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GREEN GROWS

DURING THE TEXAS-MEXICAN WAR AT MID-NINETEENTH CENTURY, AMERICAN
SOLDIERS SANG "GREEN GROWS THE LAUREL":
GREEN GROWS THE LARUEL, ALL SPARKLING WITH DEW,
I'M LONELY, MY DARLING, SINCE PARTING FROM YOU.
BUT BY THE NEXT MEETING I HOPE TO PROVE TRUE,
AND CHANGE THE GREEN LAUREL FOR THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE.
THE MEXICANS, SEIZING UPON THE FIRST WORDS OF THE SONG, CALLED
THE AMERICANS "GRINGOES," A NAME WHICH HAS STUCK TO AMERICANS
SOUTH OF THE BORDER TO THIS DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
SPEECH -- Vocabulary of Special Group

Date learned: 09-17-1965

View just this record

TALL TALE

AN AMERICAN SOLDIER WAS TRAPPED ON HILL 837 IN KOREA (1951) WITH
A .45 PISTOL CONTAINING ONE BULLET AND A BAYONET. HE SAW FOUR
OF THE ENEMY APPROACHING THE HILL. INTENDING TO HOLD THE HILL,
HE STUCK HIS BAYONET IN A LOG ABOUT TEN FEET IN FRONT OF THE HILL,
AND WAITED FOR THE ENEMY. WHEN THEY WERE IN RANGE, HE SHOT HIS
ONLY BULLET AT THE BAYONET, WHICH SPLIT THE BULLET IN HALF. THE
LEFT HALF OF THE BULLET KILLED ONE MAN, THE RIGHT HALF KILLED
THE OTHER, AND THE IMPACT FROM THE BULLET FLUNG THE BAYONET, WHICH
STRUCK THE THIRD MAN BETWEEN THE EYES. "WHAT HAPPENED TO THE
FOURTH MAN?" HE DIED FROM THE SHOCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535

Date learned: 04-03-1970

View just this record

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

View just this record

LONG LOST FRIENDSHIP

INFORMANT FLEW TO AUSTRALIA DURING COMBAT DUTY. FOR TWO WEEKS
THEY WERE ALLOWED TO GO SOMEPLACE IN THE EAST. THIS WAS DURING
BOB HOPE'S CHRISTMAS SHOW IN VIETNAM. DURING "SILENT NIGHT" IT
STARTED RAINING REALLY HARD SO INFORMANT PUT HIS COAT ON A GUY
WHO WAS WOUNDED IN BOTH LEGS. AND FINALLY, AT THE END, INFORMANT
REALIZED THIS WOUNDED SAILOR HAD BEEN A REALLY GOOD BUDDY OF HIS
IN HIGH SCHOOL. INFORMANT HADN'T SEEN HIM FOR A LONG TIME AND
HAD NO IDEA HE WAS EVEN IN THE SERVICE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535

Date learned: 11-22-1971

View just this record

JOCKEY HOLLOW, NEW JERSEY

AT THIS PLACE, THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMY UNDER WASHINGTON SPENT A
BITTER WINTER HERE. THE WINTER WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WORSE THAN THE
ONE AT VALLEY FORGE. THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A LEGEND THAT THE
HOLLOW IS HAUNTED BECAUSE ALL OF THE MEN IN THE HOSPITAL DIED AND
THEIR SPIRITS GUARD THE HOLLOW. ALSO, EVERY FEBRUARY 5, SOMEONE
IS SUPPOSED TO BE KILLED THERE.

Submitter comment: LEROY LEARNED THIS WHILE VACATIONING NEAR THE HOLLOW.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 5
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 09-25-1967

View just this record

SPRINGFIELD, NEW JERSEY

THE BRITISH WERE COMING DOWN THE STREET AND THE SOLDIERS THAT
WERE DEFENDING THE SPRINGFIELD CHURCH HAD RUN OUT OF PACKING
FOR THEIR RIFLES, SO THE MINISTER WHO HAD BEEN READING OUT OF
THE WATTS HYMNAL AT THE TIME GATHERED UP ALL THE HYMNALS AND
GAVE THEM TO THE SOLDIERS. IN THE PROCESS OF DISTRIBUTING THE
HYMNALS, HE EXCLAIMED, "GIVE THEM WATTS" AND THE SOLDIERS
USED THE HYMNALS FOR PACKING.

Submitter comment: LEROY LEARNED THIS WHEN HE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535

Date learned: 04-25-1967

View just this record

THE LEGEND OF THE LESZEKS AND POPIELS

AFTER THE DEATH OF WANDA, THE LEGENDARY HEROINE AND RULER OF
CRACOW, THERE RULED A GROUP OF TWELVE PALATINES. THEY FEARED
THAT SOME ENEMY WAS APPROACHING FROM RUMORS THAT WERE GOING AROUND
IN THE COUNTRYSIDE. THE ENEMY WAS SCARED OFF BY THE FORESIGHT
AND INGENUITY OF A YOUNG GOLDSMITH, LESZEK.
ON THE BUSHES AND TREES HE HUNG UP THE SHIELDS, SHINY ONES, AND
HELMETS OF THE ARMY. WHEN THE ENEMY SAW THE MULTITUDE OF THESE
SHIELDS AND HELMETS FROM FAR OFF, THEY QUICKLY LEFT, AFRAID OF
THE "LARGE ARMY" THAT AWAITED THEM. ABOUT 760 A.D. LESZEK BEGAN
HIS REIGN. HE IS ALSO KNOWN AS PRZEMYSTAIN, "AN INGENIOUS
PERSON."
WHEN LESZEK DIED, HE LEFT NO SON. THE KINGDOM, THEREFORE, HELD
A HORSE RACE TO SEE WHO WOULD BE THE NEXT RULER. THERE WERE
FIFTEEN OR SO BRAVE VOLUNTEERS. ONE SCHEMING PARTICIPANT COVERED
THE ROAD OF THE RACE WITH NAILS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE RACE. HE
DREW HIMSELF A PATH IN THE SAND SO THAT HE COULD FOLLOW WITHOUT
HURTING HIS OWN HORSE. ANOTHER PARTICIPANT DISCOVERED THE TRICK
AND PUT IRON HORSE SHOES ON HIS OWN HORSE. HE WON THE RACE AND
BECAME LESZEK II.
AFTER SEVERAL RULERS CAME POPIEL I WHO TRANSFERRED THE CAPITOL
OF POLAND FROM CRACOW TO GNIEZNO, FROM WHICH THE KINGDOM ORIGINA-
TED. HE THEN TRANSFERRED, IT IS SAID, TO THE CITY OF KRUSZWICZ
NEAR THE LAKE OF GOPLO. IT WAS HIS SON, POPIEL II, WHO WAS A
VERY GLUTTONOUS AND WEAK CHARACTER. IT IS SAID THAT HE WAS BALD
AND HAD A THICK BEARD CALLED "CHWOSTEK." HE HAD A GERMAN WIFE
WHO WAS SAID TO BE WICKED AND CRUEL, AND WHO TEMPTED HER HUSBAND
OFTEN TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SITUATIONS AND DO WRONG.
IT WAS A CUSTOM AMONG THE SLAVS TO NAME THEIR SONS AFTER THEIR
SEVENTH BIRTHDAY. HIS HAIR WAS THEN CUT FOR THE FIRST TIME
AND A BIG FEAST WAS HELD WITH FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. POPIEL II
HELD SUCH A FEAST FOR HIS SON. MANY PEOPLE WERE INVITED.
AT THIS SAME TIME, TWO PILGRIMS CAME TO HIS CASTLE ASKING FOR
REFUGE, BUT POPIEL AND HIS WIFE ANGRILY CHASED THEM OUT. IN THE
EYES OF THE POLISH AND THE SLAVS IN GENERAL, SUCH BREAKING OF THE
LAWS OF HOSPITALITY WAS A SERIOUS CRIME. POPIEL SOON PAID FOR
IT.
IT IS SAID THAT THE TWO PILGRIMS WERE REALLY TWO ANGELS. OTHERS
SAY THEY WERE THE SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS ON A MISSION. BUT
THIS INCIDENT DID NOT CHANGE POPIEL. HE CONTINUED IN HIS DRUNKEN
REVELRIES AND CRIMES ONLY TO ESCAPE THE PANGS OF HIS GUILTY CON-
SCIENCE.
FINALLY, WITH COUNSEL OF HIS WIFE, HE HELD A FEAST FOR ALL HIS
RELATIVES IN ORDER TO "MAKE UP" FOR THE TIMES HE DID THEM WRONG.
HE REALLY BELIEVED THAT THESE PEOPLE WERE THE CAUSE OF HIS GUILTY
FEELINGS. AT THIS FEAST, HE POISONED EVERYONE.
IMMEDIATELY HIS PUNISHMENT FOLLOWED. FROM THE BODIES OF THE DEAD
CAME OUT HUNDREDS OF MICE. THESE MICE CHASED POPIEL AND HIS WIFE.
THEY TRIED TO HIDE IN A TOWER, BUT DID NOT SUCCEED AND WERE EATEN
UP BY THE MICE AS WELL AS WERE HIS PEOPLE. THIS TOWER, CALLED
"MICE TOWER" OR "THE TOWER OF POPIEL," STANDS IN THE CITY OF
KRUSZIVICA, POLAND.

Submitter comment: THESE LEGENDS I'VE KNOWN SINCE CHILDHOOD DAYS FROM MY PARENTS AS
WELL AS FROM MY LESSONS IN POLISH HISTORY I TOOK FROM MRS. HELEN
CHMIELEWSKI OF DETROIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Angel
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

A LEGEND OF POLAND'S BEGINNING

IN THE MOUNTAINS OF CHARWOYA THERE ARE TWO PROMINENT HEIGHTS,
KRAPINA AND PSARY, WITH RUINS OF CASTLES ON THEM. IT IS SAID
THAT THERE LIVED THREE BROTHERS, PAGAN SLAVIC PRINCES--LECH,
CZECH, AND RUS--SONS OF THE NOBLEMAN PANANOW. THEIR SISTER
WYLINDA, WHO FELL IN LOVE WITH AN ENEMY LEADER, CAUSED WAR UPON
THE SLAVIC ARMY AND A GREAT DEFEAT. THEY GAVE THEIR SISTER THE
DEATH PENALTY AND THEN LEFT THEIR HOME FOR GOOD.
THIS (WAS) ABOUT THE YEAR 550 A.D. WHEN THE BROTHERS CROSSED THE
DUNAJ RIVER AND WENT THEIR SEPARATE WAYS. LECH WENT WITH HIS
LEAGUE OF MEN TO THE RIVER WARTA, NEAR THE LAKE GOPTO, WHERE A
SLAVIC GROUP CALLED POLAMIE LIVED. WHEN HE ARRIVED AT SUNSET,
HE SAW A NEST IN THE TREES FROM WHERE A WHITE EAGLE HAD JUST
FLOWN OUT. AT THAT PLACE HE DECIDED TO SETTLE, NAMING THE
PLACE GNIEGNO (MEANING "NEST") AND FOUNDING THE KINGDOM NAMED
POLAKOMI (MEANING "AFTER LECH"). THE KINGDOM THEN TOOK AS THEIR
COAT OF ARMS THE HWITE EAGLE WITH OPEN WINGS FOR FLIGHT IN THE
FIELD OF RED.
IT IS ALSO TOLD THAT, AFTER MANY YEARS, THE BROTHERS OF LECH,
CZECH (FROM WHOM CAME THE CZECHS) AND RUS (THE FOUNDER OF THE
RUSSIAN PEOPLE) MET AGAIN AT THIS SAME PLACE. HERE THERE WAS A
CITY BUILT SOON AFTER IN HONOR OF THIS MEETING CALLED POZNAN.
IN POLISH IT MEANS "A MEETING." THIS CITY EXISTS TO THIS DAY,
POZNAN OR POSEN, POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

MARINE HISTORIC EVENT

THE REASON THAT OFFICERS HAVE X'S ON THE TOP OF THEIR HATS DATES
BACK TO THE BATTLE OF THE BONHOMME RICHARD AND THE SERAPIS. THERE
WERE MARINE SNIPERS IN THE RIGGING AND THEY HAD THE MARINES PUT
X'S ON THEIR HATS SO THEY WOULDN'T GET SHOT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
BELIEF -- Sign Color

Date learned: 03-08-1972

View just this record

GREEN GROWS

DURING THE TEXAS-MEXICAN WAR AT MID-NINETEENTH CENTURY, AMERICAN
SOLDIERS SANG "GREEN GROWS THE LAUREL":
GREEN GROWS THE LARUEL, ALL SPARKLING WITH DEW,
I'M LONELY, MY DARLING, SINCE PARTING FROM YOU.
BUT BY THE NEXT MEETING I HOPE TO PROVE TRUE,
AND CHANGE THE GREEN LAUREL FOR THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE.
THE MEXICANS, SEIZING UPON THE FIRST WORDS OF THE SONG, CALLED
THE AMERICANS "GRINGOES," A NAME WHICH HAS STUCK TO AMERICANS
SOUTH OF THE BORDER TO THIS DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
SPEECH -- Vocabulary of Special Group

Date learned: 09-17-1965

View just this record

TALL TALE

AN AMERICAN SOLDIER WAS TRAPPED ON HILL 837 IN KOREA (1951) WITH
A .45 PISTOL CONTAINING ONE BULLET AND A BAYONET. HE SAW FOUR
OF THE ENEMY APPROACHING THE HILL. INTENDING TO HOLD THE HILL,
HE STUCK HIS BAYONET IN A LOG ABOUT TEN FEET IN FRONT OF THE HILL,
AND WAITED FOR THE ENEMY. WHEN THEY WERE IN RANGE, HE SHOT HIS
ONLY BULLET AT THE BAYONET, WHICH SPLIT THE BULLET IN HALF. THE
LEFT HALF OF THE BULLET KILLED ONE MAN, THE RIGHT HALF KILLED
THE OTHER, AND THE IMPACT FROM THE BULLET FLUNG THE BAYONET, WHICH
STRUCK THE THIRD MAN BETWEEN THE EYES. "WHAT HAPPENED TO THE
FOURTH MAN?" HE DIED FROM THE SHOCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535

Date learned: 04-03-1970

View just this record

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

View just this record

LONG LOST FRIENDSHIP

INFORMANT FLEW TO AUSTRALIA DURING COMBAT DUTY. FOR TWO WEEKS
THEY WERE ALLOWED TO GO SOMEPLACE IN THE EAST. THIS WAS DURING
BOB HOPE'S CHRISTMAS SHOW IN VIETNAM. DURING "SILENT NIGHT" IT
STARTED RAINING REALLY HARD SO INFORMANT PUT HIS COAT ON A GUY
WHO WAS WOUNDED IN BOTH LEGS. AND FINALLY, AT THE END, INFORMANT
REALIZED THIS WOUNDED SAILOR HAD BEEN A REALLY GOOD BUDDY OF HIS
IN HIGH SCHOOL. INFORMANT HADN'T SEEN HIM FOR A LONG TIME AND
HAD NO IDEA HE WAS EVEN IN THE SERVICE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535

Date learned: 11-22-1971

View just this record

JOCKEY HOLLOW, NEW JERSEY

AT THIS PLACE, THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMY UNDER WASHINGTON SPENT A
BITTER WINTER HERE. THE WINTER WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WORSE THAN THE
ONE AT VALLEY FORGE. THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A LEGEND THAT THE
HOLLOW IS HAUNTED BECAUSE ALL OF THE MEN IN THE HOSPITAL DIED AND
THEIR SPIRITS GUARD THE HOLLOW. ALSO, EVERY FEBRUARY 5, SOMEONE
IS SUPPOSED TO BE KILLED THERE.

Submitter comment: LEROY LEARNED THIS WHILE VACATIONING NEAR THE HOLLOW.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 5
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 09-25-1967

View just this record

SPRINGFIELD, NEW JERSEY

THE BRITISH WERE COMING DOWN THE STREET AND THE SOLDIERS THAT
WERE DEFENDING THE SPRINGFIELD CHURCH HAD RUN OUT OF PACKING
FOR THEIR RIFLES, SO THE MINISTER WHO HAD BEEN READING OUT OF
THE WATTS HYMNAL AT THE TIME GATHERED UP ALL THE HYMNALS AND
GAVE THEM TO THE SOLDIERS. IN THE PROCESS OF DISTRIBUTING THE
HYMNALS, HE EXCLAIMED, "GIVE THEM WATTS" AND THE SOLDIERS
USED THE HYMNALS FOR PACKING.

Submitter comment: LEROY LEARNED THIS WHEN HE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535

Date learned: 04-25-1967

View just this record

THE LEGEND OF THE LESZEKS AND POPIELS

AFTER THE DEATH OF WANDA, THE LEGENDARY HEROINE AND RULER OF
CRACOW, THERE RULED A GROUP OF TWELVE PALATINES. THEY FEARED
THAT SOME ENEMY WAS APPROACHING FROM RUMORS THAT WERE GOING AROUND
IN THE COUNTRYSIDE. THE ENEMY WAS SCARED OFF BY THE FORESIGHT
AND INGENUITY OF A YOUNG GOLDSMITH, LESZEK.
ON THE BUSHES AND TREES HE HUNG UP THE SHIELDS, SHINY ONES, AND
HELMETS OF THE ARMY. WHEN THE ENEMY SAW THE MULTITUDE OF THESE
SHIELDS AND HELMETS FROM FAR OFF, THEY QUICKLY LEFT, AFRAID OF
THE "LARGE ARMY" THAT AWAITED THEM. ABOUT 760 A.D. LESZEK BEGAN
HIS REIGN. HE IS ALSO KNOWN AS PRZEMYSTAIN, "AN INGENIOUS
PERSON."
WHEN LESZEK DIED, HE LEFT NO SON. THE KINGDOM, THEREFORE, HELD
A HORSE RACE TO SEE WHO WOULD BE THE NEXT RULER. THERE WERE
FIFTEEN OR SO BRAVE VOLUNTEERS. ONE SCHEMING PARTICIPANT COVERED
THE ROAD OF THE RACE WITH NAILS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE RACE. HE
DREW HIMSELF A PATH IN THE SAND SO THAT HE COULD FOLLOW WITHOUT
HURTING HIS OWN HORSE. ANOTHER PARTICIPANT DISCOVERED THE TRICK
AND PUT IRON HORSE SHOES ON HIS OWN HORSE. HE WON THE RACE AND
BECAME LESZEK II.
AFTER SEVERAL RULERS CAME POPIEL I WHO TRANSFERRED THE CAPITOL
OF POLAND FROM CRACOW TO GNIEZNO, FROM WHICH THE KINGDOM ORIGINA-
TED. HE THEN TRANSFERRED, IT IS SAID, TO THE CITY OF KRUSZWICZ
NEAR THE LAKE OF GOPLO. IT WAS HIS SON, POPIEL II, WHO WAS A
VERY GLUTTONOUS AND WEAK CHARACTER. IT IS SAID THAT HE WAS BALD
AND HAD A THICK BEARD CALLED "CHWOSTEK." HE HAD A GERMAN WIFE
WHO WAS SAID TO BE WICKED AND CRUEL, AND WHO TEMPTED HER HUSBAND
OFTEN TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SITUATIONS AND DO WRONG.
IT WAS A CUSTOM AMONG THE SLAVS TO NAME THEIR SONS AFTER THEIR
SEVENTH BIRTHDAY. HIS HAIR WAS THEN CUT FOR THE FIRST TIME
AND A BIG FEAST WAS HELD WITH FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. POPIEL II
HELD SUCH A FEAST FOR HIS SON. MANY PEOPLE WERE INVITED.
AT THIS SAME TIME, TWO PILGRIMS CAME TO HIS CASTLE ASKING FOR
REFUGE, BUT POPIEL AND HIS WIFE ANGRILY CHASED THEM OUT. IN THE
EYES OF THE POLISH AND THE SLAVS IN GENERAL, SUCH BREAKING OF THE
LAWS OF HOSPITALITY WAS A SERIOUS CRIME. POPIEL SOON PAID FOR
IT.
IT IS SAID THAT THE TWO PILGRIMS WERE REALLY TWO ANGELS. OTHERS
SAY THEY WERE THE SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS ON A MISSION. BUT
THIS INCIDENT DID NOT CHANGE POPIEL. HE CONTINUED IN HIS DRUNKEN
REVELRIES AND CRIMES ONLY TO ESCAPE THE PANGS OF HIS GUILTY CON-
SCIENCE.
FINALLY, WITH COUNSEL OF HIS WIFE, HE HELD A FEAST FOR ALL HIS
RELATIVES IN ORDER TO "MAKE UP" FOR THE TIMES HE DID THEM WRONG.
HE REALLY BELIEVED THAT THESE PEOPLE WERE THE CAUSE OF HIS GUILTY
FEELINGS. AT THIS FEAST, HE POISONED EVERYONE.
IMMEDIATELY HIS PUNISHMENT FOLLOWED. FROM THE BODIES OF THE DEAD
CAME OUT HUNDREDS OF MICE. THESE MICE CHASED POPIEL AND HIS WIFE.
THEY TRIED TO HIDE IN A TOWER, BUT DID NOT SUCCEED AND WERE EATEN
UP BY THE MICE AS WELL AS WERE HIS PEOPLE. THIS TOWER, CALLED
"MICE TOWER" OR "THE TOWER OF POPIEL," STANDS IN THE CITY OF
KRUSZIVICA, POLAND.

Submitter comment: THESE LEGENDS I'VE KNOWN SINCE CHILDHOOD DAYS FROM MY PARENTS AS
WELL AS FROM MY LESSONS IN POLISH HISTORY I TOOK FROM MRS. HELEN
CHMIELEWSKI OF DETROIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Angel
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

A LEGEND OF POLAND'S BEGINNING

IN THE MOUNTAINS OF CHARWOYA THERE ARE TWO PROMINENT HEIGHTS,
KRAPINA AND PSARY, WITH RUINS OF CASTLES ON THEM. IT IS SAID
THAT THERE LIVED THREE BROTHERS, PAGAN SLAVIC PRINCES--LECH,
CZECH, AND RUS--SONS OF THE NOBLEMAN PANANOW. THEIR SISTER
WYLINDA, WHO FELL IN LOVE WITH AN ENEMY LEADER, CAUSED WAR UPON
THE SLAVIC ARMY AND A GREAT DEFEAT. THEY GAVE THEIR SISTER THE
DEATH PENALTY AND THEN LEFT THEIR HOME FOR GOOD.
THIS (WAS) ABOUT THE YEAR 550 A.D. WHEN THE BROTHERS CROSSED THE
DUNAJ RIVER AND WENT THEIR SEPARATE WAYS. LECH WENT WITH HIS
LEAGUE OF MEN TO THE RIVER WARTA, NEAR THE LAKE GOPTO, WHERE A
SLAVIC GROUP CALLED POLAMIE LIVED. WHEN HE ARRIVED AT SUNSET,
HE SAW A NEST IN THE TREES FROM WHERE A WHITE EAGLE HAD JUST
FLOWN OUT. AT THAT PLACE HE DECIDED TO SETTLE, NAMING THE
PLACE GNIEGNO (MEANING "NEST") AND FOUNDING THE KINGDOM NAMED
POLAKOMI (MEANING "AFTER LECH"). THE KINGDOM THEN TOOK AS THEIR
COAT OF ARMS THE HWITE EAGLE WITH OPEN WINGS FOR FLIGHT IN THE
FIELD OF RED.
IT IS ALSO TOLD THAT, AFTER MANY YEARS, THE BROTHERS OF LECH,
CZECH (FROM WHOM CAME THE CZECHS) AND RUS (THE FOUNDER OF THE
RUSSIAN PEOPLE) MET AGAIN AT THIS SAME PLACE. HERE THERE WAS A
CITY BUILT SOON AFTER IN HONOR OF THIS MEETING CALLED POZNAN.
IN POLISH IT MEANS "A MEETING." THIS CITY EXISTS TO THIS DAY,
POZNAN OR POSEN, POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

Custom/Belief

Belief, Custom - Planting:

On the feast day of St. Andrew everyone plants cucumbers to ensure a good planting season for the year.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [P535, F643] crossed out and replaced with F535

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Cucumbers ; CUSTOM ; HARVEST ; Offering ; PLANT VEGETABLE ; RELIGIOUS ; St. Andrew ; VEGETABLE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535

View just this record

Custom

Good Friday and Planting Custom:

Potatoe [sic] seeds should be planted, if at all possible, on Good Friday.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [F663] has been crossed out and replaced with F535

Where learned: HOME ; NEW YORK ; LeRoy

Keyword(s): AGRICULTURE ; CUSTOM ; FARMING ; Good Friday ; HARVEST ; PLANT VEGETABLE ; POTATO ; Religious Holiday ; VEGETABLE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535

View just this record

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