Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE CARPENTER'S ROAD LEGEND
TWO COUPLES WENT TO THE PROM AND THEN OUT TO PARK ON CARPENTER'S
ROAD, WHICH IS A DESERTED ROAD IN THE WOODS OF BEAVERCREEK. WHILE
NECKING, THEY HEARD A KNOCKING AND SCRATCHING NOISE OUTSIDE. ONE
OF THE BOYS WENT OUT TO CHECK IT OUT. AND AFTER A LONG WORRISOME
WAIT DURING WHICH HE HADN'T RETURNED, THE SECOND BOY LEFT. AGAIN
AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, THEY STILL HADN'T RETURNED, SO ONE GIRL WENT
FOR HELP WHILE THE OTHER WAITED. THE LAST GIRL FINALLY LEFT AND
FOUND THE POLICE. AFTER A LONG SEARCH, THE THREE WERE FOUND. THE
TWO BOYS WERE ENTIRELY CHEWED UP, BLOODY AND JUST TOTALLY MUTILA-
TED. THE GIRL, WITH HER HAIR, ONCE BRUNETTE, NOW HAD STARK WHITE
HAIR STANDING ON END AND HAD DIED OF FRIGHT. NOW NOBODY KNOWS
IF THIS IS TRUE BUT NO ONE GOES THERE UNLESS HE'S LOOKING FOR A
SCARE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 12-02-1969
INDIAN LEGEND
LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE COMMANDER OF FORT MACKINAC IN THE LATE
18TH CENTURY FELL IN LOVE WITH AN INDIAN GIRL, AND SHE WITH HIM.
HE WAS THROWN TO HIS DEATH FROM A BLUFF, NOW NAMED ROBINSON'S
FOLLY, BY A JEALOUS INDIAN BRAVE.
Submitter comment:
HE DID DIE THIS WAY, BUT SOME SAY THAT INTOXICATION, NOT INFATUA-
TION, WAS THE REAL CAUSE OF HIS DOWNFALL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01-30-1968
LEGEND
THERE IS A LEGEND AT KISSING ROCK ON THE GROUNDS OF WEST POINT
THAT IF A FELLOW TAKES HIS HAT OFF AND THE GIRL HE IS WITH REFUSES
TO KISS HIM, THE ROCK WILL FALL AND KILL HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 12-05-1967
THE LEGEND OF BEAUMONT TOWER
AT MSU (MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY), WHENEVER A VIRGIN WALKS
UNDERNEATH THE TOWER, A SPIKE FALLS FROM ONE OF THE TOWERS.
ALL THE SPIKES REMAIN INTACT UPON THE TOWER EVEN TODAY.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM A FELLOW DORMIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- School BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 09-00-1967
THE MAIDEN TOWER
THE MAIDEN TOWER IS A PART OF THE WALL AROUND VISBY, GOTLAND, AND
IS ASSOCIATED WITH A PEASANT'S DAUGHTER WHO BETRAYED THE CITY FOR
THE LOVE OF THE DANISH KING, VALDEMAR. AS A PUNISHMENT, SHE IS
SAID TO HAVE BEEN IMMURED ALIVE IN THE TOWER.
Data entry tech comment: WHILE "IMMURED" CAN MEAN SIMPLY IMPRISONED, IN THIS CASE IT SEEMS
Where learned: SWEDEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01-21-1968
THE HOOK
A COUPLE WAS PARKING ONE NIGHT IN A FOREST PRESERVE. THEY LOOKED
UP AND SAW A MAN TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE BOY STARTED THE
MOTOR AND THEY TORE OUT OF THERE. ON THE WAY HOME THEY HEARD ON
THE RADIO THAT A MAN WITH A HOOK INSTEAD OF A HAND HAD ESCAPED
FROM PRISON. WHEN THE COUPLE ARRIVED HOME, THEY FOUND A HOOK
HANGING ON THE CAR DOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 01-19-1968
COLLEEN BAWN ROCK
THERE IS A SPELL OVER ONE OF THE LAKES OF KILLARNEY. COLLEEN
BAWN (FAIR-HAIRED GIRL) WAS COUNT O'DONOGHUE'S DAUGHTER.
O'DONOGHUE WAS A FIERCE WARRIOR WHO JEALOUSLY DEFENDED KILLARNEY
FROM NEIGHBORING WARRIORS IN CORK. COLLEEN BAWN FELL IN LOVE
WITH A WARRIOR FROM CORK, AND SHE WANTED TO MARRY HIM. O'DONOGHUE
WAS SO FURIOUS THAT HE HAD HIS SOLDIERS TAKE HER OUT ON THE LAKE
TO BE THROWN ON A ROCK SO THAT SHE WOULD DIE OF HUNGER. SHE WAS
HEARD WAILING FOR MILES AROUND. THE PEOPLE COULD SEE HER FROM
THE SHORE, BECAUSE SHE WAS DRESSED IN A LONG WHITE DRESS.
FINALLY, COLLEEN DIED ON THE ROCK, WHICH IS NOW CALLED COLLEEN
BAWN ROCK. TO THIS DAY, IT IS DANGEROUS TO ROW YOUR BOAT AROUND
THE ROCK, BECAUSE COLLEEN'S SPIRIT IS UNDER THE LAKE. THE
CURRENTS ON THE LAKE ARE FROM HER SIGHING. WHEN SHE GETS ANGRY,
IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE OUT ON THE LAKE, YOU CAN GET DROWNED--THIS
HAPPENED TO THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN HER SPELL. ALSO, ON
RAINY NIGHTS WHEN THE FOG HOVERS OVER THE LAKE, COLLEEN BAWN
HAS BEEN SEEN WALKING ON THE WATER, TRYING TO REACH THE SHORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1970
THE HOOK
THIS LEGEND IS POPULAR AMONG TEENAGERS AND I'D LIKE TO RECITE ONE
VERSION THAT I HAVE HEARD. ONE NIGHT, A TEENAGE COUPLE WENT TO A
LOCAL LOVERS' LANE FOR THE OPOPORTUNITY TO BE ALONE. ON THIS SAME
NIGHT, THE GIRL HAD HEARD ON THE RADIO THAT AN INMATE OF A NEARBY
ASYLUM HAD ESCAPED AND THAT HE WAS A HOMICIDAL MANIAC, AND THAT HE
HAD ONLY ONE HAND AND ON THE OTHER HAND THERE WAS A HOOK.
THE COUPLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR A WHILE, LISTENING TO THE RADIO
AND DRINKING BEER. THE GIRL, ALL OF A SUDDEN, HAD A STRANGE
INTUITION THAT THERE WAS DANGER AROUND AND THAT THEY SHOULD LEAVE.
NATURALLY, THE BOY REASSURED HER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO WORRY
ABOUT, BUT SHE PERSISTED AND PERSISTED, UNTIL THE BOY LOST HIS
PATIENCE, PULLED THE GEAR SHIFT INTO FIRST AND LEFT THE LANE.
HE TOOK THE GIRL HOME AND CONTINUOUSLY REMINDED THE GIRL THAT SHE
WAS CRAZY TO THINK THAT THE FIEND WAS ANYWHERE AROUND THE LANE.
WHEN THEY REACHED HER HOUSE, HE GOT OUT TO LET HER OUT AND ON THE
REAR DOOR HANDLE THERE WAS A STRANGE OBJECT HANGING THERE--A HOOK.
Where learned: NEW HAMPSHIRE ; MILFORD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
TALE
WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL IN EUCLID, OHIO, THERE WAS A STORY
MAKING THE ROUNDS ABOUT A COUPLE WHO HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE
LOCAL LOVER'S LAND IN METROPOLITAN PARK. IT SEEMS THEY HAD
THE RADIO ON AND HEARD A NEWS REPORT ABOUT A PROWLER WHO HAD
KILLED SEVERAL YOUNG COUPLES THAT HE HAD FOUND IN PARKED CARS.
HE WAS AN ESCAPEE FROM ONE OF THE VETERANS' HOSPITALS. HE WAS
A VETERAN OF WW II OR KOREA, THIS VARIES. ANYWAY, HIS HANDS HAD
BEEN BLOWN OFF WHEN A BOMB THAT HE WAS DEACTIVATING WENT OFF.
HE HAD HOOKS ON HIS WRISTS INSTEAD OF HANDS. HIS MIND HAD
SNAPPED WITH THE SHOCK AND HE WAS CONFINED IN A MENTAL WARD,
UNTIL HE ESCAPED. THE GIRL BECAME FRIGHTENED AND INSISTED HER
BOYFRIEND TAKE HER HOME IMMEDIATELY. HE REVVED UP THE MOTOR,
BACKED UP AND TOOK OFF FOR HOME. WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR
AT HER HOUSE AND WENT OVER TO OPEN HER DOOR, HE NOTICED SOMETHING
HANGING ON THE BACK BUMPER OF THE CAR. HE TOOK HIS GIRL IN AND
CAME BACK TO INVESTIGATE. WHAT HE HAD SEEN WERE TWO HOOKS LOCKED
ON THE BUMPER, THE TYPE USED AS SUBSTITUTES FOR AMPUTATED HANDS.
HE VAGUELY REMEMBERED A SLIGHT JARRING OF THE CAR AS HE BACKED
UP AND TOOK OFF AT TOP SPEED OUT OF METROPOLITAN PARK.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
A POLISH TALE
THERE IS POLISH TALE THAT TELLS ABOUT A PEASANT WHO WALKS ALL
THE WAY FROM POSNAN TO KOZIMIERZ, POLAND, WHERE THE KING
(KAZIMIERZ THE GREAT, 1300'S) RESIDED. THE PEASANT WANTS TO
COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LORD OF HIS MANOR WHO HAD KIDNAPPED HIS
WIFE RIGHT FROM THE WEDDING PROCESSION ON THE ROAD. HE HADN'T
SEEN HER SINCE THE KIDNAPPING.
WHEN THE PEASANT REACHES KOZIMIERZ, HE STOPS AT THE MARKET PLACE
WELL TO REST. AMONG THE MERCHANTS IN THE CROWD IS THE KING, WHO
STOPS AND QUESTIONS THE PEASANT. HE THEN EXPLAINS HIS COMPLAINT
AND PURPOSE. THE KING TAKES HIM TO THE CHURCH FOR THE NIGHT
WHERE THE PRIEST HAS THE PEASANT DRAW HIS COMPLAINT ON PAPER, AS
ALL COMPLAINTS WOULD BE ATTENDED TO THE NEXT DAY BY THE KING AND
VISITING LORDS. THE PEASANT DRAWS THE ROAD AND THE MANOR AROUND
IT.
AT THE POINT WHERE THE WIFE WAS TAKEN, THE PRIEST DREW A SKULL.
MEANWHILE, THE KING WAS RETURNING TO HIS CASTLE DOWN THE ROAD.
ON THIS SAME ROAD WAS ARRIVING THE LORD OF THE MANOR IN POZNAN
TO VISIT THE KING. HE APPROACHED WITH MUCH MUSIC AND FESTIVITY
IN ORDER TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION. ON THE ROAD NEAR THE CASTLE
THE LORD NOTICED IN THE DARK A FORM MOVING ALONG. THINKING IT
WAS SOME PEASANT IN THE WAY, HE CALLS THE PEDESTRIAN A BUM AND
WANTS TO HIT HIM. JUST THEN, THE FORM, WHO WAS REALLY THE KING,
ORDERS THE LORD TO STOP AND IDENTIFIES HIMSELF.
THE NEXT DAY THE COMPLAINTS WERE BEING EXAMINED BY THE KING AND
LORDS AND THE COMPLAINT OF THE PEASANT CAME UP. THE KING EX-
PLAINED THE PICTURE BY SAYING THAT A LORD HAD KILLED THE WIFE OF
A PEASANT ON THE ROAD, INDICATED BY THE SKULL. EVERYONE WAS
SHOCKED BY THE ACTION. THE KING ASKED EACH LORD WHAT PUNISHMENT
SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN FOR THE CRIME, AND WHEN HE CAME TO (THE)
GUILTY LORD, HE SAID THE PUNISHMENT SHOULD BE STARVATION. THE
KING THEN ANNOUNCED THAT THE LORD HAD COMMITTED (IT) HIMSELF, AND
THUS THE LORD WAS THROWN INTO THE DUNGEON BENEATH THE CASTLE TOWER
WITH ONLY SOME BREAD AND WATER, WHERE HE SOON DIED.
Submitter comment: MY GRANDFATHER REMEMBERS THIS TALE FROM HIS CHILDHOOD DAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
WEDDING CUSTOM
NANCY HONKS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME GONE. AT HER FOURTH WEDDING
RECEPTION THE GROOM IN REMOVING THE GARTER TO THROW TO THE MALE
GUESTS, HE CAME UP WITH A VARICOSE VEIN. THERE WAS NO HONEYMOON.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 02-01-1971
THE HOOK
A TEENAGE COUPLE WAS OUT ON A DATE. THE BOY PULLED ONTO AN OLD
DIRT ROAD AND STOPPED SO THAT THEY COULD DO SOME NECKING. AS THE
BOY AND GIRL PROCEEDED, THEY HEARD A NEWS BULLETIN ON THE RADIO
WHICH SAID THAT A DANGEROUS CONVICT HAD ESCAPED FROM PRISON AND
WAS IN THE VICINITY THE COUPLE WERE PARKED. IT ALSO SAID THAT THE
CONVICT HAD A STEEL HOOK FOR ONE HAND. THE GIRL WANTED TO LEAVE
BUT THE BOY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE AGRAID OF. SO THEY
STAYED UNTIL THEY HEARD THE NEWS BULLETIN AGAIN. THE GIRL
INSISTED THAT THE BOY TAKE HER HOME. THE BOY AGREED AND DROVE
OFF. THE BOY PULLED IN FRONT OF THE GIRL'S HOME AND WENT AROUND
TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR HIS DATE. AS
HE REACHED FOR THE DOOR HANDLE HE SUDDENLY JUMPED BACK STARTLED,
FOR ON THE DOOR HANDLE DANGLED AN IRON HOOK LIKE THAT DESCRIBED
AS THE HAND OF THE CONVICT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
MAN WITH A HOOK: TALE
JUST OUTSIDE BOSTON IS A PLACE WHERE COUPLES PARK TO TALK, AND
MANY COUPLES ARE USUALLY THERE IN THEIR CARS. ONE NIGHT ONLY ONE
CAR WAS THERE ON A MOONLESS NIGHT. THE COUPLE HAPPENED TO HEAR
ON THE RADIO THAT AN INMANTE OF AN ASYLUM HAD ESCAPED AND WAS IN
THE AREA. THE REPORT SAID THAT HE WAS MISSING A HAND AND HAD A
HOOK INSTEAD. JUST THEN THEY HEARD A NOISE OUTSIDE AND HURRIEDLY
LEFT THE SPOT. WHEN THEY REACHED THE GIRL'S HOUSE, THE BOY WENT
TO OPEN THE GIRL'S DOOR AND THERE WAS THE HOOK ON THE DOOR HANDLE
ON A BLOODY STUMP.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
SLEEPY HOLLOW STORY
ONE NIGHT A YOUNG COUPLE WENT TO SLEEPY HOLLOW TO MAKE OUT. WHEN
THEY WERE READY TO LEAVE, THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE BOY WENT TO
GET HELP AND THE GIRL LOCKED ALL THE DOORS, CURLED UP, AND FELL
FAST ASLEEP. SOMETIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT SHE WOKE UP TO
A SCRATCHING SOUND ON THE ROOF, LIKE A TREE BRANCH BRUSHING ACROSS
THE ROOF IN THE WIND. THE NEXT MORNING THE COPS CAME AND WOKE HER
UP. WHEN SHE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, SHE SAW HER BOYFRIEND HANGING
ABOVE THE CAR, SHOES GONE AND HIS TOENAILS SCRAPING THE ROOF.
VARIATION: THE SOUND WAS A THUMPING AND THE BOY'S HEELS WERE
BUMPING ON THE ROOF.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Date learned: 10-00-1968
THE PRESERVED TONGUE
ONE OF HIS (FATHER PLANCK'S) FORMER STUDENTS WAS MAKING OUT WITH
HIS GIRL FRIEND AND THEY STARTED FRENCHING. THERE WAS A SUDDEN
NOISE AND WHEN THE GIRL JUMPED, SHE BIT HER BOY FRIEND'S TONGUE
OFF. FATHERPLANCK THEN PRODUCED THE TONGUE, OR WHAT LOOKED LIKE
THE TONGUE, IN A JAR OF ALCOHOL. "LET THIS BE A LESSON TO YOU
BOYS," HE WOULD THEN PROCLAIM.
Submitter comment:
FATHERPLANCK OF ST. XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL IN LOUISVILLE USED TO TELL
THIS STORY TO HIS BIOLOGY CLASSES.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ; LOUISVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
KNOCK KNOCK STREET
LOCATED ON ROBERT JOHN STREET IN GROSSE POINTE. WHEN A CAR IS
DRIVEN OVER IT, A KNOCKING SOUND IS MADE. THE STORY BEHIND IT
IS THAT A BOY WAS TAKING HIS GIRLFRIEND ON ROBERT JOHN AND WHEN
HE DROPPED HER OFF, HER COAT GOT CAUGHT IN THE DOOR AND HE DROVE
OFF WITH HER HANGING FROM THE DOOR. SHE KNOCKED ON HIS DOOR TO
TELL HIM SHE WAS THERE, BUT WHEN HE FINALLY STOPPED, SHE WAS
DEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
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
IF THERE ARE FOUR PEOPLE GREETING ONE ANOTHER AND TWO
OF THEM SHAKE HANDS ACROSS THE HAND SHAKE OF THE OTHER
TWO, THERE WILL BE A WEDDING.
Submitter comment:
MRS.. MALONY LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD. SHE WAS
BORN AND RAISED IN IRELAND.
Where learned: DETROIT ; RECTORY ; IRELAND ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; HOLY NAME
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-19-1967
WHEN TWO PEOPLE SHAKE HANDS AND TWO OTHER PEOPLE SHAKE
HANDS ACROSS THE FIRST COUPLE, THERE IS GOING TO
BE A WEDDING IN THE FAMILY.
Submitter comment:
MRS. BERGER LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS
A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 02-19-1967
IN ITALY, IF A GIRL IS PINCHED BY A GUY IN THE REAR,
SHE IS SUPPOSED TO TAKE IT AS A COMPLIMENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; DORMS
James Callow Keyword(s): BUTTOCKS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage SPEECH -- Congratulations Appreciation Appreciation of female beauty |
Date learned: 10-02-1969