Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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(STORY WITH A PUN ON AN ADVERTIZING SLOGAN)
THE JOLLY GREEN GIANT WAS GETTING ALL THE ROYALTIES FOR
HIS COMMERCIALS AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE, CALLED TRIDS,
WEREN'T GETTING ANYTHING FOR THEIR PART IN THE COMMER-
CIALS. THIS MADE THE TRIDS VERY ANGRY AND SO THEY
DECIDED TO GET RID OF THE JOLLY GREEN GIANT. SO, 150
TRIDS CLIMBED UP HIS LEG AND TRIED TO PULL HIM OVER A
CLIFF, BUT THE GIANT JUST KICKED THEM OFF HIS LEG.
SO, 1500 TRIDS CLIMBED UP HIS LEG, BUT THE GIANT ONLY
KICKED THEM OFF, TOO. FINALLY, 15,000,000,000 TRIDS
AND ONE RABBI CLIMBED UP THE GIANT'S LEG, BUT HE KICKED
ALL THE TRIDS OFF HIS LEG, BUT LET THE RABBI STAY.
WHEN THE RABBI ASKED WHY HE WAS SAVED, THE JOLLY GREEN
GIANT ANSWERED, "SILLY RABBI, KICKS ARE FOR TRIDS."
Data entry tech comment: SEE B667.1-120 FOR FURTHER EXPLANATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ARRIVING ; NEW BALTIMORE
Keyword(s): SILLY RABBIT, KIX ARE FOR KIDS.
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 10-30-1969
YELLOW FINGERS
ONCE THERE WAS A KING WHO WANTED TO GET A MESSAGE THROUGH
TO A NEIGHBORING KINGDOM. BUT IN ORDER TO GET THROUGH,
THE MESSANGER WOULD HAVE TO PASS THE MONSTROUS YELLOW
FINGERS. FIRST A KNIGHT WAS SENT, BUT THE YELLOW FINGERS
PINCHED HIM TO DEATH. THEN A SQUIRE TRIED, BUT MET WITH
THE SAME FATE. FINALLY, A PAGE WAS SENT AND MADE IT
THROUGH.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS: LET YOUR PAGES DO THE WALKING
THROUGH THE YELLOW FINGERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PUN ON COMMERCIAL FOR THE BELL TELEPHONE CO., WHICH SAYS,
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 10-15-1969
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 ANIMALS WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SOORACKS
"SOORACKS" WAS A WORKING MAN OF VERY CLEAN HABITS WHO
LIVED IN THE EAST END OF DUNDEE, SCOTLAND, ABOUT 100
YEARS AGO. HE WOULD COME INTO TOWN EVERY TUESDAY AND
FRIDAY WITH A BASKET SUSPENDED FROM HIS NECK WITH A
SUPPLY OF WATER AND "SOORACKS." WHEN HE HAD GATHERED
AN AUDIENCE, HE GAVE A SHORT LECTURE ON THE HARMFUL
CONSUMPTION OF RED MEAT AND THEN DISTRIBUTED HIS
VEGETABLES AMONG THE BOYS AND GIRLS. NO PAYMENT WAS
ASKED FOR. "SOORACKS" WAS AN EARLY PIONEER OF
VEGETARIANISM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SCOTLAND ; DUNDEE
Keyword(s): EATING HABITS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 01-28-1971 ; 00-00-1871
THE LAIRD OF LENOX
A VERY THIN MAN WITH WHITE, SIGHTLESS EYES, RED SKINNED,
AND DRESSED IN STUART-TARTAN, EKED OUT A LIVING BY
BLOWING ON A BIG TIN WHISTLE. NOBODY EVER KNEW THE
TUNES THAT THE "LAIRD" PLAYED, BUT ALWAYS BEFORE
BEGINNING HIS RECITAL, HE WOULD REMARK: "WHO GAVE
ME THIS LONESOME WHISTLE?" "AH, I MIND NOO! THE
LAIRD OF LENNOX."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MUSICIAN, FLUTE BLIND MAN STUART: ALTERNATE SPELLING: STEWART
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 01-28-1971
DISTILLERY PROSE
THIS ONE HAPPENED IN NORTH CAROLINA. THERE WAS THIS GUY NAMED LOSS
HONEYCUTT
AND HIS PROFESSION WAS BREEDING BULLS. ON THE SIDE HE RAN A
DISTILLERY. BACK IN THOSE TIMES, I THINK IT WAS THE EARLY 1900{S, AS
FAR AS POLICEMEN AND GUYS LIKE THAT, THEY DIDN'T FIND OUT TOO MUCH
ABOUT
DISTILLERIES, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE ILLEGAL AND EVERYTHING. BUT
BY MOUTH OR WHATEVER, THE AUTHORITIES FOUND OUT THAT LOSS WAS RUNNING
THIS DISTILLERY AND MAKING PRETTY GOOD MONEY ON IT. SO ONE DAY TWO
LOCAL
OCAL SHERIFFS DECIDED TO PAY LOSS A VISIT. IT SO HAPPENS THAT THE
POLICE
LICE WERE SEEN GOING IN THERE TO BREAK UP THE STILL AND OF COURSE A
CROWD BEGAN TO GATHER OUTSIDE HIS HOUSE. AND THEY WAITED AND WAITED,
BUT THE TWO SHERIFFS NEVER CAME OUT. THE PEOPLE GOT KIND OF CONCERNED
AND WENT TO THE POLICE STATION AND TOLD THEM THAT THE TWO SHERIFFS
HADN'T COME OUT OF THE HOUSE. SO THE POLICE INVESTIGATED. THEY WENT
INTO THE HOUSE AND DOWN INTO THE BASEMENT WHERE THE STILL WAS LOCATED
AND THERE WAS LOSS MAKING WHISKEY. IT SO HAPPENS THAT LOSS HAD DONE
AWAY WITH THE TWO SHERIFFS AND HAD MADE WHISKEY OUT OF THEM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
Keyword(s): MOONSHINING
James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM: PEOPLE DISTILLED INTO WHISKEY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
ONCE A BOY DID NOT SWALLOW THE EUCHARIST, BUT TOOK
IT OUT OF HIS MOUTH. HE TOOK IT HOME AND CUT IT
IN HALF WITH A KNIFE. IT BLED.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT TOLD THIS VERY SERIOUSLY, BUT WAS SKEPTICAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Keyword(s): COMMUNION, SACRAMENT TRANS-SUBSTANTIATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-23-1971
JESUS HELPS THOSE THAT HELP THEMSELVES
ONE DAY JESUS WAS TAKING A WALK WITH PETER DOWN AN OLD
ROAD. THEY SAW A MAN WITH A DONKEY BY THE SIDE OF THE
ROAD, THE DONKEY GOT STUCK IN THE MUD. THE MAN FELL DOWN
ON HIS KNEES AND HE STARTED PRAYING, "GOD, OH GOD, PULL
MY DONKEY OUT OF THE MUD." BUT JESUS JUST KEPT WALKING
BY. AS HE KEPT WALKING, ANOTHER MAN AND DONKEY WERE
STUCK IN THE MUD. BUT THE MAN WAS CUSSING, SWEARING,
SAYING, "YOU DAMN BASTARD MULE." AS HE SWORE HE WAS
PULLING AND PUSHING THE DONKEY. JESUS WENT DOWN AND
HELPED HIM.
AFTER, PETER ASKED JESUS, "WHY DID YOU HELP THIS MAN
WHO CUSSED, AND NOT THE MAN WHO PRAYED?" JESUS SAID
THAT HE HELPED HIM 'CAUSE HE WAS HELPING HIMSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
Keyword(s): BIBLICAL TALE RESOURCEFULNESS REWARDED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-24-1972
IN THE OLD COUNTRY, AT FUNERALS, IT WAS CONSIDERED
RESPECTFUL FOR SOMEONE TO STAY UP ALL NIGHT WITH THE
BODY. SINCE EVERYONE WOULD RATHER "WHOOP IT UP" AT
THE WAKE, INSTEAD OF STAYING WITH THE BODY, THEY
USUALLY GOT A COBBLER, WHO STAYED UP ALL NIGHT
ANYWAY, WORKING ON HIS SHOES, TO DO THE JOB.
ONE NIGHT, A COUPLE PRANKSTERS DECIDED TO PUT A LIVE
PERSON IN THE COFFIN, INSTEAD OF THE BODY. TOWARDS
THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, THE "CORPSE" LIFTED ITS
RIGHT LEG. THE COBBLER, WITHOUT THINKING TWICE,
PUSHED IT BACK IN PLACE. A LITTLE WHILE LATER, AN
ARM WENT UP, AND THE COBBLER, SLIGHTLY ANNOYED,
PUSHED IT BACK. BUT THIS KEPT UP ALL NIGHT, UNTIL
THE COBBLER WAS PRETTY EXASPERATED. THE "CORPSE"
FINALLY PUT ITS HEAD UP AND LOOKED AT THE COBBLER.
AT THIS POINT, IN A FIT OF TEMPER, THE COBBLER PICKED
UP HIS HAMMER AND BASHED THE "CORPSE'S" HEAD IN.
THE MAN NOW REALLY WAS A CORPSE.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR IRONY BLASON POPULAIRE: COBBLERS ARE FEARLESS.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 11-22-1967
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): PERSONAL NARRATIVE BREAKING IN A HORSE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-08-1968
BURIED ALIVE?
I HAD A FRIEND IN GRADE SCHOOL WHO CLAIMED THAT AFTER
HIS GRANDMOTHER HAD BEEN BURIED FOR SOME TIME, THEY
DECIDED FOR SOME REASON TO MOVE HER TO ANOTHER
RESTING PLACE. WHEN THEY OPENED HER COFFIN, THEY
FOUND SCRATCHES ALL OVER THE INSIDE TOP OF THE
COFFIN, AND WOOD UNDERNEATH HER FINGERNAILS. SHE
HAD BEEN THOUGHT DEAD, BUT WAS REALLY BURIED ALIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PREMATURE BURIAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TRUE STORY
AT ONE TIME, MARIA WAS TEACHING A RELIGION CLASS
OF LITTLE CHILDREN AND SHE ASKED A LITTLE BOY,
"WHAT'S ANOTHER NAME FOR GOD?" AND THE LITTLE
CHILD REPLIED "HAROLD." MARIA EXCLAIMED, "HAROLD?
WHERE DID YOU HEAR THAT?" THE LITTLE CHILD REPLIED
"IN THE LORD'S PRAYER, BECAUSE WE SAY 'OUR FATHER
WHO ARE IN HEAVEN, HAROLD BE THY NAME."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ABSURD MISUNDERSTANDING ON PART OF A CHILD.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SOME TIME AGO MRS. HUBER WAS TRAVELING WITH SOME
FRIENDS TO VISIT HER BROTHER, WHO WAS SICK. THEY
HAD TRAVELED MOST OF THE NIGHT AND WERE IN THE
MIDDLE OF NOWHERE SOMEPLACE IN WEST VIRGINIA.
IT WAS NIGHT AND THEY WERE TIRED SO THEY STOPPED
AT AN ISOLATED HOTEL. LATE THAT NIGHT, AS THEY
WERE SLEEPING, THEY WERE AWAKENED BY A CIRCLE OF
LIGHT THAT TRAVELED AROUND THE ROOM SEVERAL TIMES
AND EACH TIME IT STOPPED AT THE HEAD OF MRS.
HUBER'S BED. THIS CONTINUED APPROXIMATELY FIVE
MINUTES. AT 1:00 A.M. THE LIGHT WENT OUT.
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THEY STOPPED AT THE DESK
TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT. THEY TOLD OF THE LIGHT IN
THEIR ROOM BUT THE MANAGER INSISTED THERE WAS NO
POSSIBLE WAY ANYONE COULD DO THIS. THEY LEFT AND
CONTINUED ON THEIR WAY. SHORTLY AFTER THEIR START,
A POLICE CAR STOPPED THEM AND THE OFFICER SAID
HE HAD BEEN SEARCHING FOR THEIR OHIO-LICENCED
{LICENSED} CAR ALL NIGHT. HE WAS TRYING TO NOTIFY
MRS. HUBER OF THE DEATH OF HER BROTHER. HE SAID
HE HAD DIED AT ONE O'CLOCK THAT MORNING AND HAD
CALLED FOR HER MINUTES BEFORE HIS DEATH. HER BELIEF
IS THAT THE LIGHT IN HER ROOM THAT NIGHT WAS HIS WAY
OF SAYING GOODBYE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF TALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 09-22-1969
IF YOU WEAR A SCAPULAR AROUND YOUR NECK AND DIE WITH
IT ON, YOU WILL GO DIRECTLY TO HEAVEN. HOWEVER,
A STORY TOLD BY AN ELEMENTARY NUN GOES, A COUPLE
WAS IN A CAR NECKING AND PETTING; THEY BOTH HAD
SCAPULARS; ON THE WAY HOME, THE BOY HAD AN
ACCIDENT, IN WHICH HIS HEAD WAS SEVERED FROM HIS
BODY AND THE SCAPULAR WAS HANGING ON A TREE, THIS
INFERRING THAT HE WENT STRAIGHT TO HELL.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD BY A NUN AS A WARNING TO HER STUDENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; LANSING-REILLY
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF TALE AMULET FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-06-1970
TALE
A MAN HAD JUST PURCHASED A NEW CAR. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR TWO
WEEKS, HE DISCOVERED AN AWFUL RATTLE IN THE DOOR. TAKING IT TO
A GARAGE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, HE DISCOVERED AN EMPTY
COKE BOTTLE WAS LODGED IN THE DOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): COKE=COCA COLA: BRAND NAME FOR SOFT DRINK. AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
TALE
WHILE HUNTING IN THE UPPER PENINSULA ONE SEASON, I CLIMBED A TREE
TO GET A BETTER VIEW OF THE TERRAIN. THE BRANCH I SAT ON BROKE
AND I FELL INTO WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE A HOLLOW TREE WITH BEAR CUBS
IN IT. KNOWING THAT THE MOTHER BEAR WOULD SOON BE BACK, I TRIED
MY BEST TO CLIMB OUT OF THE TREE, TO NO AVAIL. SO I GRABBED MY
KNIFE AND WAITED FOR HER. JUST THEN, I HEARD HER SCRATCHING HER
WAY UP THE TREE. I SAW HER AT THE TOP OF THE TREE CLIMBING INTO
THE HOLE REAR FIRST, SO I GRABBED HER TAIL AND JABBED MY KNIFE
INTO HER BEHIND. SHE SHOT UP THE TREE, PULLING ME WITH HER. AS
SOON AS WE WERE OUT, I PICKED UP MY GUN AND SHOT HER.
Where learned: NORTHERN MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): SEE ROBERTS' SOUTH FROM HELL-FOR-SATAN, TALE 71.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 08-15-1969
GHOST STORY
ON A STREET CALLED TANGLEWOOD ON BELLE ISLE IN DETROIT
{MICHIGAN}, TEENAGERS USUALLY WENT AT NIGHT TO HAVE
DRINKING PARTIES. THEY SAID THEY ALWAYS SAW A GHOST
DRIVING A WHITE OLDSMOBILE. ONE NIGHT A TEENAGE GIRL
WAS DRIVING ALONE--OUT TO MEET HER FRIENDS ON TANGLEWOOD.
AS SHE WAS DRIVING SHE SAW THIS OLDSMOBILE WITH A GHOST
WHITE DRIVER AND SHE GOT SO SCARED SHE CRASHED INTO A
TREE AND GOT KILLED. NOW THE KIDS SAW THIS AND THEY
SAY THAT IF YOU GO THERE AT NIGHT AND TURN YOUR HEAD-
LIGHTS ON INTO THE WOOD YOU CAN SEE THE YOUNG GIRL
WANDERING AROUND. THEY ALSO SAY THAT HER MOTHER WENT
CRAZY AND ALSO WANDERS AROUND IN THE WOODS AT NIGHT
DRESSED IN WHITE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): TANGLEWOOD, BELLE ISLE, DETROIT, OLDSMOBILE, HEADLIGHTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 04-05-1972
ORDINARY FOLKTALE
A GIRL WANTED TO GO TO A DANCE, BUT HER PARENTS REFUSED
TO LET HER GO. THAT NIGHT SHE SNEAKED OUT HER WINDOW
AND WENT ANYWAY. AT THE DANCE SHE WAS DANCING WITH A
HANDSOME YOUNG MAN WHEN SHE HAPPENED TO GLANCE DOWN AT
HIS FEET. THEY WERE CLOVEN HOOVES!!
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER. DEVIL HAS CLOVEN HOOVES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEVIL SATAN DISOBEDIENCE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
(PROVERB)
SOME GUY WHO WAS A GREAT TRACK STAR IN GREEK TIMES
STARTED TO BRAG HOW GREAT HE WAS. COME THE DAY OF THE
ATHENS-SPARTA MARATHON, AND HE WAS UP FOR IT. HIS
TRADE MARK BESIDES WINNING, WAS HIS CLOTHES, BECAUSE
HE WAS POOR. HE SAVED UP AND FOR THE BIG RACE HE
BOUGHT SHEEP WAX TO POLISH UP HIS CLOTHES SO THEY
LOOKED EXPENSIVE. THE RACE BEGINS. HE RAN AS HARD
AND AS LONG AS HE COULD. ALAS AND ALACK HE WAS
BEATEN.
MORAL: DON'T GLOSS YOUR BRITHCES AFORE YOU RUN IN
THEM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): DON'T CROSS YOUR BRIDGES BEFORE YOU COME TO THEM.
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 10-20-1970
( PUNCH LINE FROM A SONG)
THERE ONCE WAS A FAMOUS SKIN DIVER NAMED OSEE WHO WAS
ASKED TO TEST A NEW UNDERWATER FLASHLIGHT, INVENTED BY
A PROFESSOR DAWNSEARLY. TO CONDUCT THE TEST, THE
SKINDIVER, THE PROFESSOR AND SOME PROFESSIONAL TEST
CONDUCTORS TOOK A SHIP TO THE NEAREST MURKY WATERS.
OSEE SUBMERGED IN A DIVING SUIT EQUIPPED WITH AN
INTERCOM. HE TOLD THE MAN ON BOARD THAT HE WAS TURNING
ON THE FLASHLIGHT. THEN, THROUGH THE INTERCOM THEY
ASKED THE FATAL QUESTION: "OSEE, CAN YOU SEE BY THE
DAWNSEARLY LIGHT?"
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): NATIONAL ANTHEM SONG: OH, SAY, CAN YOU SEE, BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT.
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 11-02-1970