The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TUC SOK TONI: TONY THE CRICKET

THERE ONCE WAS A CRICKET WHO HAD A MAGIC VIOLIN. WHEN HE PLAYED
IT, MIRACLES WOULD HAPPEN. BABIES WOULD STOP CRYING, CHILDREN
WOULD STOP FIGHTING AND EVERYONE WOULD BE HAPPY AND FORGET THEIR
CARES.
THE CRICKET WAS POOR IN MONEY, BUT RICH IN HAPPINESS UNTIL ONE DAY
THE FAIRY KING HEARD HIM PLAYING AND HE WAS SO DELIGHTED WITH THE
PLAYING THAT HE ORDERED THE CRICKET TO BE BROUGHT TO HIM. WHEN THE
CRICKET CAME BEFORE THE KING, HE ORDERED HIM TO BECOME THE COURT
MUSICIAN. AND SO THE CRICKET BEGAN TO PLAY. BUT NOW HE NO LONGER
PLAYED TO MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY, HE PLAYED FOR MONEY. PEOPLE FROM
ALL OVER THE WORLD WERE COMING TO THE PALACE TO HEAR HIM PLAY.
AND WITH THEM THEY BROUGHT MUCH GOLD TO GIVE TO THE CRICKET.
BUT AS TIME WENT ON THE MAGIC VIOLIN DID NOT WANT TO PLAY FOR
THESE PEOPLE. INSTEAD OF BEAUTIFUL MUSIC IT GAVE OUT TEARS WHEN
IT WAS PLAYED. THE KING NO LONGER HEARD THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC, HE
TOOK THE VIOLIN AND SMASHED IT AND EXILED THE CRICKET FROM THE
PALACE.
THE CRICKET'S FAMILY TOOK HIM BACK, HAPPY TO HAVE HIM RETURN HOME
BUT THE CRICKET WAS SAD BECAUSE HE FELT HE WOULD NEVER PLAY A
VIOLIN AGAIN. HIS FAMILY BOUGHT HIM A NEW VIOLIN BUT HE WOULD
NOT PLAY IT BUT INSTEAD HE WENT OUT INTO THE FOREST AND CARVED HIS
OWN AS HE HAD DONE WITH THE FIRST VIOLIN. HE STARTED TO PLAY AND
IT SOUNDED WONDERFUL. HIS FAMILY AND GIRLFRIEND, ON HEARING HIM
PLAY, RAN OUT TO SEE HIM. HE COULD PLAY AGAIN BUT COULD HE WORK
MIRACLES FOR PEOPLE WITH HIS MUSIC? NOT FAR OFF IN THE WOODS HE
HEARD A BABY SCREAMING AND CRYING. NOTHING THE MOTHER COULD DO
WOULD CALM THE CHILD. HE CREPT CLOSE TO THE MOTHER AND CHILD AND
BEGAN TO PLAY HIS VIOLIN. IN NO TIME THE BABY BEGAN TO LAUGH AND
SMILE AND THE CRICKET KNEW THAT HE HAD REGAINED HIS POWER. "NEVER
AGAIN" SAID THE CRICKET, "WILL I PLAY FOR MONEY. I WILL PLAY TO
BRING HAPPINESS TO ALL."
THAT EVENING A GREAT CELEBRATION WAS HELD IN THE FOREST, FOR THE
CRICKET AND HIS GIRLFRIEND WERE MARRIED AND AS THE SAYING GOES
"BIZONY, MA IS ELNEK, HA MEG MEG NEM HALTAK" OR THEY ARE STILL
LIVING HAPPILY IF THEY HAVEN'T DIED YET. VEGE--THE END.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS HUNGARIAN AND HER FAMILY HAS TOLD HER THE STORY
EVER SINCE SHE WAS BORN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 03-31-1971

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THE FOX AND THE RABBIT

THE FOX AND THE RABBIT HAD A FARM TOGETHER. ONE YEAR THE RABBIT
TOLD THE FOX THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO DIVIDE THE LAND UP THIS YEAR.
THE RABBIT SAID: THIS TIME YOU WILL TAKE WHAT IS ON TOP OF THE
GROUND, AND WHAT'S UNDER THE GROUND BELONGS TO ME.
SO THAT YEAR THEY PLANTED SWEET POTATOES; SO THE RABBIT GOT ALL
THE SWEET POTATOES AND THE FOX GOT THE VINES.
SO THE NEXT YEAR: THE FOX SAID WE ARE GOING TO CHANGE THIS YEAR,
SO THEY PLANTED CORN, BUT, THE RABBIT STILL GOT WHAT WAS ON TOP
OF THE GROUND AND THE FOX GOT NOTHING. SO THE FOX GOT TIRED OF
THIS, SO HE WENT DOWN AND GOT HIM SOME FISH, AND HE CAME BACK
AND SAID: BROTHER RABBIT! (RABBIT HAD FOOLED HIM SO MUCH THAT
HE THOUGHT HE WOULD FOOL THE RABBIT. SO HE WENT DOWN BY THE
CREEK AND SAT ON THE SIDE OF THE BANK, HE BROUGHT A BUNCH OF FISH
BACK WITH HIM. THE RABBIT WANTED TO KNOW WHERE HE GOT THEM FROM.
HE SAID:) OH I FISHED LAST NIGHT. THE RABBIT ASKED: HOW DID
YOU CATCH THEM? HE SAID: I SAT ON A LOG DOWN THERE AND PUT MY
TAIL IN THE WATER. SO THE OLD RABBIT THOUGHT, HMM, HE WOULD GO
DOWN AND PUT HIS TAIL IN THE WATER AND CATCH HIM A BUNCH OF
FISH. SO HE WAS SITTING DOWN ON A LOG, GOT HIS TAIL THROWN UP
AND HE HOLLERED. HE HAD SO MANY FISH HE COULDN'T HARDLY MOVE, HE THOUGHT. SO HE HOLLERED FOR THE OLD OWL TO COME AND GIVE HIM A PULL: HE PULLED ON ONE END, AND HE PULLED ON THE OTHER, HE FINALLY BROKE HIS TAIL. HE HAD NO FISH AT ALL. THE FOX LAUGHED AT HIM AND SAID: I TOLD YOU I WOULD GET EVEN WITH YOU.

Data entry tech comment:

Folklore item collected on more than one card. Entered last part of story in database, based on card I had. Other cards not yet found/compared.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

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FINNISH TALE: THE NAMES OF THREE TREES

ONCE UPON A TIME, THE WOLF, THE FOX AND THE HARE MADE A BET ABOUT
WHICH OF THEM COULD SAY FASTEST THE NAMES OF THREE TREES. THE
WOLF SAID, "PINE, FIR, WHITE PINE." THE FOX SAID, "WILLOW, GREAT
SALLOW, JUNIPER." BUT THE HARE SAID, "ALDER, FIR, BIRCH" AND WON
THE BET.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; FINLAND

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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FINNISH TALE: I REALLY DIDN'T WANT IT

IN THE SPRING THE FOX WAITED FOR THE TAIL OF THE COLT TO FALL OFF,
THE COLT WAS LAYING ON THE SAND AND THE TAIL WAS STRONG AT ITS
BASE AND FINE IN ITS TIP, AS IT IS WITH A COLT IN THE SPRING.
ALL DAY ONG THE FOX FOLLOWED THE COLT AND LAYED DOWN HIS PAWS
AND WAITED TILL THE TALE WOULD FALL OFF. THE FOX WAS VERY HUNGRY
AND THE OTHER FOXES WERE TEASING HIM: "YOU WILL HARDLY GET IT."
FINALLY IN THE EVENING, THE COLT LEFT FOR HOME AND TOOK HIS TAIL
WITH HIM. THE OTHER FOXES HECKLED THE FOX. "YOU DIDN'T GET IT."
THE FOX SAID, "I REALLY, DIDN'T WANT IT AFTER ALL."

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; FINLAND

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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FINNISH TALE: THE FOX AND THE CROWFISH

ONCE UPON A TIME A FOX AND A CROWFISH WERE ON THE SHORE OF A
LAKE. THE FOX WAS WATCHING HOW THE CROWFISH WENT SLOWLY BACKWARDS
TO THE SEA. SO THE FOX LAUGHED AT THE CROWFISH AND SAID, "OH,
POOR YOU WHO HAVE TO WALK SO SLOWLY." BY THE SHORE THERE WAS A
SMALL HILL AND THE CROWFISH PROMISED TO BE AT THE TOP OF THE HILL
BEFORE THE FOX. THE FOX SAID, "YOU WANT TO BET?" SO THEY BET
AND SET THEMSELVES SIDE BY SIDE. THE CROWFISH SAID, "BY THE TIP
OF THE TAIL," AND SAID, "EVEN THOUGH I AM THIS FAR BEHIND YOU, I
WILL BEAT YOU." "WE'LL SEE," SAID THE FOX.
THE CROWFISH COUNTED ONE, TWO, THREE. THE FOX STARTED FAST. AT
THE MOMENT WHEN THE FOX STARTED, THE CROWFISH GRASPED THE TAIL OF
THE FOX. AND WHEN THE FOX WAS AT THE TOP OF THE HILL, HE TURNED
AROUND, THE CROWFISH LET GO AND APPEARED TO HAVE GONE FURTHER
THAN THE FOX AND SHOUTED TO THE FOX, "HERE I AM, WHAT ARE YOU
LOOKING THERE FOR. I'VE ALREADY BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE WAITING
FOR YOU." SO THE CROWFISH WON HIS BET AND THE FOX WAS ASHAMED
FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; FINLAND

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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THE SLY FOX

A SICK LION WHO HAD NOT EATEN FOR A LONG TIME ACQUIRED A BAD
BREATH. IN THE FOREST HE MET AN ASS. "DOES MY BREATH SMELL
BADLY?" HE ASKED HIM. "IT DOES," REPLIED THE SIMPLE-MINDED ASS.
"HOW DARE A COMMON CREATURE LIKE YOU INSULT ME, THE KING OF THE
BEASTS!" ROARED THE LION, AND IMMEDIATELY DEVOURED THE ASS. A
WHILE LATER HE MET A BEAR. "DOES MY BREATH SMELL BADLY?" THE
LION ASKED HIM. "OH NO!" EXCLAIMED THE BEAR. "YOUR BREATH IS
SWEETER THAN HONEY." "FLATTERER!" ROARED THE LION. "HOW DARE
YOU DECEIVE ME?" AND HE DEVOURED THE BEAR, TOO. AT LAST HE MET
A FOX. "SMELL ME, MY FRIEND," ASKED THE LION, "AND TELL ME
WHETHER MY BREATH IS SWEET." NOW THE SLY FOX SAW THE PITFALL
AND WAS WARY. "PARDON ME, O KING OF THE FOREST," SAID THE FOX
MOST POLITELY, "FOR I CANNOT SMELL AT ALL! I HAVE A BAD COLD."

Submitter comment: ORIGIN: INFORMANT'S MOTHER, REBECCA, WHO KNEW THE STORY AS A
CHILD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

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TINY TOM

TINY TOM WAS SENT TO A CHILDLESS COUPLE WHO LIVED IN A SMALL TOWN
IN ITALY. THE CHILD WAS SENT BECAUSE THE MAMA PRAYED TO THE
VIRGIN FOR A CHILD. HE CAME IN A PEA POD.
TOM NEVER GREW BIGGER THAN A THUMBNAIL, EVEN AFTER HE WAS SEVEN
YEARS OLD. ONE DAY HIS MAMA WAS BAKING AND TOM WAS SITTING ON
THE WINDOW SILL. HIS FATHER'S COW WAS SITTING OUTSIDE THE WINDOW.
HIS MAMA SNEEZED AND BLEW TOM OUT THE WINDOW AND HE FELL ON THE
COW'S TONGUE. TINY TOM SLIPPED DOWN THE TONGUE AND INTO THE COW'S
STOMACH.
IT WAS DARK INSIDE AND TOM WAS FRIGHTENED. HE CALLED OUT TO HIS
MAMA BUT SHE DID NOT HEAR HIM. WHEN HIS PAPA CAME HOME FOR DINNER
FROM THE FIELDS, TOM'S MAMA DISCOVERED THAT TOM WAS NOWHERE TO BE
FOUND. THEY FRANTICALLY SEARCHED EVERYWHERE, BUT TOM COULD NOT BE
FOUND ANYWHERE.
FOR TWO DAYS TOM'S PAPA AND MAMA LOOKED EVERYWHERE. THEY WERE
JUST TOO WORRIED OVER TOM TO WORK. THEY HAD NOT EVEN MILKED THEIR
COW WHO GROANED IN PAIN. BUT AFTER THAT MUCH TIME, PAPA AND MAMA
WERE READY TO GIVE UP.
THE COW KEPT MAKING SO MUCH NOISE THAT MAMA REALIZED SHE HAD NOT
BEEN MILKED. SO PAPA MILKED THE COW. WHILE HE WAS MILKING THE
COW, PAPA HEARD, "HELP! MAMA, PAPA! HELP!"
PAPA, HEARING THIS, LOOKED DOWN AND BY GOLLY, THERE WAS TOM
FLOATING ON A LEAF THAT HAD FALLEN INTO THE BUCKET OF MILK.
TOM'S PAPA SWOOPED HIM UP AND CARRIED HIM LOVINGLY TO THE HOUSE.
WHEN MAMA SAW TOM, SHE ALMOST CRIED.
ALL THREE HAD A PARTY THAT NIGHT AND FROM THEN ON, WHENEVER TOM
SAT ON THE WINDOW SILL, HIS MAMA TIED A THREAD AROUND HIM AND
ANCHORED HIM DOWN SO THAT IF HE FELL HE COULD CLIMB BACK UP THE
THREAD. FROM THEN ON TINY TOM, HIS MAMA, AND PAPA LIVED HAPPILY
EVER AFTER.

Submitter comment: HE HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER AND SHE LEARNED THE STORY FROM
ITALY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

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TALKING PET

A MAN WHO WANTED A PET PARROT SAW A SIGN SAYING "BANKRUPTCY SALE"
IN THE WINDOW OF A PET SHOP. HE WENT INSIDE AND BEGAN BIDDING FOR
A BEAUTIFUL PARROT HE SAW. HE BID HIGHER AND HIGHER UNTIL THE BIRD
WAS FINALLY HIS. HE THEN ASKED THE AUCTIONEER IF THE BIRD COULD
TALK. "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK WAS BIDDING AGAINST YOU ALL THE
TIME?" SAID THE PARROT.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname.

Where learned: MARYLAND ; BALTIMORE

Date learned: 00-00-1972

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BRE RABBIT

WELL, I'LL TELL YOU THE STORY ABOUT BRE RABBIT. BRE RABBIT, BRE
FOX AND THEIR AH..WELL ALL THE ANIMALS IN THE FOREST HAD GOTTEN
TOGETHER AND THEY HAD FOUND A WHOLD CROCK OF MILK, AND EVERYBODY
WANTED A BIG SHARE. WE WE A GONA DIVIDED THIS, THIS, THIS, MILK
UP EQUALLY AMONG EACH OTHER. AND NO ONE WELL TAKE MORE THAN THE
OTHERS GOT. WE ALL GONA GET A FAIR SHARE OF THIS MILK. SO AH..
HE SAY EVERTHING..WE AINT GOT TIME TO DIVIDE THIS THIS MILK UP NOW
BECAUSE IT'S COMING IT'S GETTING NIGHT. NOW WE'LL DIVIDE THIS MILK
UP IN THE MORNING. AND NO ONE SHALL DRINK A DROP OF THIS MILK.
SO EVERYBODY AGREED AND THEY ALL WENT AND THEY LAID DOWN. AND AH.
EVERYBODY AGREED AND THEY ALL WENT AND THEY LAID DOWN. AND AH..
EVERYBODY FELL A SHOUND ASLEEP. WELL BRE RABBIT HE GOT HUNGRY
THAT NIGHT. HE GOT UP AND HE SNEAKED OVER TO THE CROCK OF MILK.
HE DRINK ABOUT ...TWO THIRDS OF THAT MILK... HE WENT ON BACK TO
ASLEEP. WHEN MORNING CAME, EVERYBODY GOT UP..BRE FOX SWISHED OVER
THERE AND LOOKED AT THE CROCK. AND CRIED OH MY GOODNESS SOMEONE
STOLLED TWO THIRDS OF THE MILK. NOW ONE OF US HAD TO DO IT. SO..
I'M GONA FIND OUT WHICH ONE IT US WAS. NOW WHAT WE'RE GONA DO.
WE GONA BUILD US A BIG BARN FIRE...AND WE'RE GONA LAY DOWN BESIDE
IT. AND WE KNOW THAT THAT MILK GONA RUN, CAUSE THAT HEAT. SO WE
ALL WE WENT AND GATHER WOOD AND BUILT A BIG BARN FIRE. AND THE
HEAT GOT REAL HOT.. AND THIS BIG OLE HEATING FLAMES LEAPIN UP IN THE
AIR. AND EVERYBODY SAY, ALL RIGHT NOW WE AL GONA LAY BESIDE THE
FIRE. NO BODY MOVES. I'M GONA, WE GONA CHAIN EACH OTHER TO THE
SPOT. AND THEY ALL LAYING THERE...WELL BRE RABBIT HE KNEW THAT
IF HE HE KNOWS THAT IN THE MORNING ITS GONA BE HIS TURN TO GET IT.
SO HE CRAWLED OVER THERE BESIDE BRE BEAR, TO ...AND DID HIS THING.
AND WENT ON BACK OVER TO HIS SPOT AND WENT TO SLEEP.. SO IN THE
MORNING WHEN..EVERYBODY WOKE UP THEY LOOKED AROUND AND
LOOKED OVER THERE BY BRE BEAR. AND THEN THEY SAW WHAT HE DONE DONE.
AND ALL JUMPED ON BRE BEAR AND TRIED TO BEAT HIM TO DEATH.. AND
THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS.. YOU MIGHT STEAL MILK AND GET AWAY
WITH IT..BUT YOU'LL FIND A BEAR IN THE WOODS...

James Callow comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED WHEN NOT AFFECTING PRONOUNCIATION ; K2155 (SUPPOSED) EVIDENCE OF CRIME LEFT SO DUPE IS BLAMED

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): IS "DID HIS THING" A ; THEFT OF MILK (COMPARE THEFT OF BUTTER)

Date learned: 10-00-1974

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LITTLE BLACK SAMBO

ONE DAY A LONG WAY FROM HERE AND NOT YET OVER THERE, PEOPLE KNEW OF
A BOY NAMED SAMBO. NOW SAMBO WAS A LITTLE AND DARK ONE, SO THE
PEOPLE CALLED HIM LITTLE BLACK SAMBO. ONE DAY SAMBO'S MOTHER AND
FATHER WENT AWAY LEAVING SAMBO WITH NOTHING BUT A BREAD CRUST TO EAT
AND NO CLOTHING BUT HIS SUNDAY BEST; A NEW YELLOW COAT AND MATCHING
CAP, A BRIGHT RED SHIRT THAT ONLY HAD BEEN WORN BY A HANGER AND A
PAIR OF SHINEY SHOES. SAMBO WAS A LITTLE FELLA BUT HE WAS ALIVE AND
HAD TO EAT TOO, TO KEEP THE LITTLE WEIGHT HE HAD - PUT. SO SAMBO HAD
TO DIVIDE THAT LITTLE BIT OF BREAD FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER
FOR TWO DAYS. "NOW I GOTTA DO SOMETHIN' 'BOUT MY EATIN' SITUATION",
SAMBO SAID ON THE THIRD DAY, HOLDING HIS BELLY, BUT ALL I GOT IS MY
NEW CLOTHES, NOBODY CAN WEAR 'EM BUT ME, NO HOW." SO SAMBO STARTED
OUT TO FIND A WAY TO FIND SOME FOOD. HE HAD TO CROSS THE RIVER THAT
WAS TOO DEEP TO CROSS, THE MOUNTAIN THAT WAS TOO HIGH TO CLIMB, THE
JUNGLE THAT WAS TOO THICK TO BREATHE IN AND THEN THE TOWN WHERE ALL
THE SHOPS WERE. LITTLE BLACK SAMBO CAME TO THE RIVER AND SWAM ACROSS,
STOPPING BUT ONCE TO ASK AN OLD FISHERMAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIVER,
"WOULD YOU GIVE SOME BREAD? MY MAMA AND PAPA WENT AWAY AND LEFT ME
NOTHING BUT MY OWN AND MY NEW CLOTHES." THE FISHERMAN SAID, "SORRY
LITTLE BLACK SAMBO, I'M HERE WITH NOTHING BUT MY OWN AND A FISHING
HOOK OR TWO BUT IF YOU GIVE ME THOSE SHINEY SHOES, MAYBE I CAN HELP
YOU. SO THE FISHERMAN GAVE LITTLE BLACK SAMBO A LINE AND A HOOK SO
THAT SAMBO COULD CATCH HIS OWN FOOD. AFTER WAITING TEN MINUTES SAMBO
DECIDED, "FISHING WAS TOO SLOW, I'L FIND SOME FOOD IN THE MOUNTAINS
I HOPE." SO HE STARTED FOR THE MOUNTAINS, BIDDING THE FISHERMAN WELL
AND LEAVING BEHIND HIS SHINEY SHOES. AS LITTLE BLACK SAMBO CAME TO
THE FOOT OF THE MOUNTAIN HE MET A MOOSE. "MR. MOOSE WILL YOU HELP ME
GET SOMETHING TO EAT, PLEASE? MY MAMA AND PAPA WENT AWAY AND DIDN'T
LEAVE ME NOTHING BUT MYSELF AND MY NEW CLOTHES," LITTLE BLACK SAMBO
SAID TO THE MOOSE. "GIVE ME THAT PRETTY YELLOW CAP AND I'LL SHOW
YOU HOW TO GET FOOD FOR YOURSELF," THE MOOSE SAID TO LITTLE BLACK
SAMBO. "OKAY, THAT SOUNDS FAIR ENOUGH, ALTHOUGH I WANT MY YELLOW
CAP," SAMBO SAID. WELL THE MOOSE STARTED WALKING AWAY WHEN SAMBO
SAID "BUT I DO WANT TO EAT TOO, OKAY."" "WELL, DO YOU LIKE BUSHES AND
TREE LEAVES", THE MOOSE ASKED LITTLE BLACK SAMBO. THE TRUTH MR
MOOSE IS I HAIN'T NEVER TRIED NO TREES AND LEAVES FOR SUPPA, BUT I
GOT NOTHING ELSE TO EAT. I'LL TRY EM:," LITTLE BLACK SAMBO SAID TO
THE MOOSE. LITTLE BLACK SAMBO FOLLOWED BEHIND THE MOOSE, PICKING OVER
THE BUSHES AND TREE LEAVES LIKE THE MOOSE UNTIL HE SAID, "THESE
TREES AND LEAVES FOR SUPPA AIN'T GONNA GET IT, MR. MOOSE" AND
CONTINUED TO THE JUNGLE WITHOUT ANYTHING IN HIS STOMACH AND WITHOUT
HIS LITTLE YELLOW CAP, SHINEY SHOES AND STILL NO MEANS OF FOOD. AS
LITTLE BLACK SAMBO CAME TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN THAT NOBODY COULD
CLIMB HE LOOKED OVER THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN AND SPOTTED A
TIGER. LITTLE BLACK SAMBO CALLED OUT, "MR. TIGER, WILL YOU HELP ME
GET SOMETHING TO EAT? MY MAMA AND PAPA WENT OFF AND LEFT ME AND MY
NEW CLOTHES ALONE." THE TIGER YELLED BACK, "IF YOU GIVE ME THAT
BRIGHT RED SHIRT I'LL TRY TO HELP YOU." LITTLE BLACK SAMBO FIGURED
HE DIDN'T HAVE MUCH TO LOSE, SO HE AGREED, "OKAY, YOU CAN HAVE MY
BRIGHT RED SHIRT." THE TIGER TOLD HIM TO DO AS HE DID,
KEEP BEHIND THE RABBIT AND DON'T LET THE RABBIT OUT OF SIGHT. WELL
LITTLE BLACK SAMBO TRIED AND TRIED BUT HE COULDN'T EVEN KEEP UP WITH
THE TIGER. SO HE SAID "I CAN'T KEEP UP WITH YOU, MR. TIGER, WILL YOU
PLEASE CATCH ME THE RABBIT AND I'LL GIVE YO ALL I HAVE - MY NEW
YELLOW PANTS AND COAT." THE TIGER SAID "AGREED, BUT FIRST, YOU GIVE
ME THE YELLOW PANTS AND COAT," INTENDING TO CATCH THE RABBIT AND KEEP
RUNNING WITH THE RABBIT AND CLOTHES. LITTLE BLACK SAMBO DID AS THE
TIGER TOLD HIM TO DO. THE TIGER WAS RUNNING, RUNNING, AND WAS
ABOUT TO CATCH THE RABBIT WHEN "BOOM!!!," A GUN SHOT KILLED THE TIGER
OVER. IT WAS LITTLE BLACK SAMBO'S MAMMA AND PAPA AND A TIGER FOR
SUPPA.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A LONG STORY; I THOUGHT SINCE MY INFORMANT'S BEEN HANDED DOWN
LONG NARRATIVE STORIES, HE MAY PASS THESE SAME STORIES ON IN A
SIMILAR FORM IF NOT THE SAME AS THEIR ORIGINAL VERSIONS.
THIS STORY PUSHES A BLACK IMAGE; THE MAIN CHARACTER, LITTLE BLACK
SAMBO, BREAKS AWAY FROM ALL OF HIS PROBLEMS IN THE END BY DOING FOR
HIMSELF.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): NEGRO MARALE? ; PERSONIFICATION

Date learned: 00-00-1960

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SHAGGY DOG TALE

ONCE THERE WAS THIS MAN WHO HAD A DOG THAT COULD TALK. HE TOOK THIS
DOG TO THE LOCAL TAVERN AND BEGAN TO BRAG ABOUT HIS TALKING DOG.
"I DON'T BELIEVE IT" SAID THE BARTENDER. "YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO
PROVE IT" SAID ONE OF THE CUSTOMERS. "ALL RIGHT" SAID THE MAN
TURNING TO HIS DOG, "WHO WAS THE GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYER IN
HISTORY?" HE ASKED THE DOG. THE DOG REPLIED, "ROOF, ROOF."
UPON HEARING THIS THE PEOPLE IN THE BAR GOT PRETTY MAD AND
THREW THE MAN AND HIS DOG OUT ONTO THE STREET. CONFUSED,
THE DOG LOOKED UP TO HIS MASTER AND ASKED, "WAS IT WILLIE MAYS?"

Submitter comment: TOLD IN CAJUN DIALECT ON A JUSTIN WILSON RECORD

Data entry tech comment: CHAPTER 7 IN "WITCRACKS BY ALVIN SCHWARTZ
SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; DOG ; HUMOR ; SURPRISE ENDING ; TALKING ANIMALS ; TAVERN

James Callow Keyword(s): BABE RUTH

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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HOW THE BEAR GOT ITS SHORT TAIL.

A LONG TIME AGO THERE WAS A BEAR AND A FOX. THESE TWO WERE
ALWAYS PLAYING TRICKS ON EACH OTHER. SO ONE DAY THE FOX TOLD
THE BEAR THAT THERE IS AN EASY WAY TO CATCH FISH. ALL YOU HAVE
TO DO IS CUT A HOLE IN THE ICE AND PUT YOUR TAIL IN IT. THE FISH
WILL GRAB ONTO IT AND YOU'LL PULL HIM UP. BUT WHEN THE BEAR
PUT HIS TAIL IN THE HOLE THE FISH BIT IT OFF. THAT'S WHY BEARS
HAVE SHORT TAILS.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT CONSIDERS THIS A GREEK TALE. AS SHE REMEMBERS SHE
THINKS IT WAS TOLD TO HER BY A VISITING FRIEND OF HER FATHERS
FROM GREECE. SHE BELIEVES SHE LEARNED IT IN DETROIT IN 1969

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Date learned: 04-00-1980 ; 00-00-1969

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WHY SPIDER WAIST IS TINY

SPIDER HAS ALWAYS BEEN A THIEF AND A ROBBER. HE IS
ALSO KNOWN AS A COWARD. HE IS FOREVER RUNNING,
OR IS READY TO RUN, THE MOMENT HE THINKS HE IS
DEFEATED BY ANYONE STRONGER THAN HE IS. THE SPIDER
ALSO SNEAKS UPON THOSE LARGER THAN HIMSELF BY STABBING
THEM SUDDENLY WITH POISONOUS DARTS. WITH STEALING
AND RUNNING, HE HAS DEVELOPED AMAZING SPEED AND
SURPASSING AGILITY. BUT ONCE HE OUTSMARTED HIMSELF
AND HE CAME CLOSE TO DEATH. HE WAS MAULED, LACERATED,
AND HAS RECEIVED SCARS OVER HIS ENTIRE BODY THAT HAS REMAINED
WITH HIM TODAY. IT OCCURRED DURING A FAMINE WHEN THERE WAS
HARDLY ANY FOOD AROUND. THIS PERIOD WAS VERY HECTIC FOR ALL
INCLUDING SPIDER. SPIDER STEALING HABITS BECAME VERY VICIOUS.
HE WAS CONSTANTLY TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO STEAL FROM OTHERS.
IT IS TO BE NOTED THAT SPIDER WAS AFRAID TO OPERATE AT NIGHT
BY HIMSELF. NIGHT AS WE ALL KNOW IS A GOOD TIME TO STEAL.
SPIDER NEEDED A LITTLE LIGHT TO STEAL SO HE MADE FRIENDS WITH
FIREFLY. HIS STRATEGY WAS TO FORM A PARTNERSHIP WITH
THE FIREFLY, PROVIDED THE FIREFLY GIVE THE SMALL AMOUNT
OF LIGHT NEEDED FOR SPIDER'S DARK OPERATIONS. HE AND FIREFLY
WOULD STEAL A LOT OF FOOD WHILE THE ENTIRE VILLAGE WAS
ASLEEP AND DIVIDE WHATEVER THEY HAD EQUALLY. UPON MEETING
THE FIREFLY, SPIDER SAID, "HELLO, I CAN RECOGNIZE YOU BY
YOUR LIGHT". "AH AND BY MY LIGHT I CAN EASILY RECOGNIZE YOU",
SAID THE FIREFLY SARCASTICALLY. AFTER THEIR BRIEF
INTRODUCTION, THE SPIDER TRIED TO CON THE FIREFLY
"THE VIRTUE OF YOUR LIGHT WILL NOT SAVE YOU FROM
STARVATION IN THIS FAMINE". "WHAT DO YOU WANT HERE?" ASKED
THE FIREFLY ANGRILY. "IF YOU ARE WAITING FOR MY LIGHT TO
DO A DIRTY DEAL, FORGET IT, YOU MAY AS WELL BE WASTING
GLORIOUS TIME. I WILL PUT NOTHING PAST YOU". " OH, DROP YOUR
SUSPICION", THE SPIDER ANSWERED QUICKLY. "ACTUALLY I WAS
LOOKING FOR YOU WITH A PURE HEART. I DON'T WANT ANY FUSS.
I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR YOU. YOUR LIGHT CAN BE A GREAT
SERVICE TO US DURING THIS FAMINE. I COULD SAVE YOUR
LIFE OR WE COULD DIE TOGETHER." "ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT", SAID THE
FIREFLY. "THAT SOUNDS LOGICAL", SAID THE FIREFLY WEAKLY. "WHAT WILL
I GET OUT OF THIS DEAL?" "LOOK", SAID THE SPIDER. "IF I COULD
OPERATE AT NIGHT WHEN ALL ARE ASLEEP, I COULD
GET SUFFICIENT FOOD FOR US TO EAT. "ONLY IF YOU WOULD COME
ALONG AND MAKE SOME LIGHT WITH YOUR PRESENCE". "OKAY", SAID
THE FIREFLY RELUCTANTLY. "YOU ARE VERY WISE. THE GOOD ARE
SELDOM WISE. YOU HAVE HEARD THE CALL OF DUTY AND HAVE NOT
HESITATED WITH TEARS LIKE A SCARY CHICKEN". AND SO IT WAS. THE
FIREFLY AND THE SPIDER WENT OUT AT NIGHT TOGETHER. THE FIREFLY HAD
HIS LIGHT AND THE SPIDER PULLED THE BASKET OF FISH FROM THE
RIVER INTO SEVERAL BASKETS. HE ALSO STUNG THE FISH TO DEATH
AND EXTRACTED THEM ONE BY ONE FROM THE BASKETS. BY THE FIREFLY'S
DIM LIGHT HE DRAGGED THE FISH TO HIS HOUSE AND DIDN'T GIVE THE
FIREFLY ANY FISH AS WAS PROMISED BY THE SPIDER. THIS
CONTINUED UNTIL THE FIREFLY BECAME RESENTFUL AND ANGRY.
HE TOLD HIMSELF THAT HE WILL REPAY THE SPIDER FOR HIS SELFISHNESS.
THE FOLLOWING NIGHT THE SPIDER COLLECTED MORE FISH. HE WAS
ABOUT TO DRAG THEM HOME WHEN SUDDENLY THE FIREFLY PUT OUT
HIS LIGHT AND FLEW AWAY. HE ALSO DIDN'T TELL THE SPIDER
THAT HE WAS LEAVING. SPIDER IMMEDIATELY CAME TO THE CONCLUSION
THAT THE FIREFLY HAD PERISHED. SPIDER QUICKLY COLLECTED THE
FISHES AND DRAGGED HIMSELF TO A HOUSE WHICH HE THOUGHT
WAS HIS HOUSE. WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR HE WAS GREETED BY
THE LION. THE LION QUICKLY TIED SPIDER WAIST AND BEAT HIM
UNMERCIFULLY. THE LION TOOK A BRIEF REST AND SPIDER SNEAKED
AWAY. THIS TIME HE MADE IT HOME WITH A TIED WAIST, BROKEN RIBS
AND SWOLLEN EYE. THE TIGHT CORD AROUND SPIDER'S WAIST
DIVIDED HIS BODY INTO TWO PARTS. EVEN SPIDER'S WIFE WAS
UNABLE TO UNTIE HIS WAIST FOR FEAR THAT SHE MIGHT SEPARATE
HIS TINY BODY INTO TWO PARTS. THEREFORE, SPIDER'S BODY NEVER
LOOK THE SAME AGAIN. HOWEVER, HE IS STILL KNOWN AS THE THIEF
COWARD AND RUNNER THROUGHOUT THE VILLAGES OF LIBERIA
AND AFRICA. AS FOR THE FIREFLY, HE NEVER REALLY FORGIVE
HIMSELF FOR NOT USING HIS LIGHT CORRECTLY. EVEN TO THIS DAY
HE HAS TRIED TO CORRECT HIS MISTAKE WITH THE SPIDER
BY TURNING ON ALL OF HIS LIGHTS FOR THE WORLD OF THE BUGS.
AND EVEN SO, MANY OF THEM PREFER THE DARK.

Submitter comment: THE MORAL OF THIS TALE IS THAT INDIVIDUALS SHOULD
BE TRUTHFUL AND RESPECTFUL TO EACH OTHER AND
NOT TRY TO PLAY GAMES BY BEING DECEITFUL.

Where learned: LIBERIA ; MONROVIA

Date learned: 00-00-1969

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THE HARE THAT RAN AWAY

THIS ANCIENT STORY IS ONE OF A SERIES ABOUT THE WISE
BUDDHA IN HIS SUCCESSIVE ANIMAL INCARNATIONS. THE
STORY MAY BEGIN WITHOUT REFERENCE TO BUDDHA:
ONCE THERE WAS A WISE LION WHO DID MUCH TO HELP
HIS FELLOW CREATURES AND HE FOUND THERE WAS MUCH TO
BE DONE. FOR INSTANCE, THERE WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS
HARE...."

Submitter comment: AN OLD EAST INDIAN FOLKTALE ABOUT A HARE THAT THOUGHT
THE SKY WAS FALLING DOWN, BECAUSE A PIECE OF FRUIT
HIT HIM ON THE HEAD. HE CAUSED COMMOTION AMONG
ALL THE ANIMALS AND THEY BEGAN TO BELIEVE THAT THE
SKY WAS FALLING, TOO. A LION CONVINCED HIM HE WAS
WRONG BY SHOWING THE HARE HOW IT REALLY HAPPENED.
THEN EVERYTHING IN THE WOODS RETURNED BACK TO
NORMAL.

Where learned: HOME

James Callow Keyword(s): HENNY-PENNY CHILDREN'S STORY.

Date learned: 10-22-1972

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IN AND OUT

THERE WERE ONCE TWO SKUNKS NAMED IN AND OUT. WHEN
IN WAS OUT, OUT WAS USUALLY IN. WELL, ONE DAY,
IN WAS OUT AND OUT WAS IN AND THE MOTHER SKUNK
WANTED IN IN SO SHE TOLD OUT TO GO GET IN.
AFTER JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES IN AND OUT CAME IN
AND THE MOTHER SKUNK ASKED HOW OUT HAD FOUND
IN SO QUICKLY. OUT SAID, "IT WAS ESAY--IN
STINCT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): INSTINCT ; PUN

Date learned: 12-04-1967

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LOST DOG

I REMEMBER MY GRANDMOTHER TELLING ME ABOUT A NEIGHBOR
WOMAN WHO LIVED ALONE IN AN OLD HOUSE. SHE GOT AWFULLY
SICK ONE DAY AND SHE DIDN'T HAVE A TELEPHONE; SO SHE
TIED A NOTE AROUND HER DOG'S NECK AND SENT FOR HELP.
THEY FOUND HER FIVE DAYS LATER IN BED. SHE DIED OF A
STROKE. THEY STILL HAVEN'T FOUND THE DOG.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT HER GRANDMOTHER RELATED
THIS STORY TO HER AROUND 1943. SHE IS THE SISTER-IN-LAW
OF THE COLLECTOR.

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SNAKES

THERE'S SOME KIND OF SNAKE THAT CAN PUT ITS TAIL IN
ITS MOUTH AND ROLL LIKE A HOOP.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HAD NEVER SEEN ONE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT

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TALE

A TALE OF A WEREWOLF ON 34 MILE RD. AND MOUND. WE CALL
IT LUKES. WE GO OUT THERE AT NIGHT TO GOOF AROUND. (HIGH
SCHOOLERS FROM HARPER HIGH SCHOOL). HE (THE WEREWOLF)
IS SUPPOSED TO BE 4' 3" TALL WITH A LOT OF HAIR ALL OVER
HIM. HE CARRIES A STICK AND ATTACKS PERSONS WHO COME
THERE. ONE TIME WHEN WE WERE THERE, HE PICKED UP THE
BACK OF OUR CAR AND JIGGLED IT UP AND DOWN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): LUPUS

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TURPEE AND THE THREE HABAKS

THERE WAS ONCE A LITTLE HOUSE, IN WHICH LIVED A LITTLE
OLD MAN, A LITTLE OLD WOMAN, AND A LITTLE DOG, NAMED
TURPEE. THERE WERE ALSO THREE HABAKS. NOW THE HABAKS
WANTED TO KILL THE LITTLE OLD MAN AND CARRY AWAY
THE LITTLE OLD WOMAN. SO ONE NIGHT, THEY CAME TO THE
LITTLE OLD HOUSE AND SAID, "LET'S KILL THE OLD MAN AND
CARRY AWAY THE OLD WOMAN." BUT TURPEE HEARD THEM AND
BARKED SO MUCH THAT THEY RAN AWAY.
NOW THE LITTLE OLD MAN HEARD THE DOG BARK; AND HE SAID,
"TURPEE, IF YOU BARK LIKE THAT TOMORROW NIGHT, I'LL
CHOP OFF YOUR TAIL."
WELL, THE NEXT NIGHT, THE THREE HABAKS CAME AGAIN AND
SAID, "LET'S KILL THE OLD MAN, AND CARRY AWAY THE OLD
WOMAN." BUT TURPEE HEARD THEM AND STARTED TO BARK,
AND HE SCARED THEM AWAY. NOW THE LITTLE OLD MAN ALSO
HEARD TURPEE BARK; AND HE SAID, "TURPEE, I'M GOING TO
CUT OFF YOUR TAIL." AND HE DID. AND HE SAID, "IF YOU
BARK LIKE THIS TOMORROW NIGHT, I'LL CHOP OFF YOUR HEAD."
THE NEXT NIGHT THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE HABAKS CAME;
TURPEE BARKED AND SCARED THE HABAKS AWAY, AND THE LITTLE
OLD MAN AWOKE. HE SAID, "TURPEE, I'M GOING TO CHOP
YOUR HEAD OFF." AND HE DID.
WELL, THE NEXT NIGHT WHEN THE THREE HABAKS CAME TO TRY
TO KILL THE LITTLE OLD MAN AND CARRY OFF THE LITTLE OLD
WOMAN, THERE WAS NO TURPEE TO BARK AND SCARE THEM AWAY;
BUT THE LITTLE OLD MAN HEARD THEM AND HID UNDER HIS BED.
NOW THE THREE HABAKS CAME RIGHT IN, BUT THEY COULDN'T
FIND THE LITTLE OLD MAN, SO THEY CARRIED THE LITTLE
OLD WOMAN AWAY IN A SACK.
NOW, THE POOR LITTLE OLD MAN KNEW WHY TURPEE HAD BARKED,
HE WAS SORRY. SO HE TOOK THE LITTLE DOG'S HEAD AND TAIL,
AND HE PUT TURPEE BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.
SO, THE LITTLE OLD MAN AND TURPEE SET OUT AFTER THE THREE
HABAKS. THE LITTLE DOG BARKED SO HARD THAT HE SCARED
THE THREE HABAKS, AND THEY DROPPED THE SACK AND RAN AWAY.
THE LITTLE OLD MAN GOT THE LITTLE OLD WOMAN OUT OF THE
SACK AND THE LITTLE OLD MAN AND THE LITTLE OLD WOMAN
AND TURPEE WENT HOME AND LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER--
BE(CAUSE) TURPEE WOULD ALWAYS PROTECT THEM.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS TALE FROM HER GRANDFATHER WHEN
SHE WAS ABOUT FIVE YEARS OLD. SHE WAS IN KINDERGARTEN
AT THE TIME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

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