOU." SAID THE GUEST.
"TELL ME, WHAT IS YOUR MASTER PLANNING TO DO?"
"OH, HE'S PLANNING TO GO HOME TOMORROW."
"TELL ME, ARE THE MASTERS AND NOBLEMEN GETTING RUFFLED AGAINST
THE GOVERNMENT?"
"SOMETIMES THEY GET RUFFLED," ANSWERED VINCENT. "MY MASTER,
GOING FOR THE GOVERNMENT, IS COMBING HIS HEAD, BUT RUFFLING HIS HAIR
ESPECIALLY HIS FOREHEAD HAIRS."
"MAY YOU BURN WITH YOUR WAY OF TALKING}" SAID THE ANGERED GUEST.
"THE DAMNED NORTHERNERS: COULDN'T FIND OUT ANYTHING FROM HIM." HAVIN
SAID THAT, HE LEFT.
AFTER THE GUEST LEFT, THE MASTER SOON CAME HOME, AND FINDING THE
DOOR UNLOCKED, SAID:
"WHY DIDN'T YOU LOCK UP, BECAUSE THIS IS THE CITY. SOMEONE
COULD ROB YOU. MAYBE SOMEONE WAS HERE?"
"THERE WAS SOME FAT-CHICK WITH RED HAIR AND DUMPY NOSE,"
ANSWERED VINCENT.
"OH DEAR, PRAY TELL ME WHAT HE ASKED AND WHAT YOU TOLD HIM}"
VINCENT TOLD HIS MASTER ABOUT HIS TALK WITH THE STRANGER. HIS
MASTER, HEARING THIS, TOOK HIM AND HELD HIM TO HIS HEART.
"YOU'RE NOT MY SERVANT, BUT MY SON. DO YOU KNOW, THAT THAT WAS
THIS CITY'S FIRST MAIN THEIF? IF YOU WOULD'VE ANSWERED HIM
DIFFERENTLY, HE WOULD HAVE ROBBED ME AND MANY MORE}"
OUR PEOPLE TELL TOO MUCH TO THE WRONG PEOPLE, ANYTHING THAT COMES
INTO THEIR HEADS. THIS STORY TEACHES US NOT TO OPEN OUR HEARTS FULL
TO ANYONE.

Submitter comment: SAULIAI-- A FARM CITY IN NORTHERN LITHUANIA.
TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN BY RAMUNE STONYS.

Where learned: DISCUSSION

Keyword(s): PRODIGAL SON BIBLE SERVANT GOSSIP FAITHFULNESS

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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NINE BROTHERS

NINE BROTHERS WERE TRAVELING TO A TOWN AND IN THE EVENING THEY
CAME UP TO A FARMHOUSE AND ASKED TO STAY OVER. IN THE MORNING, WHEN
THEY WERE READY TO LEAVE, THE OLD LADY (SUPPOSEDLY A WITCH) TOLD THE
THAT THEY CAN'T GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT HER PERMISSION. WHEN THEY
REVOLTED, SHE TOLD THEM THAT FROM THAT MOMENT ON THEY WILL BE CROWS-
AND THEY WILL REMAIN CROWS TILL SOMEONE OF THEIR FAMILY WILL BREAK
THE SPELL.
IN THE MEANTIME, THEIR SISTER ALL ALONE AT HOME, WAS STARTING
TO WORRY AND SO SHE SET OUT TO LOOK FOR THEM. BUT TO NO AVAIL.
THEN SHE WENT TO A VERY OLD MAN, WHO WAS BELIEVED TO BE THE WISEST
PERSON AROUND. SHE ASKED HIM HOW SHE COULD HELP HER BROTHERS AND HE
TOLD HER THAT SHE WAS TO SPIN THREAD OUT OF FLAX, ENOUGH TO WEAVE A
LONG PIECE OF LINEN. AND FROM THE LINEN, SHE WAS TO SEW A SHIRT FOR
EVERY BROTHER WITH HER OWN HANDS.
SHE SPUN AND WOVE AND SEWED AND WHEN SHE WAS FINISHED, SHE WENT
BACK TO THE OLD MAN. HE TOLD HER THAT SHE WAS TO WALK FOR THREE DAY
TILL SHE CAME TO HIGH MOUNTAINS. AT THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAINS, SHE
WILL FIND A PLACE WHERE THE RULER OF THE WINDS LIVES. SHE WAS TO
STOP OVER AND ASK HIM IF HE SAW HER BROTHERS, NINE CROWS FLYING
AROUND SOMEWHERE.
THE RULER TOLD HER THAT NOT FAR FROM THE PLACE WHERE THEY WERE,
THERE WAS A CAVE WHERE THE NINE CROWS ALWAYS FLY TO AT NIGHT, SPEND
THE NIGHT AND THEN IN THE MORNING FLY OUT AGAIN.
THE SISTER WALKED ALL DAY AND THEN STARTED LOOKING FOR THE CAVE.
SHE LOOKED IN SEVERAL CAVES BUT DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. FINALLY, IN
ONE CAVE SHE SAW THAT THERE WAS A TABLE IN THE CENTER WITH NINE
CHAIRS AROUND IT. AND AROUND THE CAVE AGAINST THE WALLS, THERE WERE
NINE BEDS. AND THE YOUNGER BROTHER'S BED STOOD RIGHT BY THE DOOR.
ON THE TABLE THERE WAS SOME BREAD AND OTHER KINDS OF FOOD FOR EACH
BROTHER. THE SISTER WAS VERY HUNGRY AND FROM EVERY BROTHER'S PIECE
OF BREAD, SHE BROKE OFF A PIECE FOR HERSELF AND HAD A COUPLE OF
SPOONFULS OF SOUP.
SHE WASN'T FINISHED EATING YET WHEN SHE HEARD A GREAT NOISE OF
WING FLAPPING. SHE WAS SO FRIGHTENED, THAT SHE RAN AND HID IN THE
CORNER UNDER ONE OF HER BROTHER'S BEDS.
THE BROTHERS FLEW IN, TURNED INTO HUMANS AND IMMEDIATELY SAT DOWN
TO EAT FOR THEY WERE VERY HUNGRY. THEY ALL WERE SURPRISED WHEN THEY
NOTICED THAT THEIR FOOD WAS TOUCHED. THEY WERE VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT
THAT AND AFTER EATING, THEY FELL ASLEEP.
IN THE MORNING, THEY DRESSED AND AS SOON AS THEY STEPPED OUT OF
THE CAVE, THEY AGAIN TURNED INTO CROWS. AND THEIR SISTER SAW ALL
THIS. THE SISTER IMMEDIATELY SAW THAT THEIR BEDS WEREN'T MADE, THE
CAVE WASN'T SWEPT. SHE SWEPT THE CAVE AND AGAIN ATE SOME OF THEIR
FOOD. SHE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH COURAGE YET TO SHOW HERSELF TO HER
BROTHERS, SO WHEN SHE HEARD THEM FLYING IN, AGAIN SHE HID UNDER A
BED.
THE BROTHERS AGAIN SAW THAT THEIR FOOD WAS TOUCHED, WHILE EATING,
THE YOUNGER BROTHER NOTICED THAT THE CAVE WAS SWEPT, THEIR BEDS WERE
MADE AND THEY COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHO WOULD COME IN TO FIX THEIR
CAVE. AGAIN THEY WENT TO BED DISCUSSING WHO IT COULD BE, BUT NO ONE
MENTIONED IT THAT IT COULD BE THEIR SISTER WHO CAME.
THE THIRD DAY, THE SISTER FIXED UP THEIR CAVE, ATE SOME OF THEIR
FOOD, BUT THIS TIME LEFT A SHIRT ON EACH BROTHER'S MADE BED.
IN THE EVENING, WHEN THE BROTHER'S FLEW IN, THEY NOTICED THAT
THEIR FOOD WAS EATEN, THEIR BEDS WERE MADE AND THEY ALSO NOTICED THE
SHIRTS. THEN THEY WERE HAPPY AND CERTAIN THAT SOMEONE HAS BEEN
ENTERING THEIR CAVE AND THAT MAYBE THEY WERE HIDING IN IT NOW.
THE SISTER WAS LISTENING TO HER BROTHERS AND DECIDED TO CRAWL OUT
FROM UNDER THE BED AND SHOW HERSELF TO THEM. THE BROTHERS WERE VERY
HAPPY, BUT THEY TOLD HER THAT BEING CROWS TILL NINE YEARS WAS LEFT
ONLY A LITTLE TIME, AND NOW THEY WILL HAVE TO BE CROWS FOR ANOTHER
NINE YEARS. BUT SHE TOLD THEM THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE, BECAUSE
SHE BROUGHT THEM SHIRTS THAT WHEN THEY WEAR THE SHIRT OUTSIDE THE
CAVE, THEY WILL REMAIN HUMANS. SO THEY ALL STAYED UP THAT NIGHT
WAITING FOR THE DAWN, TO FIND OUT IF IT WAS TRUE. WHEN DAWN CAME,
THE OLDEST BROTHER STEPPED OUT BUT REMAINED HUMAN. THEN THE REST PU
ON THEIR SHIRTS AND THEY ALL WENT HOME HAPPILY.

Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN BY RAMUNE STONYS WHILE STORY WAS BEING
TOLD.

Where learned: DINNER TABLE

Keyword(s): SUPERSTITION

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THE BEGGAR WHO WAS JESUS

LONG AGO IN ARMENIA A BEGGAR WAS SEEN GOING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE
TRYING TO GET SOME FOOD. WITH MOST OF HIS HOPE GONE, HE CAME TO THE
HOUSE OF AN ARMENIAN PRIEST AND HIS WIFE. THE WOMAN OPENED THE DOOR
AND GAVE THE BEGGAR SOME FRESH BREAD WHICH SHE WAS BAKING AT THE
HEARTH. HE THANKED HER AND ASKED HER FOR ONE MORE FAVOR. THE FAVOR
WAS THAT HE COULD GIVE HER A KISS. SHE OBLIGED. THE BEGGAR WAS
THOUGHT TO BE JESUS. WHEN HER HUSBAND CAME HOME SHE TOLD HIM WHAT
HAPPENED. HE ANSWERED HER, "FOR GOD'S SAKE, WOULD YOU JUMP IN THE
FIRE? SHE ANSWERED YES AND THREW HERSELF INTO THE HEARTH. WITHOUT
HER HE FELT THERE WAS NO REASON TO LIVE AND SO HE THREW HIMSELF INTO
THE FIRE. IT IS SAID AT THIS SPOT A SHRINE HAS BEEN ERECTED AND A
SPRING FLOWS WHICH HEALS THE SICK."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WALSH COLLEGE ; CAMPUS ; TOLD AT

Keyword(s): IRONY GOOD VS. EVIL

Date learned: 03-21-1970

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TRAP METAPHOR

THERE ONCE WAS AN OLD BLACK MAN NAMED UNCLE WILLIE. NOW UNCLE
WILLIE LIVED A FAIRLY HAPPY LIFE ON A FARM DOWN SOUTH. ONE DAY,
HIS MASTER DECIDED TO SELL THE FARM, BUT WILLIE DIDN'T LIKE THAT
IDEA TOO MUCH, HE JUST PLAIN DID NOT WANT TO MOVE. SO WHEN THE
BUYERS CAME TO SEE THE FARM, WILLIE HAD A PLAN. NOW WILLIE KNEW
THESE FOLKS WERE INTELLIGENT, BUT, HE WASN'T NO DUMMY EITHER.
NOW, WHITES BACK IN THEM DAYS, THEY DIDN'T TRUST THE BLACKS
SO WILLIE KNEW THAT THEM BUYER FOLKS WOULD JUST DO THE OPPOSITE
OF WHAT HE SAID. WILLIE'S MASTER TOLD HIM TO TAKE THE FOLKS AROUND
SO HE DID. AFTER HE GOT OUT OF EARSHOT, HE SAID, "NOW, IF YOU
WANT MY OPINION, YOU WON'T BUY THIS FARM 'CAUSE THERE'S GHOSTS
HERE." THEN HE TOOK THEM TO SOME SCARY SPOTS AROUND THE FARM.
"NOW IF YOU WANT MY OPINION," WILLIE SAID, " YOU WON'T BUY THIS
FARM 'CAUSE THE PLACE IS A SHAMBLES, AND THE ORCHARDS ARE DRY."
THEN HE TOOK THEM TO SOME MESSY SPOTS. THEN WILLIE SAID, "NOW IF
YOU WANT MY OPINION, YOU WON'T BUY THIS FARM, 'CAUSE YOU'LL HAVE
TO CHAIN ME HERE 'CAUSE I WANT TO LEAVE POWERFUL BAD." WELL
THE BUYER'S WIFE, NOW SHE BELIEVED HIM AND SAID, "WE BETTER NOT
BUY THIS FARM." BUT THE HUSBAND THOUGHT TO HIMSELF, SOMETHING'S
UP, SO HE DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND BUY THE FARM, AND WHAT'S MORE,
HE MADE A DEAL WITH THE MASTER TO KEEP WILLIE ON THE FARM.
SO, WILLIE, HE GOT TO STAY ON THE FARM, JUST LIKE HE WANTED,
AND HE GOT RID OF HIS NASTY OLD MASTER TO BOOT.

Submitter comment: THE BASIC PRINCIPLE BEHIND TRAP METAPHOR AS BOB EXPLAINED TO ME,
IS THAT "BLACKS DON'T GET MAD, THEY GET EVEN." THIS IS EVIDENT
IN HOW UNCLE WILLIE GOT RID OF HIS OLD MASTER. AS I WAS LISTENING
TO THIS STORY, I WAS AMAZED AT HOW IT CONFORMS TO ALMOST ALL OF
ULRIK'S LAWS FOR FOLKTALES. SOME EXAMPLES ARE: THE LAW OF THREES
WHEN WILLIE GIVES THEM THREE REASONS FOR NOT BUYING THE FARM, ALSO,
THE LAW OF CONCENTRATION ON A LEADING CHARACTER IS CLEARLY
FULFILLED. THE MOST INTERESTING OF THE LAWS MANIFESTED IN THIS ST-
ORY IS THE LAW OF LOGIC. NORMALLY, WE WOULD NOT CONSIDER WILLIE'S
LOGIC USEFUL TO GAIN AN END, YET IN THIS STORY IT IS NOT ONLY
REAL, BUT IT IS FEASIBLE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): OL MASSA AND JOHN STORY

Date learned: 11-26-1980

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THE HOBBY

A TEACHER WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH A YOUNG BOY IN HER
CLASS. SHE FELT THAT HE NEEDED PSYCHIATRIC HELP
BECAUSE HE WAS APPARENTLY A MISFIT AMONG HIS
CLASSMATES. SHE DECIDED TO WORK WITH HIM HERSELF,
AND TRIED DIFFERENT WAYS TO AROUSE HIS INTEREST IN
SOME HOBBY. BUT THIS WAS QUITE A CHALLENGE BECAUSE
HE WASN'T VERY RESPONSIVE TO HER IDEAS.
ONE DAY SHE NOTICED HIM OBSERVING A FLY WITH
CONSIDERABLE FASCINATION. SHE ASKED HIM IF HE THOUGHT
HE MIGHT LIKE TO LOOK INTO THE STUDY OF INSECTS
AND MAKE A PRESENTATION TO THE CLASS IN THREE WEEKS.
THE BOY THOUGHT THAT WAS PRETTY GOOD, SO HE WENT TO
THE LIBRARY TO READ UP ON THE ART OF COLLECTING
INSECTS AS A HOBBY.
AT THE END OF THE FIRST WEEK, THE TEACHER ASKED HIM HOW
HE WAS GETTING ALONG WITH HIS READING AND HIS HOBBY.
HE SAID HE WAS HAVING A VERY HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING
ONE OF THE BOOKS HE HAD TAKEN OUT OF THE LIBRARY.
BUT THE TEACHER ENCOURAGED HIM TO CONTINUE READING
AND SAID HE WOULD PROBABLY FIND IT MORE INTERESTING
AS HE WENT ALONG.
THE SECOND WEEK THE BOY STILL COULDN'T GET IT.
BUT THE TEACHER REMINDED HIM THAT HE STILL HAD A WEEK
BEFORE HE HAD TO PRESENT HIS TALK.
WELL, THE THIRD WEEK AND THE DAY OF THE PRESENTATION
APPROACHED, THE BOY CONFESSED THAT HE STILL HADN'T
FINISHED THE BOOK, SO THE TEACHER TOLD HIM TO BRING
IT IN SO SHE COULD SEE IT.
HE BROUGHT IN THE BOOK AND THE TEACHER READ THE
TITLE: ADVICE FOR EXPECTANT MOTH-ERS.

Submitter comment: MY SISTER TOLD US THIS STORY WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I
HAD DINNER AT MY PARENTS' HOME IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN,
SHE HAD HEARD IT FROM SISTER MARTIN, OF THE UNIVERSITY
OF DETROIT FACULTY, ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE--ABOUT
APRIL 1.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

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AN INTERESTING HOBBY

A LITTLE BOY KEPT ASKING HIS MOTHER WHAT HE COULD (DO)
FOR A HOBBY. WELL, HIS MOTHER THOUGHT HE MIGHT FIND
BUTTERFLY COLLECTING INTERESTING. SHE SENT HIM TO
THE LIBRARY TO READ UP ON THE HOBBY, AND TOLD HIM TO
BRING HOME A BOOK THAT HE THOUGHT WOULD HELP HIM.
THE LITTLE BOY THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA AND
HE WENT OFF TO THE LIBRARY.
A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER, HE CAME HOME CRYING FOR ALL
HE WAS WORTH. HIS MOTHER ASKED HIM WHAT THE MATTER
WAS AND HE SAID THAT THE LADY AT THE DESK AT THE
LIBRARY TOLD HIM HE WAS TOO YOUNG TO TAKE OUT THE
BOOK HE WANTED. "WELL, WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE
BOOK?" HIS MOTHER ASKED. "ADVICE TO AN EXPECTANT
MOTH-ER," SAID THE LITTLE BOY.

Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS STORY FROM MAC MCLAIN WITH WHOM I WORKED
FOR 2-1/2 YEARS AT FORD MOTOR. MAC WAS THE CLEVER,
QUICK-WITTED TALKER IN THE OFFICE. I ONLY WISH I
REMEMBERED MORE OF HIS ANECDOTES AND STORIES.

Where learned: FORD MOTOR CO

Date learned: 05-17-1965

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THERE'S AN ABANDONED HOUSE IN SALYERSVILLE, KENTUCKY
THAT GIVES OFF A WEIRD AND STRANGE "OOOOOOOOOOOO" WHENEVER
THERE'S A FULL MOON. SOME FOLKS SAY THAT THERE'S A GHOST
OR SOMETHING IN THERE BECAUSE THE OLD LADY THAT LIVED
THERE DIED OF POISON ON A NIGHT OF THE FULL MOON. I
DON'T BELIEVE OF SUCH THINGS, THOUGH. IT'S PROBABLY
JUST A BUNCH OF FOLK TALES.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT WAS FORMERLY FROM SALYERSVILLE.

Where learned: KENTUCKY ; SALYERSVILLE

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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MRS. MURPHY'S CHAPEL

ON HUBBLE AND FLORENCE THERE'S AN OLD HOUSE ABOUT 100
YEARS OLD. WHEN MARTHA MOVED INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THE
NEIGHBORS TOLD HER IT WAS BUILT INTO A CHAPEL BECAUSE
ONE DAY WHILE MRS. MURPHY WAS HANGING HER CLOTHES OUT
SHE HAD A VISION. FOR THIS REASON, HER SON HAD THE
CHAPEL BUILT.

Submitter comment: THIS STORY GOES AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN
SOMEONE NEW MOVES IN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-24-1967

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IRISH FOLK TALE

ONE EVENING A MOTHER AND HER CHILDREN WERE COMING HOME
FROM THE STORE. THEY WERE ALMOST HOME WHEN THEY SAW
A NEIGHBOR'S CHILD RUN ACROSS THE STREET. THIS
FRIGHTENED THEM BECAUSE THE CHILD WAS VERY YOUNG--TOO
YOUNG TO BE WALKING AND TOO YOUNG TO BE OUT SO LATE
AT NIGHT. ON ARRIVING HOME, THEY HEARD FROM ONE OF
THE MEN OF THE VILLAGE THAT THIS PARTICULAR CHILD
THAT THEY HAD SEEN RUNNING ACROSS THE ROAD HAD DIED
AT THE EXACT TIME THAT THEY HAD SEEN HIM IN THE ROAD.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS TALE JUST A SHORT TIME AGO
FROM A GIRL AT WORK, AN IRISH GIRL WHO HAS JUST
BECOME A NATURALIZED CITIZEN. THE GIRL SAYS THE
STORY IS TRUE. SHE HEARD IT FROM A JOHN ROARTY OF
LETTERHENNY, IRELAND, COUNTY DONIGAL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION

Date learned: 01-10-1964

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JUMP STORY

PICTURE YOURSELF RIDING ON A TRAIN AT NIGHT.
I'M JUST ANOTHER PASSENGER SITTING NEXT TO YOU,
NEAR THE WINDOW. AS YOU GLANCE OUT THE WINDOW YOU
CAN'T HELP BUT NOTICE AN UNUSUAL PIN ON MY LAPEL.
I SEE YOU STARING AT IT AND I SAY, "I SEE YOU'RE
WONDERING ABOUT MY PIN. THE GOLD CRESENT MOON
REPRESENTS A FRATERNITY I WAS IN AND THE SEVEN
STARS SIGNIFY THE ORIGINAL FOUNDING GROUP. I WAS
ONE OF THE SEVEN...THERE'S A STORY TO THE PIN, I
WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU...NO, PLEASE, I FEEL I
MUST TELL SOMEONE........ OUR SMALL GROUP WAS
HAVING TROUBLE COMPETING WITH THE LARGER
FRATERNITIES ON CAMPUS FOR NEW MEMBERS. WE
FINALLY DECIDED THAT WE COULD DRAW INTEREST
TO OUR GROUP BY HAVING AN UNUSUAL INITIATION.
IT DIDN'T TAKE US LONG TO FIGURE OUT SOMETHING
TRULY DIFERENT, AND THEN WE LET WORD GET OUT
ABOUT IT. THE INITIAL RESPONSE WAS JUST TWO
APPLICANTS. THE SEVEN OF US WERE SOMEWHAT
DISAPPOINTED, BUT WE KNEW THAT IF THESE TWO
PASSED THE INITIATION AND WERE ACCEPTED INTO
OUR FRATERNITY, THEY WOULD DRAW MANY MORE
BECAUSE THEY REPRESENTED TWO LARGE INTEREST
GROUPS ON CAMPUS. THE FIRST ONE, I'LL CALL HIM
JIM, WAS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR FOOTBALL PLAYERS
THAT YEAR, A BIG, HUSKY BRUTE, NOT TOO SMART, BUT
REALLY QUITE FRIENDLY. THE OTHER, HAROLD, WAS ONE
OF THE CAMPUS "BRAINS" ONE OF THOSE PERSONABLE
BOOK-WORMS THAT LEADS THE INTELLECTUAL CROWD.
ANYWAY, WE TOLD THE TWO OF THEM THAT THEY WERE
ACCEPTED FOR INITIATION IF THEY WOULD FOLLOW OUR
INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY. THE EVENING OF INITIATION,
WE TOOK THEM OUT ON AN OLD COUNTRY ROAD TO WHAT
WAS REPUTED TO BE THE AREA'S SCARIEST HAUNTED
HOUSE. IT WAS AN OLD DESERTED MANSION UP ON A
HILL. AND THE BARREN TREES AROUND IT BROKE THE
CHILL MOONLIGHT INTO EERIE DESIGNS. WE GAVE
EACH FELLOW A SMALL HATCHET AND A CANDLE WHICH
WOULD BURN FOR ONLY TEN MINUTES. WE THEN TOLD
THEM THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ENTER THE OLD HAUNTED
HOUSE SEPARATELY AND REMAIN INSIDE FOR TWENTY MINUTES.
JIM, OUR HUSKY ATHLETE, WAS DELEGATED TO GO FIRST.
WE LIT HIS CANDLE AND HE WALKED OFF TO THE HOUSE,
APPARENTLY RATHER CONFIDENT, AS IF MUCH WASN'T
BEING ASKED OF HIM. WE WAITED. TEN MINUTES WENT
BY--WE KNEW THAT HIS CANDLE WAS OUT BY NOW. ANOTHER
TEN MINUTES, AND WE WAITED FOR HIM TO COME OUT. BUT
NO SOUND CAME FROM THE HOUSE. WE WAITED A FEW MORE
MINUTES, AND THEN SENT A COUPLE OF FELLOWS AROUND
THE BACK TO SEE IF HE HAD GONE OUT THAT WAY. THEY
CAME BACK AND TOLD US THAT THE WINDOWS AND DOORS
WERE ALL BOARDED UP, APPARENTLY HE WAS STILL IN
THE HOUSE AND HAD MISUNDERSTOOD OUR INSTRUCTIONS.
WE TURNED TO HAROLD, WHO WAS RATHER NERVOUS BY
THIS TIME, LIT HIS CANDLE AND TOLD HIM TO SEND JIM
OUT WHEN HE GOT INSIDE. HE ENTERED THE HOUSE AND WE
WAITED A FEW MINUTES. NO ONE CAME OUT. TWENTY MINUTES
LATER, HAROLD'S TIME WAS UP AND YET NO ONE CAME
OUT OF THE HOUSE! WE ALL DECIDED TO GO IN AND FIND
OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. WITH OUR FLASHLIGHTS IT WAS
EASY TO FOLLOW THEIR FOOTSTEPS THROUGH THE DUST ON
THE FLOORS. BOTH SETS LED TO A LARGE STAIRCASE.
OBVIOUSLY HAROLD HAD FOLLOWED JIM'S WHEN HE HAD GONE
IN. UPSTAIRS, WE FOLLOWED THE PRINTS TO A SMALL DOOR
SET IN THE CORNER IN ONE WING. THERE WERE NO TRACKS
COMING OUT OF THE ROOM. WE TRIED OPENING THE DOOR
BUT IT SEEMED JAMMED. FINALLY, IT CREAKED OPEN.
INSIDE....OH! IT WAS TERRIBLE!! LATER, WE WERE ABLE
TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. APPARENTLY, JIM
HAD REACHED THE SMALL ROOM JUST BEFORE HIS CANDLE
HAD GONE OUT. THEN, WHEN THE DOOR JAMMED, HIS MIND
SNAPPED. WHEN HAROLD GOT TO THE ROOM BY FOLLOWING
JIM'S FOOTSTEPS, HE PRIED OPEN THE DOOR, AND THEN
WAS HORRIBLY ATTACKED AND...AND...CHOPPED UP BY
THE MADDENED JIM. JIM WAS IN A STATE OF SHOCK
WHEN WE FOUND HIM. HE HAD TO BE COMMITTED TO AN
ASYLUM. IT NATURALLY WAS THE END OF OUR FRATERNITY.
OUR SHAME AND GUILT WERE SO DEEP FELT THAT THE SEVEN
OF US MADE A VOW THAT EACH YEAR ONE OF US WOULD
RETURN TO THIS TERRIBLE SCENE TO REMIND US OF OUR
FOLLY. THAT WAS SEVEN YEARS AGO. EACH YEAR ONE OF
US HAS GONE BACK, BUT...BUT EACH YEAR THE ONE WHO
HAS GONE BACK NEVER RETURNS! I'M THE LAST ONE...I'VE
GONE BACK, I VISITED THE OLD HOUSE AND READ THE SMALL
MEMORIAL WE PLACED THERE TELLING OF THAT NIGHT. I'M
THE LAST ONE. I'VE GONE BACK...AND NOTHING'S HAPPENED
TO ME YET...YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

Submitter comment: AT THIS POINT THE TELLER SCREAMS AND MAKES A
SUDDEN LURCH FOR THE PERSON SITTING NEXT TO HIM. HEARD IN DETROIT,
MICHIGAN IN 1962.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1962

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THE SARACENS ARE THWARTED

WE USED TO LIVE NEAR IL MONTE (THE MOUNTAIN) IN
SICILY. IT WAS THE ONLY ONE AROUND AND YOU COULD SEE
IT FOR MILES. A LONG TIME AGO, THE SARACENS TRIED TO
CAPTURE IL MONTE, BUT THERE WERE THICK WALLS, SO THEY
COULDN'T GET IN. WELL, THEY DECIDED TO STARVE THE
PEOPLE OUT. THEN THE PRIEST ASKED ALL THE NURSING
MOTHERS TO GIVE THEIR MILK. THE PEOPLE MADE A BIG
LOAF OF BREAD, A PIECE OF CHEESE, AND STUCK THEM ON
POLES NEAR THE WALLS. THE SARACENS THOUGHT, "THESE
PEOPLE HAVE PLENTY OF GOOD." SO THEY WENT AWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

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A SUNBATHER'S NIGHMARE

THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A YOUNG WOMAN WHO WAS TAKING
A SUNBATH, WHEN AN ANT CRAWLED UP HER NOSE. WHILE SHE
WAS DOZING, THE ANT LAID EGGS IN THE GIRL'S SINUS
CAVITY. THE GIRL BECAME VERY AGITATED THE NEXT FEW
DAYS BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHY. FINALLY, THE ITCHING DROVE
HER OUT OF HER MIND AND WITH HER FINGERNAILS SHE
RIPPED THE SKIN OFF HER NOSE AND FOREHEAD.
HUNDREDS OF ANTS FELL OUT AND SHE WENT INSANE.

Submitter comment: ONE SUMMER THERE WAS A STORY GOING AROUND IN MY
COMMUNITY ABOUT THE TERRIBLE THING WHICH HAD
HAPPENED TO A SUN BATHER THE PREVIOUS SUMMER. ST.
CLAIR SHORES IS SITUATED ON THE BANKS OF LAKE ST.
CLAIR, AND MANY OF THE RESIDENTS SWIM AT SEVERAL
OF THE BEACHES IT OFFERS. HOWEVER, IT WAS NEVER
MADE CLEAR WHETHER THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IN ST.
CLAIR SHORES OR ELSEWHERE.
ORIGINAL SOURCE FORGOTTEN

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Date learned: 00-00-1961

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