The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

KVAILYS (THE DUMMY)

ONE TIME, THERE LIVED A BOY WITH HIS MOTHER. ONE
DAY, HIS MOTHER CALLED TO HIM AND ASKED HIM TO GO
TO HIS GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE TO SEE IF SHE WAS ALL
RIGHT. HE WENT AND AS A PRESENT, HIS GRANDMOTHER
GAVE HIM A NEEDLE. ON THE WAY HOME, HE SAW A WAGON
LOAD OF HAY GOING BY, SO HE DECIDED TO HOP ON IT AND
GET A RIDE. THINKING TO HIMSELF THAT HE MUST BE VERY
CAREFUL AND NOT LOSE THE NEEDLE, HE STUCK IT IN THE
HAY BESIDE HIM. WHEN HE GOT HOME, HIS MOTHER ASKED
HIM IF HE GOT ANYTHING. HE TOLD HER THAT GRANDMOTHER
HAD GIVEN HIM A NEEDLE, BUT HAVING STUCK IT IN THE
HAY, HE CAN'T FIND IT. HIS MOTHER TOLD HIM THAT HE
SHOULD HAVE STUCK THE NEEDLE IN HIS HAT AND THEN HE
WOULDN'T HAVE LOST IT. HER SON SAID THAT HE WILL
REMEMBER THAT NEXT TIME.
THE FOLLOWING WEEK, HIS GRANDMOTHER INVITED HIM
OVER AGAIN. THIS TIME, BEFORE HE LEFT, SHE GAVE HIM
A PUPPY. REMEMBERING WHAT HIS MOTHER SAID ABOUT THE
NEEDLE AND STICKING IT IN YOUR HAT, HE STUCK THE PUPPY
UNDER IT. BY THE TIME HE GOT HOME, THE PUPPY WAS DEAD.
WHEN HE GOT HOME, HE TOLD HIS MOTHER WHAT HAPPENED
AND SHE TOLD HIM THAT HE SHOULD'VE TIED SOME ROPE
AROUND HIS NECK AND WALKED HIM HOME. HE SAID THAT
HE'LL REMEMBER THE NEXT TIME.
SOON AFTER THAT, HIS GRANDMOTHER INVITED HIM OVER
AGAIN AND THIS TIME SHE GAVE HIM A LARGE SLAB OF
BACON. REMEMBERING WHAT HIS MOTHER SAID ABOUT THE
PUPPY, HE TIED SOME ROPE AROUND THE BACON AND
DRAGGED IT HOME. BUT ON THE WAY, THE DOGS GOT
A WIFF OF THE BACON AND THEY RAN UP AND DEVOURED
IT. WHEN THE DUMMY GOT HOME, HE TOLD HIS MOTHER
WHAT HAPPENED, AND SHE THREW UP HER ARMS IN THE
AIR AND CRIED: "I GIVE UP ON YOU! HOW COULD A
SON OF MINE BE SO STUPID?" AND SHE SENT HIM UP TO
BED WITH NO DINNER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

James Callow Keyword(s): SEE STORY OF EPANDAMANDUS

Date learned: 03-28-1972

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