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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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INFORMANT TOLD ME OF HOW IN HER KENTUCKY CHILDHOOD, HER PARENTS
WOULD HAVE THE MINISTER FROM THEIR CHURCH THEY ATTENDED COME
OVER FOR A CHICKEN DINNER ON SUNDAY AFTRNOON. ON ONE PARTICU-
LAR SUNDAY, SHE AND HER BROTHER THOUGHT OF A WAY TO MAKE THE
MINISTER (WHOM THEY BOTH FOUND INSUFFERABLE) LEAVE EARLY.
THAT MORNING, BEFORE CHURCH, THE INFORMANT'S BROTHER STUCK
A PAIR OF HUGE SCISSORS UNDER THE THIN CUSHION THAT WAS ON THE
MINISTER'S FAVORITE CHAIR HE ALWAYS CHOSE TO SIT ON WHENEVER
HE VISITED THEIR HOME. LATER THAT AFTERNOON, AFTER DINNER,
THE FAMILY RETIRED TO THE PARLOR. THE MINISTER WAS NOTICE-
ABLY UNCOMFORTABLE, AND EVENTUALLY GOT UP TO LEAVE. AFTER
TH MINISTER LEFT, THEY ADMITTED TO THEIR GRANDMOTHER WHAT
THEY HAD DONE AFTER SHE FOUND THE SCISSORS, AND THEY RECEIVED
THEIR DUE PUNISHMENT. HOWEVER, THE GRANDMOTHER SAID, "I HOPE
HE WASN'T TOO UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT I NEVER LIKED HIM TOO MUCH
ANYWAY."
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS COMPARABLE TO "THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA" IN
CONTENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; KENTUCKY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation Food Drink -- Food |
Date learned: 11-29-1971
ORDINARY FOLKTALE
THERE ONCE WAS A VERY FRIVOLOUS GIRL WHO DESPITE ALL HER
WORLDLINESS ALWAYS WORE A SCAPULAR. THIS SHE DID BECAUSE
OF A PROMISE TO HER MOTHER. ONE EVENING SHE WAS INVITED
TO A LAWN PARTY BUT NO ONE ASKED HER TO DANCE UNTIL A DARK
HANDSOME MAN ASKED HER TO DANCE, IF SHE WOULD TAKE THE
SCAPULAR OFF. RELUCTANTLY, SHE TOOK IT OFF AND HUNG IT ON
THE BRANCH OF A TREE. AS THE DANCE ENDED, SHE FELL TOWARDS
THE TREE, HIT HER HAND AND DIED.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: CA12001965
THE UNPUNISHED BOY
ONCE THERE WAS A BAD BOY WHOSE MOTHER REFUSED TO PUNISH HIM. NO MATTER HOW
EVIL HE WOULD BE, HIS MOTHER COULD NOT BRING HERSELF TO HURT HER SON. THE BOY
MET WITH A SUDDEN AND VERY YOUNG DEATH. A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THE BURIAL, IT
WAS FOUND THAT A COLD ARM HAD FORCED ITS WAY THROUGH THE GROUND AT THE GRAVE SITE.
AFTER ATTEMPTS AT REBURYING THE LIMB HAD FAILED TO WORK, THE PASTOR OF THE CHURCH
TALKED TO THE WOMAN ABOUT HER SON. HE THEN THEORIZED AFTER HIS TALK THAT THE MOTHER
WOULD HAVE TO STRIKE HER CHILD'S HAND BEFORE HE COULD SEEK REST. IN TEARS THE WOMAN
WAS BROUGHT TO THE GRAVESIDE WHERE SHE FINALLY STRUCK HIS HAND. AT THAT MOMENT THE
ARM WENT BACK INTO THE EARTH.
Submitter comment: SLAPPING CAUSES HAND OF BURIED SINNER TO RETURN UNDERGROUND IN GRAVE
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: WHILE COLLECTOR WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL
CONVERSION OF A NON-CATHOLIC
TEXT KEYPUNCHED IN NOVEMBER, 1972--ALSO IN 5X8 FILE CABINET
JIM'S INFORMANT WAS SISTER GODFREY (SISTER OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE
AT SAINT SYLVESTER'S IN PITTSBURGH). SR. GODFREY WAS JIM'S 4TH
GRADE TEACHER. THERE WAS A CATHOLIC HATER WHO MADE A LITTLE CATHOLIC
GIRL STEAL A HOST. HE WANTED TO NAIL THE HOST ON A TELEPHONE POLE
IN FRONT OF A CHURCH. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO CARRY IT OUT, THE
TELEPHONE POLE SPURTED BLOOD AND HE WAS CONVERTED.
Submitter comment:
JIM'S INFORMANT WAS SISTER GODFREY IN HIS FOURTH GRADE CLASS
IN PITTSBURGH
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CHRISTIANITY ; EUCHARIST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 12-07-1972
THE BLEEDING HOST
ONE DAY A CURIOUS LITTLE GIRL DECIDED TO SEE WHAT WOULD
HAPPEN TO THE HOST. INSTEAD OF SWALLOWING IT AT HOLY
COMMUNION, SHE WENT BACK TO HER PEW AND SLIPPED IT IN HER
HANDKERCHIEF. WHEN SHE ARRIVED HOME SHE PUT THE HOST
IN THE BIBLE. A FEW DAYS LATER WHEN SHE OPENED THE
BIBLE THERE WAS BLOOD ALL OVER THE PAGE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 01-12-1968
THE BLEEDING HOST
ONE DAY A LADY DECIDED TO TAKE THE HOST HOME WITH HER
INSTEAD OF SWALLOWING IT AFTER HOLY COMMUNION. SHE
PUT IT IN HER PURSE AND WHEN SHE RETURNED HOME HER
PURSE WAS DRIPPING WITH BLOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 02-27-1968
HYDE PARK
TEXT KEYPUNCHED IN NOVEMBER, 1972--ALSO IN 5X8 FILE CABINET
THERE WERE THESE TWO MEN WHO USED TO COME TO HYDE PARK ALL THE TIME.
ONE WAS A FUNDAMENTALIST, AND THE OTHER WAS AN ATHEIST. THE ATHEIST
ALWAYS SAID "IF THERE IS A GOD, LET HIM STRIKE ME DOWN."AND THE
FUNDAMENTALIST SAID"YOU'D BETTER WATCH IT OR HE WILL." SO THE
FUNDAMENTALIST GOT A GUN AND HID BEHIND A BUSH AND WHEN THE ATHEIST
SAID HIS LINE, HE SHOT HIM. BUT THE FUNDAMENTALIST THOUGHT HE KILLED
HIM AND SAID "WELL MAYBE THERE ISN{T A GOD IF HE LET ME KILL HIM."
AND AS THE ATHEIST RECOVERED, HE SAID "MAYBE THERE IS A GOD." SO
FROM THEN ON, THEY CHANGED PLACES IN THE PARK.
Submitter comment: FUNDAMENTALIST
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MR. TWARDOSKI
IN POLAND THERE IS THE LEGEND OF MR. TWARDOSKI, A MAN
WHO SOLD HIS SOUL TO THE DEVIL. THE LEGEND TAKES PLACE
ABOUT 200 YEARS AGO, AND MR. T. WAS A VERY AMBITIOUS MAN.
HE WAS ALSO GOING WITH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN TOWN,
AND HE FELT THAT HE SHOULD MAKE HIS FORTUNE BEFORE
MARRYING HER. THE DEVIL APPROACHED MR. T. AND TOLD HIM
THAT HE WOULD MAKE MR. T. VERY RICH IF HE SOLD HIS SOUL.
MR. T. AGREED, BUT ONLY IF HE COULD LIVE AS LONG AS THE
ROMAN DYNASTY DID. THE DEVIL AGREED, AND A PACT WAS
SIGNED WITH BLOOD. MR. T., WHO PREVIOUSLY HAD BEEN A
VERY RELIGIOUS MAN AND TRUE TO HIS GIRL FRIEND, TURNED
TO A LIFE OF EVIL, WHICH WENT ON FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS.
ONE DAY, WHEN MR. T. WAS IN A TAVERN, THE DEVIL APPROACHED
HIM AND TOLD HIM IT WAS TIME FOR HIM TO GIVE UP HIS SOUL.
MR. T. REFUSED AND SHOWED THE DEVIL THE NAME OF THE
TAVERN, WHICH WAS CALLED ROME. THE DEVIL TOLD MR. T.
THAT HE WOULD THEN HAVE TO TAKE HIS GIRL FRIEND. MR. T.
SHRUGGED THE DEVIL'S THREAT AND ORDERED ANOTHER DRINK.
IT WAS THEN THAT HE REALIZED HOW WRONG HE HAD BEEN.
WHEN HE CAME OUT OF THE TAVERN, HE SAW THE DEVIL RIDING
INTO THE WOODS WITH HIS GIRL FRIEND. IN A FRANTIC PURSUIT
HE FOLLOWED THE DEVIL TO AN OLD HOUSE IN THE WOODS. HE
WENT INTO THE HOUSE, DREW HIS SWORD, AND CHALLENGED THE
DEVIL TO A DUEL. IF MR. T. LOST, HE WOULD GIVE UP HIS
SOUL. IF THE DEVIL LOST, HE AND THE GIRL WOULD BE GIVEN
THEIR FREEDOM. THE DEVIL LAUGHINGLY AGREED. ALTHOUGH
MR. T. WAS A MASTER SWORDSMAN, THE DEVIL HAD SUPERNATURAL
POWER, SO MR. T. KNEW HE HAD TO BE CAUTIOUS. THE FURIOUS DUEL
BEGAN. JUST AS MR. T. WAS GETTING THE UPPER HAND, THE DEVIL
DISAPPEARED AND REAPPEARED BEHIND HIM. THE DEVIL WAS JUST
ABOUT TO FINISH MR. T. WHEN HIS GIRL FRIEND RAN IN FRONT
OF THE FATAL THRUST. MR. T. WAS SO BROKENHEARTED, THAT HE
SUCCUMBED TO THE DEVIL. BEFORE THE DEVIL TOOK HIM AWAY,
HOWEVER, MR. T. BEGAN TO SING A SONG TO THE BLESSED MOTHER,
WHICH HIS MOTHER TAUGHT HIM YEARS AGO. WHILE HE WAS SINGING,
HE BEGAN TO RISE IN THE AIR WITH THE DEVIL HOLDING ON.
HE WENT HIGHER AND HIGHER UNTIL THE DEVIL COULD NO LONGER
HOLD ON. LEGEND HAS IT THAT GOD FORGAVE MR. T. AND PUT
HIM ON THE MOON, WHERE HE MUST PRAY UNTIL THE END OF THE
WORLD, AND ONLY THEN WILL HE BE ABLE TO ENTER HEAVEN.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT TOLD THIS TALE IN POLISH. I HAVE TRIED TO
PRESENT IT IN THE SAME MANNER IN WHICH IT WAS TOLD TO ME.
TALE TRANSLATED FROM POLISH BY COLLECTOR
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 03-28-1970
THE LEGEND OF KILMACMOGUE
IN THE 11TH CENTURY THERE WAS A VERY PROSPEROUS AND BEAUTIFUL
CHURCH IN COUNTY CORK. BUT DURING THE REVOLUTION, WHEN THE
IRISH CATHOLICS WERE BEING PERSECUTED, THE CHURCH WAS DESTROYED.
AFTER THE END OF THE REVOLUTION, THERE WAS A MAN WHO HAD A WIFE
AND FOUR SONS, BUT COULD NOT AFFORD TO RAISE THE CHILDREN. SO
HE TOOK THEM TO THE RIVER BANKS AND PREPARED TO DROWND THEM IN
THE OVANE RIVER. A PRIEST SAW WHAT THE MAN WAS PLANNING TO DO
AND HE TOOK THE BOYS AND RAISED THEM. WHEN THE BOYS GREW UP
THEY ALL BECAME PRIESTS AND THEY REBUILT THE 11TH CENTURY CHURCH.
THUS THE CHURCH IS NAMED KILMACMOQUE, MEANING CHURCH OF THE
YOUNG SON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
GERMAN TALE
THERE ONCE WAS A VILLAGE CALLED RALLINGEN IN SWITZERLAND. THOUGH
THE TOWN ITSELF WAS VERY PRETTY, ITS INHABITANTS WERE STINGY
PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T BELIEVE IN CHARITY. ONE DAY A DWARF VISITED
THE VILLAGE BUT NONE OF THE PEOPLE WOULD LET HIM INTO THEIR HOMES.
ONLY ONE OLD COUPLE WHO WERE VERY POOR OPENED THEIR HOUSE TO HIM.
IN ANGER, THE DWARF DENOUNCED THE UNCHARITABLENESS OF RALLINGEN
AND, CLIMBING A HILL BEHIND THE TOWN, HE JUMPED ON A LARGE ROCK
AND RODE IT DOWN THE HILL TO THE TOWN. EVERY HOUSE EXCEPT THAT
OF THE OLD COUPLE WAS COMPLETELY WIPED OUT BY THE ROCK AND THE
PEOPLE WERE PUNISHED FOR THEIR LACK OF CHARITY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT IS AN AMERICAN GIRL WHOSE PARENTS ARE FROM GERMANY.
HER FATHER LEARNED IT AS A YOUNG BOY IN GERMANY AND TOLD IT TO
HER WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 10-06-1963
RUTA (COMMON NAME FOR GIRLS AMONG LITHUANIANS)
A LONG, LONG TIME AGO, WHEN UNPASSABLE FORESTS STILL EXISTED,
THERE WAS A DUKE THAT GOVERNED LITHUANIA. ALL THE OTHER DUKES
WERE AFRAID OF KARIBUTAS AND BOWED THEIR HEADS TO HIM. KARIBUTAS
WAS BRAVE AND POWERFUL. HE LIVED BETWEEN TWO FORESTS IN HIS
STRONG CASTLE. HE WAS VERY HAPPY WITH HIS WEALTH, RESPECT, BUT
HIS GREATEST JOY WAS HIS ONLY DAUGHTER WHOM HE LOVED VERY MUCH.
THEY CALLED HER RUTA.
RUTA HAPPILY RAN THROUGH THE CASTLE, SINGING LITHUANIAN SONGS.
(SHE) REJOICED AT THE FLOWERS, BIRDS' SINGING, HUNDRED-YEAR-OLD
OAKS' RUSTLING. SHE OFTEN SAT UNDER THE OLD TREES AND LISTENED
TO THEIR RUSTLING. THE DUKE'S DAUGHTER LISTENED TO THE OLD OAKS'
STORIES, AS OLD AS THEMSELVES--AS WELL AS SECRETIVE. SHE DIDN'T
EVEN NOTICE HOW HER JOYFUL DAYS OF YOUTH RAN BY.
WHEN SHE BECAME OF AGE, IMMEDIATELY FROM ALL OVER, RICH YOUNG
PRINCES AND DUKES STARTED COMING AND ASKING HER HAND IN MARRIAGE.
AND RUTA WAS SO BEAUTIFUL THAT ANYONE WHO LOOKED AT HER PROMISED
THAT HE WOULD EVEN GIVE HIS LIFE FOR HER. BUT RUTA WASN'T READY
TO GET MARRIED, SHE DIDN'T WANT TO GET MARRIED, AND THEREFORE,
DIDN'T PROMISE ANYONE.
BUT THE DUKE GOT TIRED OF LIVING ALONE AND DECIDED TO FIND HIMSELF
A SON-IN-LAW. HE FELT THAT HIS STRENGTH WAS WEAKENING, OLD AGE
WAS SETTING IN. HE CALLED RUTA TO HIS SIDE ONE TIME AND TOLD HER
THAT HE WANTS TO HAVE A SON-IN-LAW AND FOR HER, A HUSBAND. HE
SAID THAT SHE SHOULD FORGET ALL HER CHILDISH IDEAS AND THOUGHTS
AND HELP HIM TO FIND HER A HUSBAND. IF SHE DIDN'T FIND ONE IN
SIX MONTHS, THEN HE'LL HAVE TO APPOINT A HUSBAND FOR HER.
RUTA BECAME VERY SAD AFTER HEARING HER FATHER'S PLANS AND ORDERS.
SHE FELL AT HIS FEET AND BEGGED HIM, WITH TEARS IN HER EYES, TO
HAVE PITY ON HER AND NOT TO THROW HER TO A HUSBAND. BUT HER
FATHER TOLD HER THAT SHE MUST DO WHAT SHE IS TOLD.
BUT RUTA CRIED TILL WEAKENED, SHE FELL AT MILDO'S FEET (THE GODDESS
OF PURITY) AND VOWED THAT SHE WOULD KEEP HER VIRGINITY AND BECOME A
PRIESTESS. SHE KNEW THAT HER FATHER WOULD NOT LET HER DO THIS, SO
SHE DECIDED TO RUN AWAY TO ONE OF THE ROMUVAS (HOLY PLACE WHERE AN
ETERNAL FIRE BURNED TO ONE OR TWO OF THE GODS).
ON A WINDING FOREST TRAIL HURRIED A WHITE DRESSED GIRL. HER GOLDEN
HAIR, BEING MUSSED BY A GENTLE BREEZE, FELL ON HER SHOULDERS. THIS
WAS THE PRINCESS RUTA. THROUGH THE FORESTS SHE CAME ALONE TO
ROMUVA AND KNOCKED ON THE GATES. SHE WAITED A LONG TIME, WHEN ONE
OF THE PRIESTS CAME AND RECOGNIZED HER AND WELCOMED HER.
EARLY THE NEXT MORNING, THE SAME PRIEST TOOK RUTA TO THE HIGH
PRIEST. GOD'S SERVANT LISTENED TO HER, HER REASONS THAT BROUGHT
HER TO THIS HOLY PLACE. RUTA TOLD THE STORY OF HER LIFE, HER
FATHER'S DECISION AND FALLING TO HER KNEES, BEGGED THE HIGH PRIEST
TO ACCEPT HER AS A PRIESTESS.
THE HIGH PRIEST LISTENED TO HER COMPLAINTS. HIS WISE FOREHEAD
WRINKLED, HIS FACE CLOUDED OVER, BUT THE PRINCESS'S TEARS SOFTENED
HIS HEART AND WITHOUT THINKING OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN LATER, (HE)
ACCEPTED HER AS A PRIESTESS.
THE DUKE KARIBUTAS WAS SADDENED DEEPLY WHEN HE FOUND OUT THAT HIS
DAUGHTER HAD DISAPPEARED. HE BLINDLY WALKED THROUGH HIS CASTLE,
AS IF HE HAD LOST HIS WEALTH AND PRIDE. THE UNHAPPY FATHER CRIED,
JUST LIKE A MOTHER CRIES THAT HAS LOST HER LAST CHILD. HE ORDERED
EVERYONE TO LOOK FOR HER EVERYWHERE, JUST SO THAT THEY WOULD FIND
HER. THE ONE WHO FINDS HER, HE PROMISED, WOULD RECEIVE GREAT
REWARDS.
THEY SEARCHED FOR HER EVERYWHERE--THE PRINCES' AND DUKES' CASTLES,
THE ORDINARY HUTS, AND EVEN THE ROMUVAS.
ONCE, WHEN THE PRINCESS WAS MINDING THE HOLY FLAME, ONE OF THE
PRIESTS CAME AND TOLD HER THAT SOME OF HER FATHER'S MESSENGERS
HAD COME TO SEARCH FOR HER. RUTA PALED AS MUCH AS FRESHLY WOVEN
LINEN WHEN SHE HEARD THIS, AND RAN OUT INTO THE SACRED FOREST.
THERE SHE FELL UNDER AN OAK TREE AND BITTERLY STARTED TO CRY,
BEGGING THE GODS TO HAVE PITY ON HER AND NOT TO HAND HER OVER TO
HER FATHER.
THE MIGHTY GODS HEARD HER PLEAS AND PITIED HER. BUT THEY DIDN'T
WANT HER TO DEPART FROM THE EARTH WITHOUT LEAVING SOME SORT OF
SIGN, SO THEY TURNED HER INTO A SWEET SMELLING FLOWER.
THE MESSENGERS, LOOKING FOR THE PRINCESS, FOUND THE MAGICAL FLOWER
WHICH SMELLED SWEETLY IN THE WHOLE LAND. THEN THEY UNDERSTOOD
WHAT HAPPENED. IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE PRINCESS, THEY NAMED THAT
FLOWER HER NAME--RUTA.
Submitter comment:
TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN BY RAMUNI STONYS. IN OLD LITHUANIA,
THE PEOPLE WORSHIPPED ANYTHING THAT WAS ALIVE--NOT GOD HIMSELF
DIRECTLY. FOR EXAMPLE, LIGHTNING, THUNDER, WIND, SUN, MOON,
TREES, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 02-06-1972
INSPIRATION?
ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO, A GIRL FROM ALASKA ENTERED THE CONVENT.
AFTER ABOUT TWO WEEKS, SHE CLAIMED THAT SHE WAS HAVING VISIONS
OF CHRIST, WHO, SHE CLAIMED, HAD MADE HER A SPECIAL DISCIPLE.
AT THIS POINT, SHE WAS DISMISSED AND LATER ENTERED THE STRICT
CARMEL.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS STORY FROM THE INFORMANT ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; WAUWATOSA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 09-00-1962
I REMEMBER THE ONE, THERE WAS A MAN WHO WENT TO COMMUNION AND
HE DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT IT WAS REALLY GOD. SO WHEN THE PRIEST
GAVE HIM THE HOST, HE HURRIED UP AND TOOK IT OUT OF HIS
MOUTH AND PUT IT IN A HANDKERCHIEF, WRAPPED IT UP AND PUT
IT IN HIS POCKET. AND WHEN HE GOT HOME, HE WENT IN HIS
ROOM AND CLOSED THE DOOR, TOOK A HAMMER AND A NAIL, AND HE
NAILED THE HOST TO THE WALL, AND IT BEGAN TO BLEED. HE
DROWN {DROWNED} IN THE BLOOD.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
THERE WAS ONE ABOUT THE PRIEST WHO WAS GOING TO TELL ALL THE
SINS HE HEARD IN CONFESSION. THEN THE DOORBELL RANG, AND HE
NEVER SHOWED UP AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
INFORMANT TOLD ME OF HOW IN HER KENTUCKY CHILDHOOD, HER PARENTS
WOULD HAVE THE MINISTER FROM THEIR CHURCH THEY ATTENDED COME
OVER FOR A CHICKEN DINNER ON SUNDAY AFTRNOON. ON ONE PARTICU-
LAR SUNDAY, SHE AND HER BROTHER THOUGHT OF A WAY TO MAKE THE
MINISTER (WHOM THEY BOTH FOUND INSUFFERABLE) LEAVE EARLY.
THAT MORNING, BEFORE CHURCH, THE INFORMANT'S BROTHER STUCK
A PAIR OF HUGE SCISSORS UNDER THE THIN CUSHION THAT WAS ON THE
MINISTER'S FAVORITE CHAIR HE ALWAYS CHOSE TO SIT ON WHENEVER
HE VISITED THEIR HOME. LATER THAT AFTERNOON, AFTER DINNER,
THE FAMILY RETIRED TO THE PARLOR. THE MINISTER WAS NOTICE-
ABLY UNCOMFORTABLE, AND EVENTUALLY GOT UP TO LEAVE. AFTER
TH MINISTER LEFT, THEY ADMITTED TO THEIR GRANDMOTHER WHAT
THEY HAD DONE AFTER SHE FOUND THE SCISSORS, AND THEY RECEIVED
THEIR DUE PUNISHMENT. HOWEVER, THE GRANDMOTHER SAID, "I HOPE
HE WASN'T TOO UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT I NEVER LIKED HIM TOO MUCH
ANYWAY."
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS COMPARABLE TO "THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA" IN
CONTENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; KENTUCKY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation Food Drink -- Food |
Date learned: 11-29-1971
ORDINARY FOLKTALE
THERE ONCE WAS A VERY FRIVOLOUS GIRL WHO DESPITE ALL HER
WORLDLINESS ALWAYS WORE A SCAPULAR. THIS SHE DID BECAUSE
OF A PROMISE TO HER MOTHER. ONE EVENING SHE WAS INVITED
TO A LAWN PARTY BUT NO ONE ASKED HER TO DANCE UNTIL A DARK
HANDSOME MAN ASKED HER TO DANCE, IF SHE WOULD TAKE THE
SCAPULAR OFF. RELUCTANTLY, SHE TOOK IT OFF AND HUNG IT ON
THE BRANCH OF A TREE. AS THE DANCE ENDED, SHE FELL TOWARDS
THE TREE, HIT HER HAND AND DIED.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: CA12001965
THE UNPUNISHED BOY
ONCE THERE WAS A BAD BOY WHOSE MOTHER REFUSED TO PUNISH HIM. NO MATTER HOW
EVIL HE WOULD BE, HIS MOTHER COULD NOT BRING HERSELF TO HURT HER SON. THE BOY
MET WITH A SUDDEN AND VERY YOUNG DEATH. A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THE BURIAL, IT
WAS FOUND THAT A COLD ARM HAD FORCED ITS WAY THROUGH THE GROUND AT THE GRAVE SITE.
AFTER ATTEMPTS AT REBURYING THE LIMB HAD FAILED TO WORK, THE PASTOR OF THE CHURCH
TALKED TO THE WOMAN ABOUT HER SON. HE THEN THEORIZED AFTER HIS TALK THAT THE MOTHER
WOULD HAVE TO STRIKE HER CHILD'S HAND BEFORE HE COULD SEEK REST. IN TEARS THE WOMAN
WAS BROUGHT TO THE GRAVESIDE WHERE SHE FINALLY STRUCK HIS HAND. AT THAT MOMENT THE
ARM WENT BACK INTO THE EARTH.
Submitter comment: SLAPPING CAUSES HAND OF BURIED SINNER TO RETURN UNDERGROUND IN GRAVE
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: WHILE COLLECTOR WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL
CONVERSION OF A NON-CATHOLIC
TEXT KEYPUNCHED IN NOVEMBER, 1972--ALSO IN 5X8 FILE CABINET
JIM'S INFORMANT WAS SISTER GODFREY (SISTER OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE
AT SAINT SYLVESTER'S IN PITTSBURGH). SR. GODFREY WAS JIM'S 4TH
GRADE TEACHER. THERE WAS A CATHOLIC HATER WHO MADE A LITTLE CATHOLIC
GIRL STEAL A HOST. HE WANTED TO NAIL THE HOST ON A TELEPHONE POLE
IN FRONT OF A CHURCH. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO CARRY IT OUT, THE
TELEPHONE POLE SPURTED BLOOD AND HE WAS CONVERTED.
Submitter comment:
JIM'S INFORMANT WAS SISTER GODFREY IN HIS FOURTH GRADE CLASS
IN PITTSBURGH
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): EUCHARIST CHRISTIANITY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 12-07-1972
THE BLEEDING HOST
ONE DAY A CURIOUS LITTLE GIRL DECIDED TO SEE WHAT WOULD
HAPPEN TO THE HOST. INSTEAD OF SWALLOWING IT AT HOLY
COMMUNION, SHE WENT BACK TO HER PEW AND SLIPPED IT IN HER
HANDKERCHIEF. WHEN SHE ARRIVED HOME SHE PUT THE HOST
IN THE BIBLE. A FEW DAYS LATER WHEN SHE OPENED THE
BIBLE THERE WAS BLOOD ALL OVER THE PAGE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 01-12-1968
THE BLEEDING HOST
ONE DAY A LADY DECIDED TO TAKE THE HOST HOME WITH HER
INSTEAD OF SWALLOWING IT AFTER HOLY COMMUNION. SHE
PUT IT IN HER PURSE AND WHEN SHE RETURNED HOME HER
PURSE WAS DRIPPING WITH BLOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 02-27-1968