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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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MY FAMILY AND I WENT APPLE PICKING EVERY FALL OF MY
CHILDHOOD. WE WOULD GO TO ROMEO, MICHIGAN'S "BIG RED APPLE
ORCHARD AND RIDE A HAY WAGON TO THE TREES. ONE YEAR WHEN I WAS
ABOUT FIVE AND MY SISTER WAS ABOUT THREE, MY SISTER ATE AN APPLE--
SEEDS, CORE, AND ALL. MY GRANDPARENTS TOLD HER AN APPLE TREE
WOULD GROW IN HER TUMMY. SHE BELIEVED THEM AND SO DID I.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Autumn Fall Harvest Thanksgiving BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00001973CA
THOMAS S. SPENCER
'BOUT HALFWAY BETWEEN HERE & CARTHAGE UP BY WAY OF GALLATIN, AT
CASTALIAN SPRINGS? THIS EARLIEST SETTLER COME THROUGH, AN'
THERE WAS A BIG SYCAMORE TREE THAT WAS HOLLOW, WITH AN
OPENING JUST BIG ENOUGH FOR A MAN TO GET IN; AN' HE SPENT
THE WINTER IN THAT THREE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant |
Date learned: 07-06-1973
AT MISSISSIPPI STATE COLLEGE FOR WOMEN AN
OLD TREE STANDS NEAR THE ENTRANCE GATE.
IT IS SAID, FOR EACH LEAF THAT FALLS FROM
THE TREE IN THE SPRING, A MSCW GIRL
MARRIES A MISSISSIPPI STATE BOY.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; COLUMBUS ; MSCW
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-20-1969
ORIGINATION OF SPANISH MOSS
IN PARTS OF ALABAMA AND FLORIDA WHERE THE SPANISH SETTLED
IT WAS SAID THAT THERE WERE TWO LOVERS, A PRINCESS AND
COMMMONER. THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SEE EACH OTHER SO
THEY WOULD MEET IN THE FOREST UNDER A PARTICULAR TREE.
WHEN HER PARENTS FOUND OUT ABOUT IT, THEY HAD THE YOUNG
MAN SENT AWAY. THE PRINCESS SOON BECAME ILL AND DIED OF A
BROKEN HEART. IT WAS SAID THAT SHE WAS BURIED UNDER THIS
TREE AND THAT THE MOSS THAT DRAPES DOWN FROM THE TREE IS
HER LONG BEAUTIFUL HAIR.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 08-00-1967
Legend
CROSS ON WHICH CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED WAS SUPPOSEDLY
OF DOGWOOD. THUS THE DOGWOOD FLOWER IS SHAPED LIKE A
CRUCIFIX AS A REMINDER OF THE CRUCIFIXTION. THE TEAR
DROP IN THE CENTER OF THE FLOWER REPRESENTS A TEAR
WHICH IS SHED FOR THE DEATH OF CHRIST.
Submitter comment:
ORIGIN: UNKNOWN
Data entry tech comment:
Updated on 2011-02-22 by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Christ ; CURSE ; Cursed ; DEATH ; Dogwood ; FLOWER ; Legend ; RELIGION ; Story ; Tale ; Tear ; Tree
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant |
Date learned: 07-30-1964
APACHE TEARS
APACHE TEARS, WHICH ARE SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES, ARE
FOUND IN ONLY TWO PLACES IN THE UNITED STATES. THEY
CAN BE FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF CLIFFS IN THE SOUTHWEST
REGION OF OUR COUNTRY. THE LEGEND IS THAT THE
CAVALRY DROVE THE APACHE INDIANS OVER THE CLIFF.
THE APACHE WOMEN THEN CAME TO THE CLIFF TO CRY OVER
THE DEAD INDIANS, AND THEIR TEARS FORMED THIS SEMI-
PRECIOUS STONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant |
Date learned: 04-04-1970
A LESSON IN KINDNESS TO STRANGERS
JESUS AND PETRUS WERE WALKING AROUND LITTLE VILLAGES IN
GERMANY. THEY DIDN'T WANT ANYBODY TO KNOW WHO THEY
WERE BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO SEE WHAT THE PEOPLE WERE
REALLY LIKE, IF THEY WERE KIND TO STRANGERS.
WHEN THEY GOT TO SIPPLINGEN, A LITTLE VILLAGE, THEM
PEOPLE WAS SO NICE AND KIND AND GAVE THEM FOOD AND A
PLACE TO SLEEP. SO THEN JESUS AND PETRUS TOLD THEM WHO
THEY WAS. THEN JESUS SAYS, "SEE THEM FIELDS? NOW PRETTY
SOON YOU GONNA HAVE GRAPES."
THEN THE PEOPLE WAS SO HAPPY AND THEY MADE UP WINE FROM
ALL THESE GRAPES.
THEN THE WORD ABOUT THE GRAPES WENT BACK TO UVERLINGEN,
A VILLAGE WHERE JESUS AND PETRUS WAS BEFORE SIPPLINGEN.
THEN THESE PEOPLE WAS RUNNING TO JESUS AND PETRUS AND
SAYING, "PLEASE COME BACK TO OUR VILLAGE. WE DIDN'T
KNOW YOU WAS JESUS AND PETRUS."
SO THEY ALL WENT BACK TO THAT VILLAGE AND THE PEOPLE SAY,
"JESUS, WHY YOU WON'T GIVE US SOME GRAPES, TOO?" JESUS
SAID, "THAT'S ALL RIGHT." AND HE DONE THIS. PETRUS
DIDN'T LIKE THIS AND SAY TO JESUS, "THEY WAS NOT KIND TO
US BEFORE. WHY YOU WANT TO GIVE THEM GRAPES?" BUT
JESUS SAY, "KEEP QUIET, PETRUS. I KNOW MY WORK."
BUT AFTER JESUS AND PETRUS GO AWAY AND THE PEOPLE
MAKE THE WINE AND TASTE IT, THEY FIND OUT IT WAS SOUR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY, ASSUMED ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant |
Date learned: UNCERTAIN
THE DEER THAT CAN'T BE SHOT
A HUNTER WHO RAN OUT OF AMMUNITION SPIED A YOUNG BUCK A FEW YARDS
AHEAD OF HIM. INNOVATING, HE PICKED UP THREE CHERRY PITS FROM THE
SCRAPS OF THE LUNCH HE HAD JUST CONSUMED. HE SHOT THE BUCK AT
ALMOST POINT BLANK RANGE BUT NOTHING HAPPENED.
THE NEXT YEAR THIS SAME HUNTER WENT OUT WITH TWO OTHER FRIENDS.
DURING THE COURSE OF THEIR HUNT, THEY SAW A BUCK WITH CHERRIES
GROWING FROM HIS ANTLERS. ALL THREE OF THEM ATTEMPTED TO SHOOT,
BUT THEIR GUNS JAMMED SIMULTANEOUSLY.
TO THIS DAY THE BUCK STILL ROAMS THE UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN;
NO ONE IS ABLE TO SHOOT HIM.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THIS STORY ON MY FIRST HUNTING TRIP ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO.
I CAN'T REMEMBER THE INFORMANT'S NAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 00001970 CA
PLANT
THERE IS A TREE IN THE JUNGLES OF PANAMA WHICH IS SQUARE.
Submitter comment: MISS ZITZEWITZ LEARNED OF THIS FROM HER MOTHER AS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Angular forms |
Date learned: 10-01-1963
BURNING BUSH
THE PINSETA FLOWER, WHICH IS WELL KNOWN DURING CHRISTMAS TIME,
IS ORIGINALLY FROM MEXICO AND WAS CALLED THE BURNING BUSH.
IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE UNITED STATES BY SECRETARY OF STATE PINSET IN
THE LATTER PART OF THE 19TH CENTURY. THE LEGEND BEHIND THE BURNING BUSH
IS THAT A SMALL MEXICAN BOY WANTED TO BRING JESUS SOMETHING, BUT HE WAS TOO POOR.
ON HIS WAY TO CHRIST'S MANGER HE SAW A BRIGHT RED FLOWER, AND HE TOOK IT AND GAVE
IT TO JESUS. THE FLOWER SUDDENLY BECAME SO BRIGHT THAT IT LIT UP THE ENTIRE MANGER.
Submitter comment: TOLD AT A&P FOOD STORE, 14120 E. 7 MILE ROAD. 1799-1851.
Data entry tech comment: THE POINSETTIA FLOWER, NAMED AFTER J.R. POINSETT, U.S. MINISTER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 04-04-1970
THE CROOKED TREE
WASHINGTON PARK IN CHEBOYGAN HOLDS A CURIOUSLY SHAPED RUSSET
TREE WHOSE HUGE LIMBS SPREAD DOWN TOWARD THE GROUND IN A SPIDER
FASHION. HOW IT GOT THIS SHAPE IS THE SUBJECT OF MANY STORIES
RANGING FROM A SIMPLE EXPLANATION OF BEING STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
TO BEING MISUSED BY A BLACKSMITH. THE LATTER TELLS OF A THOUGHT-
LESS BLACKSMITH WHO PILED HIS SCRAP METAL ON TOP OF THE TREE,
WHICH, IN ITS FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL, GREW ITS LIMBS WHEREVER THERE
WAS AN OPENING. CONSEQUENTLY THE TREE HAS ITS PRESENT PECULIAR
PATTERN.
ANOTHER "OLD TIMER" RUMOR ATTRIBUTES ITS SHAPE TO INDIANS WHO,
SEEKING A TRAIL GUIDE, BENT THE YOUNG TREE AS A MARK SHOWING A
TURN POINT IN AN IMPORTANT TRAIL.
WHICHEVER EXPLANATION IS TRUE, IT IS STILL A MYSTERY, BUT ONE
THAT IS OFTEN SPECULATED UPON BY NATIVE INHABITANTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEBOYGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
THE WHIPPING TREE
IN PANAMA THERE IS A TREE THAT GROWS BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHICH
WHIPS EVERYONE WHO PASSES BY.
Submitter comment: HEARD FROM INGRID ZITZEWITZ.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant |
Date learned: 08-09-1964
NO GRASS ON THE GRAVE: TALE
THE GREAT-GRANDFATHER OF MY INFORMANT WAS ALLEGEDLY UNJUSTLY
ACCUSED OF MURDERING HIS WIFE. HE SWORE HE WAS INNOCENT UP TILL
THE TIME OF HIS EXECUTION NEAR BOSTON.
UNTIL THIS DAY, NO GRASS GROWS ON THAT GRAVE, THOUGH IT HAS BEEN
RE-SODDED SEVERAL TIMES.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
PAPARTIS BLOOM (FERN BLOOM)
THE LEGEND OF THE FERN BLOOM IS A VERY POPULAR AND FAVORITE AMONG
THE PEOPLE OF THE LITHUANIAN FARMS. IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A
PERSON FINDS THIS BLOOM, HE FINDS OUT WHERE EVERYTHING IS HIDDEN,
HE CAN LOOK INTO THE FUTURE AND BECOMES VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE. BUT
A PERSON CAN HOPE FOR ANY LUCK AT ALL, ONLY ON ST. JOHN'S EVE--
THAT IS, ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S EVE, JUNE 23RD. JUNE 23RD IS
SUPPOSED TO BE (THE) SHORTEST NIGHT AND THE LONGEST DAY. WHEN
NIGHT COMES, ABOUT AN HOUR LATER THE SKY IN THE EAST IS ALREADY
TURNING LIGHT--BY 3:00 A.M., IT IS LIGHT AS DAY. THERE ARE MANY
STORIES AND TALES ABOUT THE FERN BLOOM AND TWO OF THEM FOLLOW.
THEY SAY THAT ON ONE ST. JOHN'S EVE, THE HORSES OF A FARMER
DISAPPEARED. THE FARMER SENT HIS STABLE BOY TO LOOK FOR THEM.
WHILE HE WAS WALKING THROUGH THE FOREST, SUDDENLY EVERYTHING
TURNED VERY VERY BRIGHT . . . AND HE FOUND HIMSELF BEING ABLE TO
SEE EVERYTHING CLEARLY. (TRANSLATOR'S NOTE: A FERN BLOOM BLOOMS
VERY BRIGHTLY. WHEN YOU SEE ONE, YOU GET POWERS THAT ENABLE YOU
TO SEE IN THE FUTURE, WHERE EVERYTHING IS AND IS HIDDEN.) HE ALSO
KNEW WHERE THE HORSES WERE AND WHEN HE FETCHED THEM, HE FOUND OUT
THAT HIS FARMER'S NEIGHBOR HAD SOME GOLD BURIED UNDER AN APPLE
TREE AT THE END OF HIS ORCHARD. HE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT HIS LIFE
WILL BE VERY HARD AND HE WILL REMAIN POOR. HE THEN THOUGHT WHY
SHOULD HE REMAIN POOR IF HE KNEW WHERE THE GOLD WAS BURIED. SO
HE STARTED TOWARD THE NEIGHBOR'S ORCHARD, BUT THEN NOTICED THAT
IT WAS GETTING LIGHT OUT, SO HE DECIDED TO WAIT TILL THE FOLLOWING
NIGHT. INSTEAD, HE DECIDED HE'LL GET SOME SLEEP. SO HE TOOK OFF
HIS MOCCASINS AND STRETCHED OUT BY A WELL. BUT AS HE WAS TAKING
THE MOCCASINS OFF, THERE WAS A SUDDEN FLASH LIKE THAT OF A
DIAMOND. THE STABLE-BOY DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT, SO HE
FELL ASLEEP.
IN THE MORNING, HOWEVER, WHEN HE AWOKE, HE COULDN'T REMEMBER
ANYTHING FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE . . . HE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHERE
THERE WAS ANY GOLD BURIED.
Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN BY RAMUNI STONYS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23 |
Date learned: 01-17-1972
HOW TO FIND A FERN BLOOM
TO FIND THIS BLOOM, YOU HAVE TO BE VERY BRAVE. FIRST OF ALL, YOU
HAVE TO GO DEEP INTO THE FOREST AT NIGHT, AS SOON AS IT GETS DARK.
YOU HAVE TO GO SO FAR THAT YOU WOULDN'T HEAR THE ROOSTER CROWING
AT DAWN, AND THAT IS A GOOD THREE OR FOUR MILES.
WHEN YOU GET INTO THE WOODS, THE PERSON HAS TO DRAW A CIRCLE TWO
STEPS IN DIAMETER AND RADIUS. THEN HE HAS TO SIT DOWN IN THE
MIDDLE, LIGHT A CANDLE AND WAIT TILL HE FINDS THE FERN BLOOM.
IN THE MEANTIME, ALL SORTS OF GOBLINS AND SUPERNATURALS COME UP
TO HIM TRYING TO SCARE HIM. THEY MAKE ALL KINDS OF HORRIBLE FACES
AND STRANGE NOISES. IF THE PERSON GETS FRIGHTENED JUST ONE LITTLE
BIT, HE WILL NOT FIND THE BLOOM. IF HE STICKS IT OUT AND ISN'T
FRIGHTENED, THEN CHANCES ARE THAT HE WILL FIND THE BLOOM. SO IT
IS ONLY THE BRAVEST THAT WILL FIND THE FERN BLOOM.
IN REALITY, THE FERN NEVER BLOOMS. BUT AMONG THE PEOPLE IT IS
BELIEVED TO BLOOM ON ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S EVE--JUNE 23.
Submitter comment: TRANSLATED BY RAMUNI STONYS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23 |
Date learned: 01-17-1972
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
LEGEND OF THE POINSETTIA
AT THE TIME OF THE BIRTH OF THE CHRIST CHILD, A YOUNG SHEPHERD BOY
WANTED TO VISIT THE CHILD BUT HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO BRING HIM.
THERE WAS A RED FLOWER BY HIM, SO HE PICKED IT AND SAID THAT THIS
WOULD BE HIS GIFT TO THE CHRIST CHILD. WHEN HE PRESENTED IT TO
THE CHILD, HE SMILED JOYFULLY AT THE BOY. MANY YEARS LATER THIS
SAME BOY, NOW A MAN, WAS STANDING BY THE CROSS ON WHICH CHRIST WAS
HANGING. WHEN THE BLOOD FLOWED OUT OF THE SPEAR WOUND OF CHRIST
AND HIT THE GROUND, A RED FLOWER EXACTLY LIKE THAT GIVEN BY THE
SHEPHERD BOY SPRUNG UP. RIGHT THEN THE MAN KNEW THAT THIS WAS THE
SAME PERSON TO WHOM HE HAD ONCE GIVEN THE RED FLOWER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant SPEECH -- Folk Name for Plant |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Legend
CROSS ON WHICH CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED WAS SUPPOSEDLY
OF DOGWOOD. THUS THE DOGWOOD FLOWER IS SHAPED LIKE A
CRUCIFIX AS A REMINDER OF THE CRUCIFIXTION. THE TEAR
DROP IN THE CENTER OF THE FLOWER REPRESENTS A TEAR
WHICH IS SHED FOR THE DEATH OF CHRIST.
Submitter comment:
ORIGIN: UNKNOWN
Data entry tech comment:
Updated 02-22-2011 by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Christ ; CRUCIFIXION ; CURSE ; DEATH ; Dogwood ; FLOWER ; Legend ; RELIGION ; Story ; Tale ; Tear ; Tree
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant |
Date learned: 07-30-1964
APACHE TEARS
APACHE TEARS, WHICH ARE SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES, ARE
FOUND IN ONLY TWO PLACES IN THE UNITED STATES. THEY
CAN BE FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF CLIFFS IN THE SOUTHWEST
REGION OF OUR COUNTRY. THE LEGEND IS THAT THE
CAVALRY DROVE THE APACHE INDIANS OVER THE CLIFF.
THE APACHE WOMEN THEN CAME TO THE CLIFF TO CRY OVER
THE DEAD INDIANS, AND THEIR TEARS FORMED THIS SEMI-
PRECIOUS STONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant |
Date learned: 04-04-1970
A LESSON IN KINDNESS TO STRANGERS
JESUS AND PETRUS WERE WALKING AROUND LITTLE VILLAGES IN
GERMANY. THEY DIDN'T WANT ANYBODY TO KNOW WHO THEY
WERE BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO SEE WHAT THE PEOPLE WERE
REALLY LIKE, IF THEY WERE KIND TO STRANGERS.
WHEN THEY GOT TO SIPPLINGEN, A LITTLE VILLAGE, THEM
PEOPLE WAS SO NICE AND KIND AND GAVE THEM FOOD AND A
PLACE TO SLEEP. SO THEN JESUS AND PETRUS TOLD THEM WHO
THEY WAS. THEN JESUS SAYS, "SEE THEM FIELDS? NOW PRETTY
SOON YOU GONNA HAVE GRAPES."
THEN THE PEOPLE WAS SO HAPPY AND THEY MADE UP WINE FROM
ALL THESE GRAPES.
THEN THE WORD ABOUT THE GRAPES WENT BACK TO UVERLINGEN,
A VILLAGE WHERE JESUS AND PETRUS WAS BEFORE SIPPLINGEN.
THEN THESE PEOPLE WAS RUNNING TO JESUS AND PETRUS AND
SAYING, "PLEASE COME BACK TO OUR VILLAGE. WE DIDN'T
KNOW YOU WAS JESUS AND PETRUS."
SO THEY ALL WENT BACK TO THAT VILLAGE AND THE PEOPLE SAY,
"JESUS, WHY YOU WON'T GIVE US SOME GRAPES, TOO?" JESUS
SAID, "THAT'S ALL RIGHT." AND HE DONE THIS. PETRUS
DIDN'T LIKE THIS AND SAY TO JESUS, "THEY WAS NOT KIND TO
US BEFORE. WHY YOU WANT TO GIVE THEM GRAPES?" BUT
JESUS SAY, "KEEP QUIET, PETRUS. I KNOW MY WORK."
BUT AFTER JESUS AND PETRUS GO AWAY AND THE PEOPLE
MAKE THE WINE AND TASTE IT, THEY FIND OUT IT WAS SOUR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY, ASSUMED ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant |
Date learned: UNCERTAIN