Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Tale returned 80 results.
There once was a professor who was very abrasive in dealing with the students. IOne day he even told one student to go to hell. Well, the student went to Dr. Payne and told him about it..."why he even told me to go to hell!" Dr. Payne replied: "well, if I were you, I wouldn't do it."
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): HELL ; JOKE ; Professor ; Student ; Tale
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Prose Narrative - Weather
When the moon is a half cresent, it's going to rain because the moon is going to tip up and spill the rain out of the corners.
Data entry tech comment:
Entered by TRD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): MOON ; Narrative ; Prose ; Rain ; TALL TALE ; WEATHER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Air Weather Fire |
FARMER BILL'S WILL
THE C.Y.O. BOY'S CAMP IS LOCATED AT PT. SANILAC, MICHIGAN.
MURPHY'S CREEK RUNS THROUGH THE CAMP AND AT ONE POINT, THERE IS A
LARGE SARCOPHAGUS SHAPED STONE IN THE MIDDLE. ON IT ARE A NUMBER OF
SCRAMBLED LETTERS AND NUMBERS. IT IS SAID THAT THIS IS BILL MURPHY'S
GRAVE. HE HAD OWNED AND FARMED THE LAND AT ONE TIME, IF ANY OF THE
CAMPERS STAYED OUT AT NIGHT ON A MOONLESS EVENING, THEY COULD SEE THE
COFFIN LID OPENED. IN THE DISTANCE
A SINGLE FIGURE COULD BE OUTLINED.
IT WAS OLD BILL PLOWING HIS FIELDS. I LEARNED THIS WHEN AT CAMP,
BUT NEVER SAW BILL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Port Sanilac
Keyword(s): Bill ; FARMER ; GHOST ; Haunt ; Legend ; Tale ; Will
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
GHOST IN WHITE
A WOMAN IN WHITE ROAMS THE WOODS OF BELLE ISLE PARK NEAR DOWNTOWN
DETROIT WITH A HOOK-HANDED FRIEND. THIS STORY HAS BEEN AROUND
FOR YEARS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; NEWSPAPER ; DETROIT FREE PRESS
Keyword(s): Belle Isle ; GHOST ; Haunting ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION ; Tale ; Undead
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 08-27-1968
HOT STEAM
A "HOT STEAM" IS SOMEBODY WHO CAN'T
GET TO HEAVEN, JUST WALLOWS AROUND
ON LONESOME ROADS AN' IF YOU WALK THROUGH ONE, WHEN YOU DIE YOU'LL
BE ONE TOO AN' YOU'LL GO AROUND AT
NIGHT SUCKING PEOPLE'S BREATH. YOU
CAN'T KEEP FROM PASSING THROUGH ONE. SOMETIMES THEY STRETCH ALL
THE WAY ACROSS THE ROAD, BUT IF YOU HAFTA GO THROUGH ONE YOU SAY:
ANGEL-BRIGHT, LIFE-IN-DEATH; GET
OFF THE ROAD, DON'T SUCK MY BREATH."
THIS KEEPS THEM FROM WRAPPING AROUND YOU.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ALABAMA ; "To Kill a Mockingbird"
Keyword(s): GHOST ; LITERATURE ; Quote ; Soul ; SUPERSTITION ; Tale
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: UNKNOWN
BOOGIEMAN BELIEF
WHEN I WAS A KID MY PARENTS USED TO TELL ME THAT OLD UNCLE
GEORGE WAS THIS GHOST THAT LIVED IN THE BASEMENT AND
THAT HE WOULD COME UP AT NIGHT AND EAT ME ALIVE IF I WAS BAD.
(I USED TO HAVE A PICTURE IN MY MIND
OF EXACTLY WHAT UNCLE GEORGE LOOKED
LIKE. HE WAS EXTREMELY OLD AND DUMB, LIKE JETHRO.)
Submitter comment:
JETHRO IS A MUSCLE BOUND HILLBILLY OF A SUCCESSFUL TV SHOW CALLED
THE "BEVERLY HILLBILLIES".
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): Boogieman ; CHILDREN ; FUNCTION ; Legend ; Scare ; SUPERSTITION ; Tale ; THREAT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-02-1970
SUPERSTITION
WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN IT WAS A POPULAR PRACTICE TO PUT
YOUR TOOTH WHICH HAD FALLEN OUT UNDER YOUR PILLOW. WE BELIEVED
THAT THE FAIRY GODMOTHER TOOK IT AND REPLACED IT, USUALLY WITH
A DIME OR QUARTER.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Exchange ; Faerie ; Fairy ; Fairytale ; MONEY ; Reward ; SUPERSTITION ; Tooth ; Toothfairy
James Callow Keyword(s): Toothfairy
| Subject headings: | Daily Life BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SLEEP BELIEF
IF YOU CAN NOT GO TO SLEEP AT NIGHT THE SAND
MAN WILL COME AND PUT SAND IN YOUR EYES TO MAKE YOU SLEEP.
IN THE MORNING YOU MAY FIND A GRITTY DEPOSIT IN THE CORNER OF
YOUR EYE. THIS IS SOME OF THE SAND HE USED TO PUT YOU TO SLEEP.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; ETIOLOGY ; Lore ; Sandman ; SLEEP ; SUPERSTITION ; Tale
James Callow Keyword(s): ETIOLOGY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Home BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping |
Date learned: 02-19-1968
SAINT PATRICK'S DAY FESTIVAL AND BELIEFS
SAINT PATRICK DERTA GEROGADE E FRANC OR ALBAN. THAT MEANS SAINT
PATRICK CAME FROM FRANCE OR ENGLAND. WE WERE TAUGHT THAT EXPRESSION
AS CHILDREN. HE WAS SENT BY POPE CELESTINE TO BRING THE CATHOLIC
FAITH TO IRELAND. HE KILLED ALL THE SNAKES IN IRELAND BY SQUASHING
THEM WITH HIS STAFF. HE DIDN'T REALLY EXIST THOUGH. WE WOULD
CELEBRATE SAINT PATRICK'S DAY IN ENGLAND BY WEARING ALL GREEN.
Submitter comment:
"SPELLMAN, BURKE, AND I WOULD GO OUT FOR A WALK IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE
WE HAD NO MONEY AND WE DIDN'T WANT THOSE DAMN ENGLISH TO THINK WE
WERE STAYING HOME ON SAINT PATRICK'S DAY."
MY MOTHER, WHO IS FROM IRELAND, WENT TO NURSING SCHOOL IN ENGLAND IN
1947. SHE CAME FROM A POOR FAMILY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Celebrate ; Green ; holiday ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Legend ; Lore ; Origin ; Saint Patrick's Day ; Tale
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1947 ; 11-22-1979
VEGETABLES BELIEF
EAT VEGETABLES AND YOU WILL SLEEP LESS BUT WILL FEEL BETTER.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Consume ; CUSTOM ; Eat ; Old Wives Tale ; SLEEP ; SUPERSTITION ; VEGETABLE
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 11-02-1971
JEWISH NARRATIVE: CEMETERY
FOUR MEN WERE BOASTING ABOUT THEIR BRAVERY. THEY FINALLY DECIDED
THAT A FAIR TEST WOULD BE A SOLO TRIP THROUGH THE CEMETERY. TO
PROVE THAT THEY HAD TRAVERSED THE ENTIRE ROUTE THEY WERE TO POUND
STAKES INTO THE GROUND PERIODICALLY. THREE OF THE MEN ENTERED THE
CEMETERY AND MET ON THE OTHER SIDE PROUND OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT.
THE FOURTH NEVER RETURNED.
THE NEXT DAY THE THREE WENT IN SEARCH OF HIM AND FOUND HIM DEAD OF
A HEART ATTACK. HE HAD POUNDED A STAKE INTO THE GROUND AND HAD
INADVERTANTLY PINNED THE TAIL OF HIS COAT TO THE GROUND.
APPARENTLY AS HE GOT UP TO COMPLETE HIS JOURNEY, HE WAS
IMMOBILIZED FROM BEHIND BY THE STAKE AND HE SUFFERED A HEART
ATTACK FROM HIS PANIC.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT RELATED THIS STORY AS ONE THAT EVERY JEWISH BOY
LEARNS ABOUT FALSE BRAVERY AND RESPECT FOR THE DEAD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; CEMETERY ; Fable ; Jewish ; Tale
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
JEWISH NARRATIVE: CEMETERY
FOUR MEN WERE BOASTING ABOUT THEIR BRAVERY. THEY FINALLY DECIDED
THAT A FAIR TEST WOULD BE A SOLO TRIP THROUGH THE CEMETERY. TO
PROVE THAT THEY HAD TRAVERSED THE ENTIRE ROUTE THEY WERE TO POUND
STAKES INTO THE GROUND PERIODICALLY. THREE OF THE MEN ENTERED THE
CEMETERY AND MET ON THE OTHER SIDE PROUND OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT.
THE FOURTH NEVER RETURNED.
THE NEXT DAY THE THREE WENT IN SEARCH OF HIM AND FOUND HIM DEAD OF
A HEART ATTACK. HE HAD POUNDED A STAKE INTO THE GROUND AND HAD
INADVERTANTLY PINNED THE TAIL OF HIS COAT TO THE GROUND.
APPARENTLY AS HE GOT UP TO COMPLETE HIS JOURNEY, HE WAS
IMMOBILIZED FROM BEHIND BY THE STAKE AND HE SUFFERED A HEART
ATTACK FROM HIS PANIC.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT RELATED THIS STORY AS ONE THAT EVERY JEWISH BOY
LEARNS ABOUT FALSE BRAVERY AND RESPECT FOR THE DEAD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; BRAVERY ; Fable ; FEAR ; GRAVEYARD ; Jewish ; RESPECT ; Tale
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 02-24-1967
JEWISH NARRATIVE: CEMETERY
FOUR MEN WERE BOASTING ABOUT THEIR BRAVERY. THEY FINALLY DECIDED
THAT A FAIR TEST WOULD BE A SOLO TRIP THROUGH THE CEMETERY. TO
PROVE THAT THEY HAD TRAVERSED THE ENTIRE ROUTE THEY WERE TO POUND
STAKES INTO THE GROUND PERIODICALLY. THREE OF THE MEN ENTERED THE
CEMETERY AND MET ON THE OTHER SIDE PROUND OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT.
THE FOURTH NEVER RETURNED.
THE NEXT DAY THE THREE WENT IN SEARCH OF HIM AND FOUND HIM DEAD OF
A HEART ATTACK. HE HAD POUNDED A STAKE INTO THE GROUND AND HAD
INADVERTANTLY PINNED THE TAIL OF HIS COAT TO THE GROUND.
APPARENTLY AS HE GOT UP TO COMPLETE HIS JOURNEY, HE WAS
IMMOBILIZED FROM BEHIND BY THE STAKE AND HE SUFFERED A HEART
ATTACK FROM HIS PANIC.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT RELATED THIS STORY AS ONE THAT EVERY JEWISH BOY
LEARNS ABOUT FALSE BRAVERY AND RESPECT FOR THE DEAD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; BRAVERY ; Fable ; FEAR ; Jewish ; RESPECT ; Tale
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 02-24-1967
EXPLANATION OF NAME, "MURDER HILL"
THERE IS A STRETCH OF NARROW, WINDING ROAD ON THE SIDE OF A HILL
JUST OUTSIDE OF LITTLE VALLEY, NEW YORK. SIGNS AT EACH END OF THIS
LONG ROAD CALL IT "MURDER HILL."
ONE EXPLANATION OF THE NAME IS THE FACT THAT A FATAL ACCIDENT
COULD EASILY HAPPEN THERE.
ANOTHER EXPLANATION IS A LEGEND THAT A MAN KILLED HIS WIFE AND
THEN HIMSELF IN A HOUSE NOT FAR FROM THE ROAD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NEW YORK ; FRANKLINVILLE
Keyword(s): Murder Hill ; Origin of Name ; Tale ; Urban Legend
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- S478 |
YOU SHOULD NEVER BE MARRIED WITH THE HANDS OF THE
CLOCK POINTING DOWN. IT MEANS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
HAS ALWAYS HEARD THIS, BUT DOESN'T RECALL WHERE
SHE FIRST LEARNED IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CLOCK ; LUCK ; MARRIAGE ; Old Wives Tale ; OMEN ; TIME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Bad luck Crucial moment of life |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
TALL TALE
IT WAS FESTIVAL TIME IN A SMALL VILLAGE IN PANAMA WHERE THERE WAS
DANCING AROUND THE FIRE UNTIL THE SMALL HOURS OF THE MORNING.
WHEN EACH FAMILY STARTED HOME IT WAS FOUND THAT ONE GIRL AND ONE BOY
WERE MISSING FROM THE VILLAGE. A SEARCH WAS COMMENCED AND THE MEN
OF THE VILLAGE BEGAN SETTING OUT FOR THE JUNGLES WHEN ALL OF A
SUDDEN A BOA WITH ITS BODY SWOLLEN APPEARED IN THE VILLAGE SQUARE.
THE FATHER OF THE GIRL, THINKING THE BOA HAD EATEN HIS DAUGHTER
SLICED OFF THE HEAD OF THE SNAKE WITH HIS MACHETE. JUST AT THAT
MOMENT THE TWO CHILDREN APPEARED MYSTERIOUSLY IN THE CROWD OF MEN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: PANAMA AIR FORCE BASE
Keyword(s): Fable ; FESTIVAL ; Jungle ; Snake ; TALL TALE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
PETE AND REPEAT WERE SITTING ON A FENCE. PETE FELL OFF,
WHO WAS LEFT?
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER HILLS
Keyword(s): CHAIN TALE ; Circle ; Endless ; Formula Tale ; JOKE ; Repeat ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
SIMON
SIMON. THERE WAS A MAN WHO WENT FISHING. AS HE SAT NEAR THE
WATER HE HEARD A LOW MOANING: PLEASE DONT CATCH ME SIMON, PLEASE.
THE MAN PAID NO ATTENTION AND SOON CAUGHT A FISH
HE WENT HOME AND PREPARED TO COOK THE FISH AND AGAIN HEARD A MOAN
WHICH WAS A LITTLE LOUDER.: PLEASE DONT COOK ME SIMON, PLEASE.
AGAIN HE PAID NO ATTENTION, COOKED THE FISH AND BEGAN TO EAT.
THEN HE HEARD ANOTHER LOW MOAN: PLEASE DONT EAT ME SIMON, PLEASE.
THE MAN WENT ON AND ATE THE FISH AND SOON WENT TO BED. THEN HE HEARD
ANOTHER MOAN THAT KEPT GETTING LOUDER AND CLOSER: SIMON I TOLD
YOU NOT TO CATCH ME AND COOK ME AND EAT ME. SUDDENLY A SHOUT:
SIMON.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS BEST TOLD TO LITTLE KIDS IN THE DARK. THE TELLER
MUST AT FIRST MOAN SLOW AND VERY LOW AND GET LOUDER AS THE STORY
GOES ON. AT THE SHOUT, THE TELLER SHOULD JUMP AND GRAB ONE OF THE
CHILDREN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; TOMS RIVER
Keyword(s): CATCH TALE ; Circle ; Endless ; Endless ; FISH ; Fisherman ; ROUND ; Scare ; Simon ; Tale ; Tale
James Callow Keyword(s): JUMP TALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00001970S
HOW GOD MADE "FLUTTER-BYS"
WELL, THE LORD HAD JUST FINISHED MAKING THE WORLD AND HE SAT BACK
IN HIS BIG OL' ROCKER TO LOOK IT OVER. "NOT A BAD JOB, IF I SAY SO
MYSELF." HE LIT UP A BIG, FINE CIGAR AND WAS FEELING PRETTY GOOD
ABOUT IT UNTIL HE NOTICED THAT THE WORLD LOOKED KIND OF BARE. THE
FACT OF THE MATTER WAS THERE WASN'T A THING TO THE WORLD EXCEPT LAND,
TREES AND A LOTS OF WATER. THERE WAS EVEN MORE WATER THAN LAND.
"WONDER HOW I DID THAT," THE LORD SAID. "SEEMS TO ME I'D PLANNED FOR
THERE TO BE MORE LANDTHAN WATER." WELL, HE SHRUGGED HIS SHOULDERS AND
TURNED HIS MIND TO MAKE THE WORLD LOOK A BIT PRETTIER. "GIMME MY
PRUNING SHEARS," HE CALLED OUT AND ONE OF THE CUTE, LITTLE ANGELS RAN
AND GOT THEM. THEN THE GREAT LORD ALMIGHTY LEANED OUT OF HIS ROCKING
CHAIR, TRIMMED THE TREES, AND THREW THE TRIMMINGS ALL OVER THE EMPTY
GROUND. THAT'S WHAT MADE THE GRASS, BUSHES, AND ALL THE FLOWERS.
"NOW THAT DON'T LOOK TOO BAD," HE SAID AND LEANED BACK. "YESSIRY
I'VE DONE MADE A AWFUL PRETTY WORLD." AND SO SAYING, HE WENT TO BED
TO REST UP FROM ALL THAT WORK. THE NEXT MORNING THE LORD HADN'T EVEN
HAD ONE EYE OPEN YET, WHEN HE HEARD THE FLOWERS WHISPERING AMONG
THEMSELVES, "IT'S LONELY DOWN HERE"; THE OTHER FLOWER SAID, "WE
WERE PUT HERE TO KEEP THE GROUND COMPANY AND MAKE EVERYTHING LOOK
PRETTY, BUT IT SURE IS MIGHTY LONELY." THE LORD SHOOK HIS HEAD IN
DISGUST. "HAVE MERCY, FATHER. YOU GET THROUGH MAKING ONE THANG AND
AND THE NEXT THANG YOU KNOW YOU GOTTA MAKE SOMETHING TO GO WITH THE
FIRST. GIMME THEM LITTLE SHEARS, ONE OF YOU ANGELS, PLEASE." AN
ANGEL BROUGHT HIM THE TEENICHY PAIR OF SHEARS AND HE BENT OVER TO THE
EARTH AND STARTED SNIPPING LITTLE PIECES OFF OF EVERYTHING - THE SKY,
THE GROUND, THE TREES, THE ANIMALS, THE BUSHES, THE FLOWERS;
EVERYTHING HE PUT HIS SHEARS ON, GOT SNIPPED. "THE VERY IDEA OF
GETTING COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WORLD AND IT AIN'T EVEN A DAY OLD.
THAT'S GRATITUDE." THE LORD HAD A FEELING HE WAS GOING TO BE GETTING
COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WORLD FROM THEN ON. HE WAS SO MAD THAT HE DID
NOT CARE WHAT HE SNIPPED - SNIP, SNIP, ALL MORNING LONG. WELL, WHEN
THE FOLKS LOOKED UP AND SAW THE TINY CLIPPINGS FLUTTERING AROUND.
THEY CALLED THEM FLUTTER-BYS. THE BLUE FLUTTER-BYS HAD BEEN SNIPPED
FROM THE SKY; THE YELLOW FLUTTER-BYS HAD BEEN CLIPPINGS FROM THE SUN;
AND THERE WERE THE LORD'S WHITE FLUTTER-BYS THAT WERE CLIPPINGS FROM
THE STARS. EVERY COLOR FLUTTER-BY YOU COULD THINK OF WAS FLUTTERING
AROUND.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS ANOTHER LONG NARRATIVE WITH A STRONG BLACK IMAGE, AS REFERRED
TO IN MY COLLECTION'S SEQUENCE NUMBER 731772-1; I GET THE
IMPRESSION THAT THIS IS A BLACK GOD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Butterfly ; CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; God ; NAME ; Origin ; PERSONIFICATION ; Tale
James Callow Keyword(s): PERSONIFICATION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life SPEECH -- Proper Name |
Date learned: 00-00-1954
VEGETABLES BELIEF
EAT VEGETABLES AND YOU WILL SLEEP LESS BUT WILL FEEL BETTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; E313
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Consume ; CUSTOM ; Eat ; Old Wives Tale ; SLEEP ; SUPERSTITION ; VEGETABLE
James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 11-02-1971