Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ANIMALS returned 131 results.
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
WHEN I WAS YOUNG, I USED TO LEAVE FOOD FOR SNATA
CLAUS AND HAY FOR HIS REINDEER.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; TOLD AT ; SOUTH QUAD
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus |
Date learned: 10-23-1970
Christmas Bean Serving
IT IS A POLISH CUSTOM, DURING CHRISTMAS
EVE DINNER, FOR ALL THE CHILDREN TO SAVE
ONE SPOONFUL OF BEANS UNTIL THE END OF
THE BEAN SERVING. THEY TAKE THIS SPOON AND
GO TO THE BACKDOOR AND THROW THEM
OUTSIDE.
Submitter comment:
THE REASON IS TO SYMBOLICALLY OFFER
THE WOLF FOOD SO HE WILL NOT COME
TO THE DOOR DURING THE UPCOMING YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 11-00-1968
Entry filtered.
THE BEAVER FAMILY
PAPA BEAVER WAS SAYING GRACE BEFORE SUPPER:
"GOD BLESS MAMA DAM, PAPA DAM, BROTHER DAM, SISTER DAM..."
BABY DAM INTERRUPTED HIM--
"GOD BLESS THE WHOLE DAM FAMILY!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC
Keyword(s): BLESSING ; DAMN ; HUMOR ; PRAYERS ; TALKING ANIMALS ; WORD PLAY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
STORY OF THE STORK
ONE DAY GOD GAVE A MAN A BAG TO CARRY BUT DIDN'T
TELL THE MAN WHAT WAS IN IT. HE TOLD THE MAN TO CARRY THIS BAG
TO A CERTAIN PLACE ON EARTH BUT NOT TO OPEN IT OR LOOK INSIDE.
SO THE MAN TOOK THE BAG BUT GOT CURIOUS AND OPENED IT AND OUT
CAME ALL KINDS OF SNAKES AND FROGS AND WATER ANIMALS.
GOD GOT MAD AND TURNED THE MAN INTO A STORK AND GAVE HIM A LONG
BILL AND LONG LEGS SO HE COULD GO IN SWAMPS AND
GATHER ALL THE ANIMALS HE SET FREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CREATION ; MYTH ; STORK ; WATER ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life |
Date learned: 04-07-1972
Entry filtered.
SHAGGY DOG TALE
ONCE THERE WAS THIS MAN WHO HAD A DOG THAT COULD TALK. HE TOOK THIS
DOG TO THE LOCAL TAVERN AND BEGAN TO BRAG ABOUT HIS TALKING DOG.
"I DON'T BELIEVE IT" SAID THE BARTENDER. "YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO
PROVE IT" SAID ONE OF THE CUSTOMERS. "ALL RIGHT" SAID THE MAN
TURNING TO HIS DOG, "WHO WAS THE GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYER IN
HISTORY?" HE ASKED THE DOG. THE DOG REPLIED, "ROOF, ROOF."
UPON HEARING THIS THE PEOPLE IN THE BAR GOT PRETTY MAD AND
THREW THE MAN AND HIS DOG OUT ONTO THE STREET. CONFUSED,
THE DOG LOOKED UP TO HIS MASTER AND ASKED, "WAS IT WILLIE MAYS?"
Submitter comment: TOLD IN CAJUN DIALECT ON A JUSTIN WILSON RECORD
Data entry tech comment:
CHAPTER 7 IN "WITCRACKS BY ALVIN SCHWARTZ
SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; DOG ; HUMOR ; SURPRISE ENDING ; TALKING ANIMALS ; TAVERN
James Callow Keyword(s): BABE RUTH
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- B203 PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
A STORY INVOLVING A MIRACLE
ONCE THERE WAS A WEALTHY MAN AND HIS WIFE. THEY WERE SO WELL
OFF THAT THEY WEREN'T CAREFUL ABOUT CRUMBS AND BREAD. BUT AFTER
EATING, THE WIFE WOULD GO AROUND AND GATHER UP ALL THE CRUMBS AND
FEED THE BIRDS OUTSIDE, BUT SHE HAD TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE THE
HUSBAND DIDN'T LIKE IT.
ONCE HE CAUGHT HER WITH HER HANDS FULL OF CRUMBS AND ASKED TO SEE
WHAT WAS IN HER HANDS. SHE HID HER FISTS BEHIND HER BACK. (THE
INFORMANT MADE THAT SAME GESTURE.) BUT HE STILL ASKED TO SEE WHAT
SHE HAD. WHEN HE MADE HER OPEN HER HANDS THERE WAS NOTHING IN
THEM BUT A CRUCIFIX. THE BREAD HAD TURNED INTO CHRIST.
Submitter comment:
AS TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HER MOTHER WHO TOLD IT AS TRUE.
TOLD AS WE WERE EATING DINNER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DAUGHTERS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): KINDNESS TO ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-26-1969
A DOG IS ONE OF THE MOST PERCEPTIVE OF ANIMALS. HE IS ABLE TO
HAVE SOME SORT OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE DEAD. THERE WAS AN
INSTANCE IN NORTHERN OHIO, WHERE MRS. CAMPBELL GREW UP WHICH SHOWED
THIS POWER OF THE DOG. A WOMAN DIES AND WAS BURIED. THE FAMILY
DOG WOULD BE GONE ALL DAY FROM THE HOME AND RETURN AT NIGHT MUDDY
AND TIRED. THIS WENT ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK. FINALLY THEY DECIDED
TO FOLLOW THE DOG AND SEE WHAT IT WAS DOING. THEY FOLLOWED IT TO
A CEMETERY WHERE THEY FOUND THAT HE HAD BEEN DIGGING TO THE DEAD
WOMAN'S COFFIN. THEY OPENED THE COFFIN AND FOUND OUT THAT THE
WOMAN HAD BEEN BURIED ALIVE.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): FAITHFUL ANIMALS
James Callow Keyword(s): PREMATURE BURIAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Characteristics of Animals PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
WITCH TALE
"MY MOTHER TOLD ME THAT ONE TIME A TURTLE WAS EATING ALL THE SOUR
CREAM AND EACH DAY IT WAS DISAPPEARING AND THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT
WHERE IT WAS GOING. SO ONE DAY THEY GOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO FIND WHAT
WAS GETTING AT THE CREAM. THEY SAW IT WAS A TURTLE. SO THEY BEAT
IT WITH A WIDE SHOVEL. SO THEY DISCOVERED IN THIS TURTLE WAS AN
OLD LADY. SO HOW THEY FOUND OUT IT WAS AN OLD LADY, THEY SAW HER
WALKING DOWN THE STREET THE NEXT DAY CRIPPLED UP WITH A BACK ACHE.
SO WHEN SHE TOLD SHE WAS BEAT WITH A SHOVEL. SO SHE NEVER STOLE NO
MORE SOUR CREAM."
Submitter comment:
THE MOTHER OF THE INFORMANT WAS BORN IN HUNGARY AND RAISED IN EUROPE
SHE CAME TO THE UNITED STATES AND LIVED ON A FARM IN SCRANTON, PENN.
WITH HER HUSBAND AND FAMILY.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
James Callow Keyword(s): PENNSYLVANIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 11-10-1970
SNAKE LEGEND
IN THE MOUNTAINS OF ITALY, THERE WERE MANY MAGICAL GOLDEN SNAKES.
THESE SNAKES WOULD HIDE THEMSELVES FROM THE OTHER ANIMALS. AS WELL A
FROM PEOPLE. ONLY A VERY LUCKY PERSON WILL EVER SEE ONE. HOWEVER, IF
A PERSON IS LUCKY ENOUGH TO SEE ONE OF THESE SNAKES, THEN HE SHOULD
TALK TO IT AND NOT BE AFRAID. THE SNAKE WILL THEN DISAPPEAR. BUT
LEAVE BEHIND HIS GOLDEN SKIN. THIS SKIN IS WORTH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
NOWADAYS, YOU WON'T FIND BUT A FEW OF THESE SNAKES LIVING BECAUSE
MANY STRANGERS WHO HAVE COME TO THE MOUNTAINS HAVE FRIGHTENED THEM
AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; HISTORICAL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal |
Date learned: 09-20-1969
PROVERBS
IF THE DOG HADN'T STOPPED TO TAKE A SHIT HE WOULD HAVE GOT THE
RABBIT.
Submitter comment: TOLD BY HIS GRANDFATHER DURING A GAME OF BRIDGE.
Data entry tech comment: NONE
Where learned: RESIDENCE HALLS ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT CAMPUS
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
MUCH FAVORED ' SHIT ' VERSES
IF THE DOG DIDN'T STOP TO SHIT, HE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT A RABBIT.
Submitter comment: NONE
Data entry tech comment: DO NOT TRY TO DO TWO THINGS AT ONCE.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
IF YOU LIE DOWN WITH DOGS, YOU GET FLEAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
James Callow Keyword(s): FRIENDS ASSOCIATES BAD COMPANY ; INSECTS ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
RUSSIAN PROVERB
IF YOU LIVE WITH WOLVES LEARN TO HOWL LIKE A WOLF.
Where learned: RUSSIA ; MOSCOW
Keyword(s): ANIMALS TEMPER
James Callow Keyword(s): ADAPTABILITY ; ADVICE: POSITIVE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
IF YOU PLAY WITH PUPPY, PUPPY WILL LICK YOUR MOUTH.
Submitter comment:
THIS MIGHT SOUND A LITTLE STRANGE, TILL YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S ABOUT.
THE THINGS YOU DON'T WANT THE PUBLIC TO SEE, YOU SHOULDN'T DO AT ALL
BECAUSE THERE'S BOUND TO BE A MISTAKE SOMETIME, TO CAUSE YOUR
REPUTATION TO FALL.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): EMPLOYMENT ANIMALS DOGS
James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVATION PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 02-01-1972
IF YOU'RE GONNA RIDE HIGH ON THE HOG, YOU BETTER TAKE SOME SPARE RIB
ON THE WAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANATOMY ANIMALS PORK
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; LIVING LAVISHLY, EXTRAVAGANTLY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
GUY WHO HATES HIS JOB
I HATE THIS WORSE THAN A RACOON HATES AN AXE HANDLE.
Submitter comment: ARKANSAS ORIGIN?
Where learned: HOME ; NOT RECORDED
Keyword(s): DISSATISFACTION WITH AN UNPLEASANT JOB
James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 10-01-1968
IF YOU WOULD HAVE A CHICKEN LAY, YOU FIRST MUST HEAR HER
CACKLE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S UNCLE HAS TOLD HIM THIS PROVERB OFTEN. HIS UNCLE
OWNS A CHICKEN FARM AND INFORMANT BELIEVES HIS GREAT UNCLE
WAS THE ORIGINATOR OF THIS SAYING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ADVICE ; ANIMALS ; BIRTH
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-28-1971
LEGEND
THERE IS A STORY ABOUT THE HORSE BY THE NAME OF DOLLY, EACH DAY THE
NUNS AT THE CONVENT AT ADRIAN TOOK DOLLY ALONG THE SAME ROUTE. ONE
DAY AFTER MAKING THE USUAL TRIP THE NUNS WERE DELAYED. THE TIME OF
DEPARTURE ARRIVED AND PASSED. DOLLY LEFT, WENT DOWNTOWN MADE ALL OF
THE USUAL STOPS AND RETURNED TO HER PLACE IN TIME FOR HER MEAL AT THE
USUAL TIME.
Submitter comment: THE NUNS AT THE DOMINICAN CONVENT AT ADRIAN TELL THIS ONE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-03-1967