Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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DURIN' A BATTLE FOR NASHVILLE, SOMEONE, I DON'T KNOW WHO--
WAS IT JAMES ROBERTSON'S WIFE?-- TURNED SOME DOGS LOOSE ON
INDIANS AND WON THE BATTLE.
Submitter comment:
THIS PROVES TO BE HISTORICALLY CORRECT. INFORMANT GOT THE STORY FROM HER FATHER, BUT APPARENTLY PICKED UP THE NAME
FROM READING.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 07-06-1973
CHILDREN'S STORY
SOME TROLL LIVED UNDER A BRIDGE--SORT OF A CULVERT, BUT HE
CALLED IT A BRIDGE--AN', UH, I BELIEVE THERE WAS THREE GOATS
LIVED ON ONE SIDE OF A HILL, AN' THERE WAS A GREEN PASTURE
ON THE OTHER SIDE (OF THE BRIDGE). THEY'D JUST EATEN UP
EVERYTHING THEY HAD ON THEIR SIDE AN' THEY WANTED TO GO OVER TO
THIS GREEN PASTURE. BUT THEY WERE AFRAID OF THE TROLL 'COS
EVERYBODY THAT WENT ACROSS THIS BRIDGE, HE CAME OUT, Y'KNOW
AN' HE GOBBLED 'EM UP, ONE WAY OR 'NOTHER, AN' THESE THREE
GOATS DECIDED THEY WOULD GO ACROSS TO THE PASTURE. SO THEY
DECIDED THEY WOULD TRY THIS RUSE, AT LEAST THEY'D GET THEIR
LITTLE ONE ACROSS AN', UH, GET OVER WHERE THE PASTURE WAS
GREEN, 'COS IT WAS PROB'LY STARVATION IF THEY DIDN'T. SO
THE LITTLE FELLA, THEY THOUGHT HE'S SO LIGHT MAYBE HE WOULDN'T
HEAR HIM ANYWAY, AN' HE'D GET ACROSS, HE TRIPPED ACROSS THIS
BRIDGE. THE OLD TROLL SAID, "WHO'S THAT TRIPPIN' ACROSS MY
BRIDGE?" HE SAID, "I'M THE LITTLE GOAL BILLY." HE SAID, "I'M
COMIN' OUT AN' EAT YOU UP." AN' HE SAID, "OH, DON'T EAT ME
UP," SAID, UH, "MY FATHER'S COMIN' AFTER A WHILE AN' HE'S
MUCH BIGGER THAN I." AN' HE SAID, "VERY WELL THEN, GO ON."
SO THEN THE MIDDLE-SIZED GOAT, WHICH WAS THE MOMMA GOAT,
WENT ACROSS. AN' HE WANTED TO KNOW, THE OLD TROLL SAYS,
"WHO'S THAT TRAPPIN' ACROSS MY BRIDGE?" THE LITTLE ONE TRIPPED,
& THIS ONE TRAPPED. "WHO'S THAT CROSSIN' MY BRIDGE?" TRAP,
TRAP, TRAP. SHE SAID SHE'S THE MIDDLE-SIZE GOAT BILLY . . .
MAYBE THE NANNY GOAT . . . HE SAYS HE'S COMIN' OUT AN' EAT HER UP.
AN' SHE SAID, "OH, NO, DON'T COME OUT AN' EAT ME UP NOW,"
SHE SAID, "WE'RE GOIN' ACROSS IN A GREEN PASTURE WHERE WE CAN
EAT GRASS AN' GROW FAT, AN' THEN WHEN WE COME BACK WE'LL BE
GOOD FOR YE TO EAT." AND HE TOLD HER, VERY WELL, THEN, BUT
BE SURE THEY CAME BACK THAT WAY. SO AFTER A WHILE THE PAPA
GOAT, THE BIG BILLY GOAT, WENT ACROSS, TROMP, TROMP, TROMP.
AN' HE SAID, "WHO'S THAT TROMPIN' ACROSS MY BRIDGE?" AND HE
SAID, "THE BIG GOAT BILLY." HE SAID, "I'M COMIN' OUT AN'
EAT YOU UP." AN' HE SAID, UH, "WELL, COME AHEAD, THEN."
SO, THE TROLL CAME OUT, AND HE (THE GOAT) WAS SO STRONG HE
TOOK HIS OL' HORNS, Y'KNOW, AN' GORED HIM WITH 'EM; HE TOOK
AHOLD OF HIS NOSE AN' BROKE IT. THE TROLL'S NOSE WAS AS
LONG AS A BROOMSTICK AN' HIS EYES WAS AS BIG AS SAUCERS, AN'
HIS HAIR LOOKED LIKE, WELL . . . IT LOOKED ABOUT LIKE YOURS
(THE COLLECTOR'S LONG HAIR). ANYWAY, HE GORED HIM AN' HE
PICKED HIM UP AN' PITCHED HIM OVER IN THE RIVER, AN'
HE WAS GONE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS DOUBTFUL AS TO WHETHER SHE WAS CORRECTLY
REPEATING THE STORY, BUT SHE FELT SHE HAD IT MOSTLY CORRECT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 07-06-1973
BELIEF
FALSE BELIEF: THAT WHEN IN DANGER, YOUNG SNAKES GO INTO
THEIR MOTHER'S MOUTH. UNTRUE--SNAKES ARE ON THEIR
OWN WHEN THEY ARE BORN.
Where learned: NATURE STUDY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 04-19-1969
BELIEF: MUDSNAKE (HOOKSNAKE)
IT IS BELIEVED THAT THIS SNAKE PUTS ITSELF
INTO HOOK AND CHASES ITS VICTIM, JABBING AT
YOU WITH TAIL. FALSE BELIEF.
Where learned: NATURE STUDY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 04-19-1969
BELIEF: SNAKES
BELIEF THAT THE EASTERN COACHWHIP SNAKE STANDS
ON ITS HEAD AND BEATS YOU TO DEATH. FALSE.
Where learned: NATURE STUDY CLASS ; NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
DINNER PARTY
A WOMAN WAS GOING TO GIVE A DINNER PARTY FOR HER
FRIENDS. HER CAT GOT INTO THE CASSEROLE AND ATE
SOME. THE WOMAN DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO FIX ANYTHING
ELSE, SO SHE JUST SCRAPED OFF THE AREA HE HAD
GOTTEN INTO. THE DINNER PARTY WENT SMOOTHLY
UNTIL THE WOMAN CAME BACK INTO THE KITCHEN FOR
SOMETHING AND FOUND HER CAT DEAD. SHE RUSHED HER
FRIENDS TO THE HOSPITAL TO PUMP THEIR STOMACHS--
SHE LATER FOUND OUT THE CAT HAD EATEN SOME POISON.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; PEABODY CAFETERIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
THERE WAS THIS DEAN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
WHO HAD THIS DOG WHO KEPT ANNOYING HER AS SHE WAS
GETTING READY TO GIVE A DINNER PARTY. SO TO QUIET
HIM SOME, SHE GAVE HIM SOME OF THE CASSEROLE FOR
THAT NIGHT'S PARTY. THE GUESTS ARRIVED AND THE
DINNER ALMOST FINISHED BEING EATEN, WHEN THE
DEAN'S MAID CAME IN AND WHISPERED TO HER THAT
THE DOG HAD DIED.
WELL, THE DEAN TOLD HER GUESTS AND RUSHED THEM
DOWN TO THE HOSPITAL TO HAVE THEIR STOMACHS
PUMPED.
THE DOG, SHE LATER FOUND OUT, HAD BEEN RUN OVER.
Where learned: TALKING ABOUT SCHOOL ; NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman |
Date learned: 04-20-1969
CATS AND DEATH
IN ROCKWOOD, WHEN I WAS A LITTLE BOY, THE LAUDS (LANDS?)
FAMILY USED TO BE OUR NEIGHBORS. WELL, MR. LANDS DIED.
YOU KNOW BACK THEN THEY ALWAYS KEPT THE BODY IN THE
HOUSE FOR ABOUT A WEEK. WELL, THEY KEPT MR. LANDS'
BODY SO LONG, IT STARTED TURNING BLACK. WELL, THE LANDS
HAD A WHOLE BUNCH OF CATS. YOU KNOW THEY SAY CATS TRY
TO GET ON A DEAD BODY AND SCRATCH IT. THOSE CATS GOT
INTO THAT CASKET ONE NIGHT AND THEY CAUGHT THEM JUST
IN TIME. THOSE CATS WOULD GET UP ON THE SCREEN WINDOW
RIGHT NEXT TO THE BODY AND TRY TO GET IN.
James Callow comment: APOSTROPHE ADDED
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; KINGSTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 07-27-1968
DEATH OF A CAT
ONCE SOME PEOPLE WENT IN THE KITCHEN AND SAW TWO CATS
SETTING IN FRONT OF THE FIRE COOKING PEAS IN AN EGGSHELL.
WHILE THEY WAS WATCHIN' THEM, ANOTHER CAT RUSHED IN AND
HOLLERED, "CRUMP'S DEAD." THE CATS DROPPED THEY (THEIR)
PEAS AND THEY ALL RUN OFF AND NOBODY EVER SAW THEM AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
OUT AND LOOKING HIM FULL IN THE FACE SAY:
JOHNNY REED! JOHNNY REED!
TELL MADAM MOMFORT
THAT MALLY DIXON'S DEAD!
THIS IS ONLY ONE OF MANY EXAMPLES THAT ARCHER TAYLOR,
P. 73, GIVES OF WHAT STITH THOMPSON CALLS THE "ROBERT IS
DEAD" MOTIF.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00001950 CA
HOW AUNT BELLE GOT THE BEAUTIFUL BLACK HORSE
DURING THE BATTLE OF DECEMBER 26, 1864, ACROSS THE HILLS
NEAR THE PRESENT SITE OF THE COAL SPRINGS CHURCH, A
BEAUTIFUL BLACK HORSE BELONGING TO AN OFFICER OF THE
FEDERAL TROOPS WAS BADLY WOUNDED. THE OFFICER GAVE THE
HORSE TO MY AUNT BELLE. SHE CARED FOR THE ANIMAL UNTIL
IT RECOVERED. WHEN IT WAS WELL AGAIN,
SOME OF THE SOLDIERS CAME TO TAKE THE HORSE AWAY FROM HER.
SHE PUT IT IN THE
SMOKEHOUSE AND STOOD IN THE DOORWAY WITH A BUTCHER
KNIFE IN HER HAND, AND ORDERED THEM TO STOP SOME
DISTANCE AWAY, TO COME NO NEARER. THEY LEFT WITHOUT
THE HORSE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PULASKI
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 08-01-1968
THE PITTSBURG ORANGUTAN
ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A STORY GOING AROUND THE
HIGH SCHOOLS IN PITTSBURG ABOUT A FIGHTING ORANGUTAN.
THE ORANGUTAN WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BROUGHT TO A NEARBY
SHOPPING CENTER WHERE A CONTEST WAS TO BE HELD.
ANYONE WHO COULD REMAIN IN THE CAGE WITH THE ORANGUTAN
FOR TEN SECONDS WOULD WIN ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS. THE
RUMOR SPREAD FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS AND THE DAY CAME FOR
THE CONTEST. SEVERAL HUNDRED YOUTHS SHOWED UP AT THE
SHOPPING CENTER, BUT THE ORANGUTAN NEVER MADE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-18-1968
UNUSUAL DOG
I ONCE HAD A DOG THAT CHASED AND KILLED PIGS AND ATE
THEM. DOGS DON'T KILL PIGS. THIS WAS THE FIRST DOG
I EVER SAW OR HEARD OF THAT WOULD DO THIS. ONE NIGHT
I HEARD THE PIGS SQUEELING AND I WENT OUT TO SEE WHAT
WAS GOING ON. I SAW THIS DOG OF MINE DOWN THE BIGGEST
SOW I HAD AND EATING IT. I RAN IN THE HOUSE AND GOT
MY SHOTGUN. I AIMED AT THE DOG AND SHOT IT AS IT WAS
PULLING AT THE THROAT OF THE PIG AND IT DIDN'T EVEN
LET GO WHEN IT DIED.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-08-1968
PIESTUPYS -- A LITHUANIAN FOREST
WHILE MY FATHER WAS A LITTLE BOY, HE HEARD VARIOUS TALES
TOLD ABOUT THIS FOREST. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HAUNTED;
FOR IN THERE, THE DUKE OF LITHUANIA (VYTAUTAS)
PUNISHED THE ENEMY OF LITHUANIA. IT IS TOLD THAT THE
GHOSTS OF THOSE KILLED BY HIM OR ANY OF THE SOULS THAT
AREN'T AT PEACE (SUCH AS SUICIDES, MURDERS, THOSE
MANGLED TO DEATH BY THE WOLVES AND THE WILD MAD DOGS)
HAUNT THIS FOREST AND TRY TO REVENGE THEIR DEATHS BY
SCARING THE PASSERSBY TO DEATH.
MY FATHER SPEAKING: {COLLECTOR'S FATHER} 1). ONE OF THE
TALES TOLD IS THAT FIERY PILLARS ROSE UP. THEY WALKED
DOWN A WAYS ON THE SHORE OF SVENTOJI (A RIVER IN
LITHUANIA) AND DISAPPEARED. ONE OF THE OLDER MEN IN
OUR VILLAGE SAID THAT IS THE ANCIENT GOLD AND
SILVER. AND WHERE THOSE POLES, PILLARS, RISE UP OR
DISAPPEAR, THAT'S WHERE THE MONEY IS SUPPOSED TO BE
BURIED.
ME: DO YOU THINK THIS IS TRUE?
FATHER: NO, IT COUL'VE BEEN ANYTHING; REFLECTIONS
OF SOME SORT OR EVEN THE RUSSIAN SPIES WITH THEIR
TORCHES. IT COULD'VE BEEN A NUMBER OF THINGS.
ME: ARE MOST OF THE STORIES REVOLVE ABOUT THINGS?
NOT PEOPLE OR ANIMALS?
FATHER: OH, THEY SAY THAT THERE ARE MANY STRANGE
THINGS HAPPENING IN THAT FOREST. FOR ONE, THERE WAS THE
TIME...
2) ONE OF THE MEN IN THE TOWN WENT TO THE MARKET TO SELL
HIS GOODS. AFTER BEING DELAYED IN TOWN, HE HAD TO COME
HOME LATE AT NIGHT AND TO CROSS THAT FOREST. MOREOVER,
THE MOON WAS OUT. HE WAS RIGHT BY WHERE THE BRIDGE
WAS SAINT JOHN'S CROSS...AND HE SEES: BY SAINT JOHN'S
CROSS, THERE WERE DANCING YOUNG GIRLS DRESSED IN WHITE
AND SEEMED AS IF THEY WERE FLOATING ON AIR. BUT THEN
HE LOOKED TO THE OTHER SIDE AND HE SAW A NAKED MAN
ROLLING AND LAUGHING IN THE SNOW. HE (THE FARMER)
SAID THAT EVERY HAIR ON HIS HEAD STOOD ON END AND SPED
HOME LIKE HE NEVER HAD BEFORE! HE WONDERED FOR A LONG
TIME AFTER THAT HOW HE MANAGED TO "ESCAPE" ALIVE THAT
NIGHT.
ME: DID YOU BELIEVE HIM?
FATHER: ALL US YOUNGER KIDS DID, WE WERE TOO YOUNG.
OF COURSE, IT COULD'VE BEEN HIS IMAGINATION.
ME: DID YOU HEAR ANY OTHER STORIES ABOUT PIESTUPYS?
FATHER: YES, BUT VERY VERY SHORT ONES.
FOR EXAMPLE, SOMEONE SAID THAT THEY SAW AND HEARD A
BLACK PONY RUNNING ALONG THE SLOPES OF THE FOREST.
OR SOMETIMES OTHERS SAY THAT THEY'VE SEEN A GRAY OLD
GOAT BLEETING {BLEATING} UNDER A TREE.
ME: BUT WHAT IS IT MAINLY THAT SCARED THE PEOPLE
SO MUCH?
FATHER: WELL, THERE IN THE FOREST, THREE THIEVES HUNG
THEMSELVES AND THEY'RE BURIED UNDER SOME PINE TREES
SIDE BY SIDE. AND THE PEOPLE USED TO SAY THAT THEY
STARTED ARGUING WHO ROBBED MORE PEOPLE AND WHO STOLE
THE MOST RICHES, AND AFTER A WHILE, THEY HAD RISEN ALL
THE OTHER DEAD AND TAKEN SIDES. BUT IT WAS REALLY OF
THOSE THREE THIEVES THAT EVERYONE WAS AFRAID OF.
ME: WERE YOU EVER IN THAT FOREST AND HAVE SOMETHING
HAPPEN TO YOU?
FATHER: YES, RIGHT BEFORE EASTER, MY YOUNGER SISTER
AND I HAD TO GET UP IN THE DARK TO GO TO RECOLLECTIONS.
AND FROM OUR VILLAGE TO THE TOWN AND CHURCH WAS TO GO
THROUGH THE FOREST. SO WE SET OUT...STILL DARK. I
HAD NEVER REALLY THOUGHT MUCH OF THOSE STORIES I HAD
HEARD, BUT NOW THEY ALL CAME BACK VIVIDLY. SO HALF
WAY THERE, I PICKED OUT LONG STRONG PIECES OF WOOD FOR
MY SISTER AND I TO PROTECT OURSELVES--MAINLY FROM THE
DOGS.
WE HAD PASSED HALF OF THE FOREST PEACEFULLY, BUT SUDDENLY
UP AHEAD, WE SAW A THING COMING--IT HAD A HUMAN SHAPE
AND WALKED LIKE A HUMAN. WE BOTH THOUGHT IT WAS ONE OF
THE DEAD, SO WE BOTH SAT DOWN HUGGING EACH OTHER, HOPING
THAT THE THING WOULD PASS. SUDDENLY, I HEARD THE THING
REAL CLOSE BY AND SHUT MY EYES. BUT THEN IT GAVE US THE
LITHUANIAN GREETING: "MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOU." AND
MY SISTER ANSWERED! IT TURNED OUT TO BE A MIDDLE-AGED
WOMAN DRESSED IN A WHITE FUR COAT! SHE ASKED US IF WE
WERE GOING TO CHURCH AND THEN JUST WENT ON HER WAY.
ME: DIDN'T YOU THINK IT COULD'VE BEEN A SPIRIT?
FATHER: I WAS LITTLE THEN, BUT I KNEW A REAL PERSON
WHEN I SAW ONE! AFTER THAT, I WALKED ON AS BRAVELY
AS EVER AND WAS NEVER SCARED TO GO IN THERE AGAIN!
ME: WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER PEOPLE? DID YOU TELL THEM
WHAT HAPPENED?
FATHER: OH, SURE! BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY DON'T
USUALLY PICK ON LITTLE KIDS.
ME: WERE THERE ANY OTHER INCIDENTS ABOUT THAT FOREST?
FATHER: OH, SURE! I THINK SO-CALLED HAPPENINGS WERE
REPORTED ALL THE TIME UP TO THE TAKEOVER IN 1941. BUT
I DOUBT IT IF MANY OF THE PEOPLE BELIEVED THE STORIES
UP TILL THEN!
ME: DO YOU KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THE FOREST NOW?
FATHER: THE LAST I HEARD WAS THAT HALF OF IT IS
DESTROYED. BY BOMBINGS AND SHELLING AND THE RUSSIANS
DID CUT DOWN MANY, MANY TREES FOR THEIR OWN USE.
Where learned: SOUTHFIELD ; LITHUANIA ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): TROUBLED SPIRITS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THERE WAS A DOCTOR, WHO AS A LITTLE BOY, LIVED IN A TOWN
WHERE A WITCH RESIDED. EVERYONE WAS ALWAYS WARNED NOT
TO GO BY THE WITCH'S SHACK. ONE DAY, HE HAD TO GET
SOME MEDICINE FOR HIS SICK MOTHER, AND HE DECIDED
TO TAKE THE ROAD THAT WENT PAST THE WITCH'S HOUSE.
AS HE WENT BY, A BIG, BLACK CAT JUMPED ON HIS HORSE.
HE MANAGED TO BEAT IT OFF. THE NEXT MORNING, THE
TOWNSPEOPLE FOUND THE WITCH IN A SHED DYING, WITH
SLASHES ALL OVER HER BODY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 03-22-1972
MY FAMILY IS FROM THE SOUTH, ONCE I REMEMBERED MY UNCLE
TELLING ME, AS HE WAS WALKING DOWN THE ROAD, ON HIS
WAY HOME, HE TURNED AROUND AND LOOK{ED} IN BACK OF
HIM AND HE SAW A DOG. EVERYTIME HE TURNED AROUND, THE
DOG GOT BIGGER AND BIGGER. MY UNCLE SAID HE TOOK
OFF RUNNING.
Submitter comment: THIS DOG WAS A HANK AND HANKS ARE GHOSTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MY GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER, SHAHEEN, WAS A GIANT OF A
MAN. HE WAS THE WONDER OF THE AREA. HE WORKED AT A
MILL, WHICH USED GREAT MILL STONES WHICH WERE CARRIED
BY CAMELS BECAUSE MULES WEREN'T STRONG ENOUGH. AT
CHURCH, THE PRIEST ASKED VILLAGERS TO HELP SHAHEEN MOVE
HIS MILLSTONES INTO PLACE ON THE WALL. WHEN THEY GOT
TO THE MILL, THEY FOUND SHAHEEN HAD ALREADY PUT THE
GREAT STONES IN PLACE AND WAS ALREADY WORKING.
ONCE SHAHEEN FELL INTO THE STREAM BY THE MILL.
NORMALLY, HE COULD SWIM OUT, BUT THE STREAM WAS SWOLLEN
BY THE SPRING THAW. ALSO, HIS LARGE PANTS AND SHOES
DRAGGED HIM TO THE BOTTOM. THE WATER CARRIED HIM 4 MILES
DOWNSTREAM WHERE HE CAUGHT HOLD OF A ROCK IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE STREAM. HE CALLED SO LOUD THAT THE MEN AT THE MILL
FOUR MILES AWAY HEARD HIM AND GOT HELP. HE WAS SO BIG
ONLY HIS STRONG SON COULD CARRY HIM BACK TO THE MILL.
ONCE SHAHEEN WOKE UP AND STARTED TO PUT HIS SHOES ON
WHEN SOMETHING STARTED WIGGLING INSIDE. HE TURNED HIS
SHOES UPSIDE DOWN AND THREE CATS CAME OUT. HIE SHOES
WERE SO BIG THAT HIS GRANDAUGHTER USED TO PLAY "HOUSE"
IN THEM.
SHAHEEN FINALLY DIED AT THE AGE OF 105, A VERY OLD AGE
IN LEBANON IN THOSE DAYS. HE WAS SOUND OF MIND, BUT
FAILED BY HIS GREAT BODY.
HE ASKED TO BE BURIED WITH HIS FATHER, WHO HAD DIED A
LONG TIME BEFORE. YEARS LATER THEY UNEARTHED HIS
BONES TO BE PUT IN HIS OWN GRAVE. HIS BONES PROVED TO
BE 7-1/2 FEET TALL AS MANY PEOPLE WHO SAW THEM ATTESTED.
FROM HIS HIP BONE TO HIS FEET, HE WAS ALMOST AS TALL AS
A NORMAL MAN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; LEBANON
Keyword(s): FAMILY ; Giant ; Legend
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
Entry filtered.
A HORSE WAS ONCE OWNED BY A MAN WHO USED TO COLLECT JUNK.
THIS HORSE USED TO PULL THE JUNK WAGON FOR THE MAN.
THE STRANGE THING ABOUT THIS HORSE, IS THAT IT USED
TO CHANGE COLOR WITH THE SEASONS. THE HORSE WAS A
BASIC BLACK IN COLOR, BUT IN WINTER HE WOULD CHANGE
COLOR TO AN IRON GREY, IN SUMMER TIME HE WOULD GAIN
SORT OF GREEN TINT, AND IN SPRING HIS COLOR CHANGED
TO BROWN.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT ACTUALLY SAW THIS PENOMENAL ANIMAL
CHANGE COLORS AND THEREFORE HAS NO REASON TO DISBELIEVE
IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-07-1971
THE LOPEY HORSE
A FARMER HAD A HORSE THAT HE COULDN'T BREAK FOR
RIDING. THE HORSE WOULD REAR UP AND FALL ON ITS
BACK OR ELSE TURN A FOREWARD SOMMERSAULT WHEN
ANYONE TRIED TO RIDE IT. THE FARMER SAID HE WOULD
GIVE FIVE DOLLARS TO ANYONE THAT COULD BREAK HIM.
ONE SUNDAY, I WENT TO WATCH A BUNCH OF BOYS TRY TO
RIDE IT, BUT NONE OF THEM COULD DO IT. I TOLD THE
FARMER THAT IF HE WOULD LET ME TAKE IT HOME, I WOULD
HAVE IT BROKE IN A WEEKS TIME. HE SAID YES AND I
TOOK IT HOME AND PUT HIM TO PLOWING FOR A WEEK. FROM
THEN ON, WHEN ANYONE TRIED TO RIDE IT, ALL HE HAD TO
SAY WAS 'GET UP.' THE HORSE WOULD THINK IT WAS
STILL IN THE PLOW HARNESS AND COULD BE RIDDEN.
Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS TOLD AS TRUTH. IT IS NOT A TALL TALE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): BREAKING IN A HORSE ; PERSONAL NARRATIVE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-08-1968
STRETCHING THE LOG
BACK IN POLAND, MANY YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A FARMER WHO WAS
BUILDING A BARN. HAVING CUT ONE OF THE LOGS TOO SHORT, THE
FARMER CALLED TO HIS NEIGHBOR TO BRING HIS OXEN. THE TWO
FARMERS HITCHED BOTH OF THEIR ANIMALS TO THE SHORT LOG AND
PULLED IT UNTIL IT WAS THE RIGHT SIZE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS 81 YEARS OLD.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wood Gourd ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Animal housingBarnPen |
Date learned: 01-20-1968