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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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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
ONCE THERE WAS A KING WHO LOST ALL HIS WEALTH. HE
CALLED HIS TWIN SONS TO HIM AND TOLD THEM THEY HAD
TO GO OUT AND SEEK THEIR FORTUNE TOGETHER, BECAUSE
THEY WERE POOR. SO HE GAVE THEM TWO IDENTICAL RINGS
AND HE SAID, "SONS, THESE ARE MAGICAL RINGS; SHOULD
ONE NEED THE OTHER, ALL HE WOULD DO IS TWIST THE RING
ON HIS FINGER AND IF THE RING TURNS BLACK, IT MEANS
THE OTHER IS IN TROUBLE AND YOU MUST GO AND HELP HIM."
THE BROTHERS LEFT THE REALM AND ROSE ALONG THE ROAD
UNTIL THEY CAME TO A FORK. AT THE FORK THEY SAID
TO EACH OTHER, "THIS IS WHERE WE PART; WHICH ONE
SHOULD TAKE WHICH WAY?" THEY FLIPPED A COIN AND THE
ONE CALLED PETER WENT TO THE RIGHT AND THE OTHER
CALLED PAUL TOOK THE LEFT. BEFORE THEY LEFT, THEY
REMINDED EACH OTHER OF THE MAGICAL RINGS AND
PROMISED THAT AT 5:00 P.M. THEY WOULD TWIST THEIR
RINGS AND IF THE RING WOULD REMAIN GOLD, THEY WOULD
CONTINUE ON THEIR GOALS. PETER CONTINUED ON AND
FINALLY CAME TO ANOTHER KINGDOM. THERE HE FOUND THE
PEOPLE ALL IN MOURNING. UPON INQUIRING, HE FOUND
THERE WAS A GIANT MONSTER THAT DEMANDED A YOUNG GIRL
FROM THE VILLAGE EVERY DAY FOR SACRIFICE. THEY WERE
ALL ESPECIALLY SAD BECAUSE TODAY WAS THE KING'S
DAUGHTER'S TURN. PETER TOLD THE KING, "NEVER FEAR; I WILL
GO SLAY THIS MONSTER. DON'T SEND YOUR DAUGHTER."
SO HE WENT AND THROUGH GREAT BRAVERY, SLEW THE MONSTER.
UPON RETURNING TO THE VILLAGE, THE KING WAS OVERJOYED
AND GAVE HIS DAUGHTER'S HAND IN MARRIAGE. THERE WAS
JOY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. ONE DAY PETER WAS OUT ON
A HUNTING TRIP AND WAS CAPTURED BY A WICKED WITCH AND
WAS PLACED IN A DUNGEON; THEN HE WAS TURNED TO STONE.
HIS BROTHER, PAUL, AT THE USUAL TIME, TWISTED HIS MAGIC
RING, AND WHEN IT TURNED BLACK, HE SAID, "MY BROTHER
IS IN TROUBLE; I MUST GO HELP HIM." SO PAUL WENT
BACK TO THE FORK IN THE ROAD AND HEADED IN THIS
BROTHER'S DIRECTION AND CAME UPON THE VILLAGE WHERE
HIS BROTHER'S WIFE AND FAMILY WRE. UPON ARRIVING IN
THE VILLAGE, HE WAS GREETED WITH GREAT JOY AND MISTAKEN
FOR HIS BROTHER, PETER. PAUL SAID NOTHING ABOUT THE
MISTAKE, BECAUSE HE WANTED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED
TO HIS BROTHER. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE PALACE AND WAS
GREETED AS THE LONG-LOST HUSBAND AND SON-IN-LAW. THAT
EVENING, WHEN IT WAS TIME TO RETIRE, PAUL STILL HADN'T
REVEALED HIS IDENTITY, SO HE SLEPT WITH HIS SISTER-IN-
LAW, BUT PUT A SWORD BETWEEN THEM. HIS SISTER-IN-LAW
WONDERED WHY HE DID THIS. HE SAID THAT THAT WAS HOW
HE MUST SLEEP NOW BECAUSE OF A PROMISE HE HAD MADE.
THE NEXT MORNING, HE SET OUT TO FIND HIS BROTHER
ALONG THE SAME ROUTE HIS BROTHER HAD TAKEN. HE CAME
UPON A GREAT PALACE AND INSIDE HE FOUND A WHOLE
ROOM FULL OF STATUES, WHICH IN REALITY WERE PEOPLE
WHO HAD BEEN TURNED TO STONE BY THE WICKED WITCH. HE
RECOGNIZED HIS BROTHER AND REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED.
HE HID HIMSELF, UNTIL THE WITCH CAME TO THE ROOM. AS
SOON AS SHE RETURNED, BEFORE SHE HAD A CHANCE TO WORK HER
SPELL ON HIM, HE TOOK HER SWORD AND SLEW HER.
IMMEDIATELY, SHE TURNED TO SMOKE AND DISAPPEARED.
AT THAT MOMENT ALL THE STATUES CAME BACK TO LIFE. THE
BROTHERS EMBRACED AND RETURNED TO PETER'S KINGDOM.
ON THE WAY BACK HE TOLD HIS BROTHER WHAT HAD
HAPPENED WHEN HE CAME TO HIS KINGDOM--HOW HE HAD
BEEN TAKEN FOR HIM. AND HE TOLD HIM THE EPISODE
ABOUT THE SWORD. PETER REFUSED TO BELIEVE HIM AND
THOUGHT HIS BROTHER HAD BETRAYED HIM. PETER BECAME
FURIOUS AND KILLED PAUL. THAT NIGHT, WHEN HE WAS
GOING TO BED, HIS WIFE SAID TO HIM, "WHY, PETER,
WHERE'S YOUR SWORD? YOU SAID YOU MUST SLEEP WITH THE
SWORD BETWEEN US." AT THAT MOMENT, PETER REALIZED
THAT HIS BROTHER WAS TELLING THE TRUTH. WITH GREAT
PAIN AND ANGUISH, HE TOOK HIS SWORD AND SLEW HIMSELF.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT GOD THIS STORY FROM HER MOTHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): TWINS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 03-06-1970
MARCHEN
ONCE THERE WAS A KING WHO HAD THREE SONS AND THEY WERE ALL
BELOVED. BEHIND THE KING'S PALACE THERE WAS A LARGE AREA WITH
SILKEN GRASS. THE GUARDS TOLD THE KING THAT THEY SAW A MYSTER-
IOUS ANIMAL GRAZE THERE, A BEAUTIFUL WHITE STALLION, BUT THEY
COULD NEVER CATCH IT. THE ELDEST SON OF THE KING GOT PERMISSION
FROM HS FATHER TO TRY TO CAPTURE THE STALLION. AS HE WAS GOING
HE MET A LITTLE MOUSE. THE MOUSE ASKED FOR A LITTLE SOMETHING
TO EAT BUT THE SON TOLD HIM TO GET AWAY. THE ELDEST SON LAID
DOWN IN THE GRASS TO WAIT FOR THE HORSE, BUT A SOFT MILD WIND
LULLED HIM TO SLEEP AND WHEN HE WOKE UP IT WAS VERY LATE. EXACTLY
THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE SECOND SON. FINALLY, AFTER MUCH
PLEADING THE YOUNGEST SON WAS ALLOWED TO GO. THE LITTLE MOUSE
ASKED HIM FOR SOME FOOD AND THE BOY GAVE HIM SOME FROM HIS POCKET.
AS HE RODE AWAY THE LITTLE MOUSE SAID, "A GOOD DEED DESERVES A
GOOD DEED" BUT THE BOY COULDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW A LITTLE MOUSE
COULD EVER DO ANYTHING FOR HIM. THE PRINCE LAID DOWN IN THE
GRASS AND HE TOO WAS LULLED ASLEEP BY THE SOFT, MILD WIND. BUT
THE MOUSE NIBBLED ON HIS EAR AND WOKE HIM UP. WHEN HE WOKE UP
HE SAW THE BEAUTIFUL HORSE. HE JUMPED UP ON THE HORSE'S BACK AND
RIGHT AWAY. THE HORSE DISAPPEARED AND THERE WAS A BEAUTIFUL GIRL,
THE FAIRYLIKE ILONA. SHE EXPLAINED TO THE PRINCE THAT SHE HAD
BEEN TRANSFORMED. SHE HAD NEEDED SOMEONE TO STAY AWAKE TO MOUNT
HER. THE KING TOLD HIS SON THAT HE COULD MARRY THE GIRL AND HE
GAVE THEM A BIG WEDDING.
"HERE'S THE END, NOW RUN AWAY WITH IT."
Submitter comment:
DR. DAMIN LEARNED THIS STORY FROM HER MOTHER IN HUNGARY. SHE
SAYS THAT MOST OF THE TALES SHE HEARD AS A CHILD ENDED WITH THIS
TRADITIONAL ENDING TRANSLATED FROM THE HUNGARIAN.
Where learned: HUNGARY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
TALE
A BOY AND HIS SISTER ARE WALKING THROUGH A FOREST AND THEY CAME TO
A STREAM. THE BOY BENDS OVER TO TAKE A DRINK BUT THE GIRL TELLS
HIM NOT TO BECAUSE IT'S ENCHANTED. HE DIDN'T LISTEN TO HER AND HE
TURNED INTO A DEER. SHE TOOK A LITTLE BELL AND PUT IT AROUND HIS
NECK AND THEY WENT TO LIVE IN A COTTAGE BY THE EDGE OF THE FOREST.
FOR A LONG TIME EVERYBODY TRIES TO KILL THE DEER BECAUSE IT IS
SUCH A BEAUTY. ONE DAY THE OLD KING DIED AND HIS YOUNG SON BECAME
KING. HE DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO CAPTURE THE DEER AND HAVE HIM
FOR A BANQUET. SO HE SENT OUT SPIES TO FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS THAT
THE DEER ALWAYS DISAPPEARED TO. THE SPIES SAID THAT THE DEER
ALWAYS WENT INTO A COTTAGE BY THE EDGE OF THE FOREST.
ONE DAY THE GIRL HAD GONE OUT TO GET SOME FOOD. WHEN SHE CAME
BACK SHE SAW THAT THERE HAD BEEN A STRUGGLE IN THE COTTAGE AND THE
LITTLE BELL WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR. SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO
BUT A BIRD TOLD HER THAT THE DEER HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE CASTLE FOR
A BANQUET. SHE HURRIED TO THE KING, FORCED HER WAY PAST ALL THE
GUARDS, AND TOLD THE YOUNG KING THE WHOLE STORY. HE SAID, "HOW
CAN YOU PROVE IT?" SO SHE ASKED HIM TO TAKE HER TO THE DEER.
WHEN THE DEER SAW HER HE RUSHED RIGHT UP AND STARTED LICKING HER.
HE HAD BEEN MEAN TO EVERYONE ELSE SO THE KING KNEW SHE WAS TELLING
THE TRUTH. THE KING SENT OUT HIS SPIES TO CATCH THE OLD WITCH WHO
HAD ENCHANTED THE FOREST. THEY CAUGHT HER AND JUST BEFORE THEY
KILLED HER, HER IRON NOSE FELL OFF. AS SOON AS IT DID THE DEER
WAS CHANGED INTO A BOY AGAIN. THE KING DECIDED TO MARRY THE GIRL
AND THAT'S THE END OF THE STORY.
Submitter comment:
MISS DAMIN'S HUNGARIAN GRANDMOTHER TOLD HER THIS TALE WHEN SHE
WAS A YOUNG GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNGARY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
HEALING WATERS
ONE WINTER A GREAT PLAGUE STRUCK AND MANY INDIANS DIED. ONE YOUNG
MAN NAMED MONTA HAD LOST ALL HIS FAMILY BUT HIS NEW WIFE, WHO WAS
ILL. MONTA PRAYED TO MANITOU, THE GREAT SPIRIT, TO GIVE HIM A
PLANT WHICH WOULD CURE HIS WIFE. AFTER HIS PRAYER, HE COVERED HIS
WIFE WITH SOFT FIRS AND BEGAN HIS SEARCH OVER THE SNOW-COVERED
EARTH. FOR THREE DAYS HE SEARCHED, BUT THE PLANTS WERE ALL SLEEP-
ING UNTIL SPRING AND NO ANIMALS WERE IN SIGHT. FINALLY HE FELL
ASLEEP. ALL THE ANIMALS OF THE FOREST GATHERED AROUND, FOR HE
HAD ALWAYS BEEN GOOD TO THEM. THEY PRAYED TO THE GREAT SPIRIT TO
HELP MONTA. THE GREAT SPIRIT HEARD AND SENT MONTA A DREAM. IN
THE DREAM MONTA SAW HIS WIFE WELL AND HEARD HER SINGING. SHE SANG
OF THE HEALING WATERS OF THE GREAT MANITOU. WHEN MONTA AWOKE HE
HEARD THE WATERS SINGING AND BEGAN TO DIG UNDER HIS FEET. UP
SPRANG THE HEALING WATERS. HE WASHED IN THE WATER AND BECAME
STRONG. HE TOOK WATER TO HIS WIFE AND SHE WAS SAVED. FROM THEN
ON, THE PEOPLE OF THE VILLAGE BATHED IN THE SPRING AND WERE NEVER
ILL AGAIN.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Running water Small current. Brook, spring.... PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1970