Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B642 returned 60 results.
THE HITCH-HIKER GIRL
ONE NIGHT IT WAS RAINING VERY HARD. TWO PEOPLE WERE DRIVING DOWN
THE ROAD TOWARD WALLACEBURG. BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THEY SAW A
GIRL DRESSED IN A FORMAL, WAITING FOR A RIDE. THEY STOPPED THE
CAR AND ASKED HER IF THEY COULD GIVE HER A LIFT. SHE GOT IN AND
THEY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NOT A DROP OF WATER ON HER. ON THE
WAY TO WALLACEBURG, ONE OF THE PEOPLE TURNED AROUND TO TALK TO
HER AND SHE WAS GONE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS INFORMATION FROM HER UNCLE, ALEX
MACDONALD, IN ABOUT 1925 IN PORT LAMBTON. HE TOLD HER THAT THIS
HAS HAPPENED TO QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WHILE GOING TO WALLACEBURG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; PORT LAMBTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 05-12-1965 ; 00001925 CA
A POLISH LEGEND
THERE IS A POLISH TALE ABOUT THE BELLS ON THE STEEPLE OF A REBUILT
CHURCH IN HEL ON THE BALTIC SEA. THERE LIVED, SO THEY SAY, A GIRL
WHO WAS TOTALLY DEAF, SO ALL SHE COULD DO WAS TO GUARD THE GOATS
IN THE PASTURE. BUT STRANGELY SHE WAS ABLE TO HEAR THOSE BELLS AS
IF THEY CALLED OUT HER NAME, JOANNA. ONE DAY SEVEN BELLS WERE
GONE AND THE GIRL WAS THE FIRST TO NOTICE THE SILENCE. PEOPLE WERE
DISMAYED AND DOWNHEARTED AND THEY BEGAN TO FEAR THAT THEY DID NOT
LIVE ACCORDING TO GOD'S COMMANDMENT, SO THE BELLS LEFT THEM.
ONE DAY THE GIRL WAS WALKING THROUGH THE FOREST AND SHE SEEMED TO
HEAR SOME RINGING.
SEARCHING IN THE GRASS, TO HER GREAT JOY, (SHE FOUND) ALL THE
BELLS. SHE DECIDED TO TAKE THEM BACK BUT THEY WERE HEAVY; SHE
ALMOST CRIED. SUDDENLY SHE HEARD THE BIG BELL SAY, "BIM, BAM,
BUM, TAKE ME FIRST, I AM THE FATHER AND THE OTHERS WILL FOLLOW."
SHE PICKED HIM UP AND FOUND HE WAS LIGHT. SHE MANAGED TO HANG
THEM UP IN THE CHURCH STEEPLE AND WHEN THE PEOPLE CAME TO MASS,
MINDING NOW TO BE ON TIME, SHE PULLED THE ROPE AND THE BELLS
STARTED TO RING. THEY RING TO THIS DAY, REMINDING THE PEOPLE,
MOSTLY FISHERMEN, TO LEAD AN HONEST LIFE SO THE BELLS WOULD NEVER
GO AWAY AND HIDE.
Submitter comment: THIS LEGEND MY GRANDMOTHER KNEW FROM HER CHILDHOOD DAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Holy placeChurchTemple BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 10-28-1967
LEGEND ABOUT AN IRISHMAN
THERE ONCE WAS AN IRISHMAN NAMED JACK. JACK WAS KICKED
OUT OF HEAVEN BECAUSE OF HIS MISERLINESS. HE WAS
STOPPED AT HELL'S GATE BY THE DEVIL BECAUSE OF ALL THE
PRACTICAL JOKES HE HAD PLAYED ON THE DEVIL. SO NOW HE
WALKS THE EARTH, BOBBING FOR APPLES, TELLING FORTUNES
AND GHOST STORIES WITH HIS LANTERN UNTIL JUDGEMENT DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 10-29-1971
ORDINARY FOLKTALE
DURING ADVENT A YOUNG GIRL WENT TO A MASQUERADE DANCE
AGAINST HER PARENTS' WISHES. SHE DRESSED AS A DEVIL
WITH MASK AND ALL. WHEN THE TIME CAME TO REMOVE THE
MASKS, THE YOUNG GIRL COULD NOT TAKE HERS OFF. THE
GIRL BECAME SERIOUSLY ILL AND SOON DIED. THE GRIEVING
PARENTS HAD A TOMBSTONE PUT ON THE GRAVE WITH A
DEVIL'S MASK ENGRAVED ON IT AND ALSO THE WORDS
TELLING THE TRAGIC STORY. THIS THEY DID TO GIVE
WARNING TO OTHERS.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL
ATTENDING SCHOOL IN OTIS, INDIANA.
DRESSED AS DEVIL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; INDIANA ; OTIS ; ORIGINALLY HEARD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: CA12001965
GINTARELE
MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, WHEN THE FISHERMEN STILL ROWED
OUT TO GET THEIR FISH, WHEN THE LAND WAS YOUNG, BUT
ALREADY PAST THE TIME OF THE VERY EARLY DUKES, THERE
LIVED AN OLD FISHERMAN WITH HIS WIFE AND THREE DAUGHTERS.
ONE DAY, WHILE THE DAUGHTERS WERE PLAYING IN THE WATER
A SEA-SERPENT APPEARED AND BEGAN TALKING TO THEM IN A
HUMAN VOICE. THE TWO OLDER GIRLS WERE FRIGHTENED AND
RAN OUT OF THE WATER. HOWEVER, THE YOUNGEST ONE STAYED.
THE SERPENT TOLD HER THAT HE HAD SEEN HER MANY TIMES AND
THAT SHE IS VERY BEAUTIFUL. HE IS IN LOVE WITH HER AND
WOULD SHE BE HIS WIFE. WHEN SHE TOLD THIS TO HER
PARENTS, THEY WERE VERY SAD, BUT THEY WERE AFRAID THAT HE
MIGHT DO SOMETHING IF THEY REFUSED, SO THEY LET HER GO.
THEY WATCHED HER DISAPPEAR INTO THE WAVES AND THEY FELT
THAT A TRAGEDY WILL BEFALL.
THE SERPENT PUT HER TO SLEEP, BUT WHEN THEY REACHED
THE BOTTOM HE AWAKENED HER. SHE OPENED HER EYES AND
BEFORE HER SHE SAW A BEAUTIFUL CASTLE BUILT OF VARIOUS
SHADES OF AMBER AND NEXT TO HER, A HANDSOME YOUNG
PRINCE; WITH HAIR AS YELLOW AS THE YELLOWEST SHADE
OF AMBER. AND SHE KNEW THEN, THAT SHE LOVED HIM AND
WILL BE HAPPY WITH HIM. SO, THAT NIGHT THEY WERE
MARRIED AND HAD A VERY BIG RECEPTION.
A FEW YEARS PASSED AND THEY ALREADY HAD THREE
BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN, WITH HAIR OF GOLD. THROUGH THE
YEARS, HER OWN HAIR HAD TURNED FROM BROWN TO A PALE
YELLOW. BUT NOW SHE FELT THAT SHE WAS MISSING SOME-
THING. SHE WANTED TO GO BACK HOME, TO VISIT HER PARENTS.
HER HUSBAND WHO LOVED HER VERY MUCH, WAS RELUCTANT TO
LET HER GO, BUT FINALLY HE TOLD HER THAT SHE CAN GO,
BUT ON ONE CONDITION. SHE HAD TO BE BACK WITHIN 3 DAYS.
AND AT SUNDOWN WHEN SHE WAS ON THE SHORE, IF SHE WILL
SEE BITS OF AMBER, THAT WILL BE A SIGN THAT HE IS DEAD.
SHE HAD A HAPPY THREE DAYS WITH HER PARENTS AND
SISTERS AND AT SUNDOWN ON THE THIRD DAY, SHE STOOD ON
THE SHORE. SUDDENLY, SEVERAL LARGE PIECES OF AMBER
WASHED UP AND SHE REALIZED THAT HER HUSBAND WAS DEAD.
BUT A HUGE WAVE SWEPT UP ON SHORE AND DRAGGED HER AND
HER TWO CHILDREN INTO THE SEA. LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE
BITS AND CHUNCKS THAT ARE FOUND BY THE BALTIC SEA ARE
PIECES OF THE SMASHED AMBER CASTLE. SOME OF THE PIECES
FOUND HAVE LITTLE SPECKS IN THEM, OR ARE EXTREMELY SHINY.
SOME OF THE OLD BELIEVERS SAY THAT THE PIECES ARE PARTS
OF HER EYELASHES, AND THE SINYNESS IS AMBER MIXED WITH
HER TEARS.
Submitter comment:
TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN BY RAMUNI STONYS
THIS IS A NAME (GINTARELE) TRANSLATED MEANS AMBER IN
THE FEMALE VERSION--GENDER. IT'S NOT COMMON NOW,
BUT STILL HEAR IT AROUND SOMETIMES.
TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN BY COLLECTOR
AMBER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 03-06-1972
ORDINARY FOLKTALE
THERE WAS ONCE A LITTLE SPOILED BOY WHO HAD SO MUCH
THAT WHEN HE DIDN'T GET WHAT HE WANTED, HE SLAPPED AND
KICKED AT HIS MOTHER. AS HE WAS GOING TO SCHOOL ONE DAY,
HE MET WITH A MISFORTUNE AND WAS KILLED. THE MOTHER
MOURNED AND TRIED TO MAKE HIS FUNERAL THE BEST POSSIBLE.
AT THE CEMETERY THEY HAD TO DRAG THE WEEPING MOTHER AWAY.
THREE DAYS LATER SHE VISITED THE GRAVE AND WAS HORRIFIED
AT WHAT SHE SAW. STICKING UP FROM THE GROUND WERE
FOUR CHUBBY FINGERS. OTHERS WERE ALSO HORRIFIED AND
TRIED TO COVER THEM. THREE TIMES THE MOTHER WENT TO
THE GRAVE AND FOUND THE FINGERS STICKING UP EVERY TIME.
THE MOTHER WENT TO THE PARISH PRIEST WHO SOON DISCOVERED
THAT THE YOUNG BOY HAD NEVER BEEN PUNISHED FOR HIS BAD
BEHAVIOR. THE MOTHER WOULD HAVE TO PUNISH THE BOY NOW
BY BEATING HIS FINGERS INTO THE GROUND IF HE WERE
TO FINALLY HAVE ETERNAL REST. THE MORAL OF THE STORY
IS NOT TO STRIKE YOUR PARENTS.
Submitter comment:
TOLD BY A COMMUNITY INSTRUCTOR: 1940S.
SLAPPING CAUSES HAND OF BURIED SINNER TO RETURN UNDERGROUND IN GRAVE
TOLD BY A COMMUNITY INSTRUCTOR IN THE 1940S
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: CA12001965
ORDINARY FOLKTALE
A LITTLE GIRL ALWAYS SLAPPED HER ELDERS WHEN SHE GREW
ANGRY. SHE DIED AND WHEN HER MOTHER VISITED THE GRAVE,
HER HAND WAS STICKING OUT OF THE GRAVE. IT DID NOT RETURN
TO THE EARTH UNTIL HER MOTHER SLAPPED IT FOR THE MANY
TIMES THE LITTLE GIRL WENT UNPUNISHED.
Submitter comment: SLAPPING CAUSES HAND OF BURIED SINNER TO RETURN UNDERGROUND IN GRAVE
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 00-00-1952
A MAN WAS ONCE ON BOARD A SHIP DURING A TERRIFIC STORM.
HE WAS BEING TOSSED ABOUT VIOLENTLY AND WAS EXCEEDINGLY
AFRAID. SUDDENLY, HE YELLED FIERCELY INTO THE TEETH OF
THE STORM "YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME, I AM THE CAPTAIN
OF MY SOUL." HE WAS THEN LESS FEARFUL AND WEATHERED
THE STORM. EVERYMAN IS IN CONTROL OF HIS OWN ETERNAL
FATE.
Submitter comment:
AT THE TIME I DID NOT ASK WHERE MRS. MC KEE HAD HEARD
THE TALE BUT SHE TOLD IT ALMOST REVEREANTLY AND
THOROUGHLY BELIEVED IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 06-00-1964
ONCE A MAN AND HIS GIRLFRIEND KILLED HIS WIFE AND THEN
GOT MARRIED AND LIVED IN THE SAME MANSION AS THE MAN'S
WIFE. THEY WERE HAPPY WITH EACH OTHER. ONE DAY THE
MAN'S NEW WIFE NOTICED A SPOT ON THE WALL AND ORDERED THE
MAIDS TO CLEAN THE WALL. THE SPOT DID NOT COME OFF BUT
GOT LARGER WITH TIME. EVENTUALLY IT BEGAN TO TAKE A FORM.
THE MAN'S NEW WIFE BECAME OBSESSED WITH THE IMAGE. IN
TIME IT WAS STARTING TO LOOK LIKE A HUMAN FACE. AFTER
THE IMAGE JUST ABOUT DROVE THE PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR MINDS
IT TOOK THE EXACT FORM OF THE MAN'S FIRST WIFE. THE NEW
WIFE WENT CRAZY BECAUSE SHE WAS THE ONE WHO KILLED THE
FIRST WIFE.
Submitter comment:
SPOT ON WALL GROWS INTO IMAGE OF MURDERED PERSON. UNABLE TO REMOVE
IT, THE MURDERER GOES INSANE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 11-15-1968
I REMEMBER A STORY ABOUT A VERY POOR MAN AND WOMAN WHO HAD
MANY CHILDREN. THE MAN WAS GOOD AND THE WOMAN WAS BAD.
EVERYDAY, WHEN THE MAN RETURNED HOME FROM WORK, HIS WIFE FED
HIM MEAT WITHOUT BONES. AND HE ALWAYS ASKED WHY THE MEAT
HAD NO BONES. THE WIFE REPLIED THAT THE BONES WERE HEAVY
AND MEAT WITHOUT BONES IS CHEAPER. THE HUSBAND ALWAYS ATE
BUT ASKED HIS WIFE HOW COME SHE NEVER ATE THE MEAT. TO
WHICH SHE REPLIED SHE HAD NO TEETH. ONE DAY THE HUSBAND
ASKED TO SEE HIS CHILDREN. COUNTING ONLY FIFTEEN HE
INQUIRED WHERE THE OTHERS WERE. THE WIFE ANSWERED THAT
THEY WERE AT THEIR GRANDMOTHER'S. EVERYDAY AFTER THAT
SHE WOULD TELL HER HUSBAND THAT SHE SENT ONE MORE TO
THEIR GRANDMOTHER.
ONE DAY WHEN THE HUSBAND CAME HOME, HE HEARD TALKING
UNDERNEATH A LARGE STONE NEAR THE HOUSE. HE LIFTED THE
ROCK AND SAW MANY BONES WHICH WERE SINGING:
OUR MOTHER HAS KILLED US
OUR FATHER HAS EATEN US
WE ARE NOT IN A COFFIN
AND WE ARE NOT IN THE CEMETERY.
REALIZING THE BONES WERE THOSE OF HIS CHILDREN HE BECAME
ANGRY AND KILLED HIS WIFE AND BURIED HIS CHILDREN.
THE MAN LIVED ALONE AND NEVER ATE MEAT AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
JAPANESE FAIRY TALE
ONE DAY LONG AGO, A HUNTER SHOT A CRANE. IT WAS TOO
BEAUTIFUL TO LET DIE, SO THE HUNTER CURED THE WOUND
WHICH WAS IN THE CRANE'S LEG. A FEW DAYS LATER, A
BEAUTIFUL GIRL APPEARED. THE HUNTER AND THE GIRL GOT
MARRIED.
THE HUNTER BEGAN WEAVING SOME CLOTH. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL AND
UNIQUE, BUT AS HE WOVE, HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE GREW SMALLER.
ONE NIGHT HE LOOKED THROUGH THE KEY HOLE, AND HE SAW HIS
WIFE AS A CRANE, THE CRANE HE HAD SHOT. AS HE WATCHED, THE
CRANE WAS PULLING OUT ITS FEATHERS TO PROVIDE MATERIAL FOR
HIS WEAVING, SO THAT HIS TAPESTRY COULD GROW AND HE COULD
BECOME RICH--WHICH IS WHAT HE WANTED TO DO. SHE KEPT
GROWING SMALLER AND SMALLER.
SHE WAS SO ASHAMED TO HAVE HIM SEE HER AS A CRANE THAT SHE
CAME TO HIM AND SAID IT WAS TIME FOR THEM TO SEPARATE.
SHE TURNED INTO A CRANE AGAIN, AND FLEW AWAY.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY TELLS SOMETHING ABOUT THE NATURE OF MARRIAGE
IN JAPAN. IT SHOWS THAT THE WIFE IS TOTALLY SELF
SACRIFICING TO THE HUSBAND; AND THAT THE WOMAN DOES NOT
LIKE TO SHOW HER REAL SELF, BUT PREFERS TO PRESENT AN
ARTIFICIAL SIDE OR FACE TO HER HUSBAND.
James Callow comment: SEE SEKI NO. 25 FOR ANOTHER VARIANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
THERE WAS ONCE A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG GIRL WHOSE MOTHER HAD JUST DIED.
HER FATHER REMARRIED, AND HER STEPMOTHER HAD A DAUGHTER OF HER OWN.
THE GIRL HAD A SMALL DOG AND THE STEPMOTHER USED TO BEAT BOTH THE DOG
AND THE GIRL. ONE DAY THE STEPMOTHER TOLD THE GIRL TO GO OUT AND GET
STRAW FOR THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE. WHILE THE GIRL WAS GONE, THE
STEPMOTHER DUG A PIT IN FRONT OF THE DOORSTEP AND FILLED IT WITH
HOT COALS. THEN WHEN THE GIRL CAME BACK THE DOG WARNED THE GIRL
OF THE DANGER. THE STEPMOTHER BEAT BOTH THE GIRL AND THE DOG, AND
ASKED THE FATHER TO TAKE THE GIRL OUT IN THE WOODS AND ABANDON HER.
THE GIRL WANDERED ALL DAY IN THE WOODS AFTER SHE WAS ABANDONED.
TOWARDS EVENING SHE SPOTTED A SMALL CABIN, GOING INSIDE SHE FOUND A
LARGE STOVE STILL BURNING. SHE WAS VERY SLEEPY AND IMMEDIATELY FELL
ASLEEP ON THE WARM STOVE. NOT TOO LONG AFTER A LARGE BEAR CAME IN.
HE SAW THE GIRL AND ASKED HER WHAT SHE WAS DOING HERE. SHE ANSWERED
POLITELY THAT SHE WAS ONLY LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO SLEEP. THE BEAR
THEN TOLD HER TO MAKE HIM SOME SUPPER. SHE DID. THEN HE TOLD HER TO
SCRATCH HIS LEFT EAR. SHE DID AND THEN ALL SORTS OF FOOD FLOWED OUT.
THEN HE TOLD HER TO SCRATCH HIS RIGHT EAR, AND AS SHE DID ALL SORTS
OF RICHES FLOWED. THE NEXT MORNING SHE LEFT WITH HER TREASURER HER
TREASURES AND WENT HOME. WHEN THE STEPMOTHER SAW THIS SHE INSISTED
THAT HER DAUGHTER GO TO THE HUT. THE NEXT EVENING THE STEPSISTER WAS
LYING ON THE STOVE WHEN THE BEAR WALKED IN. IMMEDIATELY THE BEAR ASKED
WHAT SHE WAS DOING HERE. THE LAZY GIRL GAVE HIM A RUDE AND WISE-CRACK ANSWER.
THE BEAR THEN ASKED HER TO MAKE HIS SUPPER. SHE TOLD HIM TO DO IT HIMSELF.
THEN HE SCRATCHED HIS LEFT EAR AND ALL SORTS OF SNAKES AND VIPERS FLOWED OUT.
THEN HE SCRATCHED HIS RIGHT EAR AND ALL SORTS OF LEOPARDS AND WILDCATS JUMPED OUT.
THE BEAR TOLD THEM TO ATTACK AND THEY DEVOURED HER AND ALL THAT WAS LEFT WAS HER BONES.
THE NEXT MORNING THE STEPMOTHER WAS IMPATIENT AND WENT TO THE COTTAGE. THERE SHE SAW
THE DAUGHTER'S BONES AND WAS IMMEDIATELY DEVOURED BY THE BEAR. AND SO IT IS ENDED.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER HEARD THIS TALE FROM HER MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS A SMALL CHILD.
INFORMANT HEARD THIS TALE FROM HER MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS A SMALL CHILD
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 04-03-1968
PARALYZING PUNISHMENT
A GIRL ONCE RAISED HER ARM TO STRIKE HER MOTHER AND IT
BECAME PARALYZED IN ITS UPRAISED POSITION. AT HER
DEATH AN EXTENSION HAD TO BE MADE ON HER CASKET BECAUSE
HER ARM COULD NOT BE BROUGHT DOWN.
Submitter comment:
HEARD FROM SISTER M. CLEMENTIA, I.H.M. WHILE IN HIGH
SCHOOL. HEARD FROM SISTER M. CLEMENTIA, I.H.M. WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 08-08-1964
ORDINARY FOLKTALE
AN EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL GOT MARRIED AND HAD A SON.
THE FATHER DIED AND WAS BURIED BY AN OAK TREE IN THE
FRONT YARD. THE KID WOULD GO AND SWING AND THE TREE
WOULD GO AND SWING HIM LIKE A FATHER.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED FROM ARMSTRONG PIERCE SOMEWHERE IN THE
APPALACHIANS. LEARNED FROM ARMSTRONG PIERCE SOMEWHERE IN APPALACHIA
SPIRIT IN TREE SWINGS SON
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 09-30-1967
SYRIAN TALE
PRETTY GIRL GOES TO THE WELL AND IS STARED AT BY AN OLD WOMAN.
UPON RETURNING HOME SHE BECOMES ILL AND DIES.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO HER BY HER AUNT OF SYRIAN DESCENT. IT WAS A BELIEF OF HER PEOPLE
THAT CERTAIN PEOPLE ARE BEWITCHED OR DOOMED TO DIE. EVIL EYE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): EVIL EYE ; THOMAS WRIGHT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 08-11-1964
BED-TIME STORY
ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A LITTLE GIRL NAMED CINDY WHO
ALWAYS WANTED TO OWN A PAIR OF MAGIC DANCING SHOES SO
THAT SHE WOULD BE ABLE TO DANCE TO HER HEART'S CONTENT.
ONE NIGHT, CINDY WAS LYING AWAKE IN HER BED AND A FAIRY
GODMOTHER APPEARED TO HER AND GAVE HER A PAIR OF SHINY RED
DANCING SHOES, WHICH WERE SUPPOSED TO MAKE YOU DANCE
FOREVER AND EVER. THE ONLY THING WAS THAT THE GODMOTHER
SAID, "YOU MUST TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF THE SHOES, FOR IF
YOU AREN'T CAREFUL WITH THEM, THEY WILL DANCE AWAY BY
THEMSELVES AND NEVER COME BACK." CINDY PROMISED TO ALWAYS
TAKE CARE OF THE SHOES, AND NEVER LET THEM BE NEGLECTED.
EVERY DAY SHE WOULD PUT ON THE SHOES WHEN SHE CAME HOME
FROM SCHOOL AND DANCE THROUGHOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD, ALWAYS
HAPPY AND FREE. ONE DAY THOUGH, CINDY WAS IN SUCH A HURRY
TO GET OUTSIDE AND PLAY WITH HER FRIENDS THAT SHE THREW
ASIDE THE DANCING SHOES AND LEFT THEM IN THE MUD NEAR THE
HOUSE. WHEN SHE CAME BACK, SHE FOUND THAT THEY WERE GONE
AND HAD DANCED OFF BY THEMSELVES TO THE LAND OF NEVER
RETURN. TODAY, THEY ARE STILL THERE WAITING FOR SOME
OTHER LITTLE GIRL WHO WILL LOVE THEM AND TAKE CARE OF
THEM--THE MAGIC RED DANCING SHOES.
Submitter comment:
GIRL MISTREATS DANCING SHOES. THEY NOW AWAIT A GIRL WHO WILL TAKE
CARE OF THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 03-27-1971
NEVER SWEEP AFTER SIX
THIS WOMAN'S GRANDFATHER SAID THAT SHE WAS NEVER TO
SWEEP AFTER SIX IN THE EVENING. ONE DAY SHE WAS
SWEEPING, AND WHEN THE CLOCK STRUCK THE HOUR OF SIX,
SHE DROPPED THE BROOM. WHEN SHE TRIED TO PICK IT UP
SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. LATER SHE FOUND THAT HER
GRANDFATHER HAD DIED THAT DAY AT 6:00 P.M.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
ORDINARY FOLKTALE
THERE WAS ONCE A VERY WEALTHY MAN WHO USED TO HOARD HIS
MONEY. HE DIDN'T TRUST ANYONE, SO HE USED TO BURY IT IN
THE GROUND AND ENCHANT IT SO THAT NO ONE COULD FIND IT.
PART OF THE ENCHANTMENT DEALT WITH KILLING A ROOSTER ON
THE SPOT WHERE THE MONEY WAS BURIED.
THERE WERE MANY POOR PEOPLE IN THE VILLAGE WHERE THIS MAN
LIVED YET HE NEVER LIFTED A FINGER TO HELP THEM. ONE DAY
AS HE WAS ADDING TO HIS TREASURE A POOR YOUNG BOY OVER-
HEARD AND SAW THE RITUAL. HE NOW KNEW THE SECRET TO THE
TREASURE BUT HE DECIDED TO BIDE HIS TIME UNTIL THE MISER DIED.
HOWEVER, THERE WAS ANOTHER YOUTH IN THE VILLAGE WHO WAS
VERY GREEDY AND HE KILLED THE OLD MAN FOR HIS TREASURE. YET
WHEN HE WENT TO THE SPOT WHERE IT WAS BURIED HE COULDN'T
SEE IT BECAUSE IT WAS ENCHANGED. THE YOUTH WHO KNEW THE
SECRET, THEN WENT TO THE PLACE THE MONEY WAS BURIED AND
PERFORMED THE RITUAL AND THE MONEY WAS HIS. THERE IS A
MORAL TO THIS STORY, AND IT IS THAT IT DOESN'T PAY TO BE
GREEDY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
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
Goats Feet
There was a girl who liked to dance and socialize very often. Her parents objected so she used to sneak out of the house. One day her mother caught her and put a curse on her. If she went out of the house to go dancing again her feet would turn to goat's ffet. She didn't believe her mother. Next time she went out her beau picked her up and off they went. When she went to get out of the car, she looked down and her feet had turned to goat's feet. The moral is: listen to your parents.
Submitter comment:
Polish Tale (Written across the top of the card)
Co - Feet of girl turned into feet of goat when/after she is cursed by her mother for dancing. (written on an attached card that listed motifs. Signed by M. Butzen
Data entry tech comment:
Non-numbered motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original Boggs Number [B600] crossed out and B642 written nest to it.
Collector's note of Polish Tale is crossed out.
Why Polish is written at the bottom of the card, then crossed out and followed by: B. Fagan says this is a Polish FolkTale.
A separate card is attached with motif numbers listed. Bottom of card is signed by an M. Butzen.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Dancing ; DATING ; Fable ; FAMILY ; FEET ; Goat ; Moral ; PARENTAL RESPECT ; PARENTS ; POLISH ; SOCIAL RELATIONS ; Teenager ; YOUTH
James Callow Keyword(s): POLISH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |