The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IN A LITTLE ITALIAN CITY THERE LIVED A VERY POOR
MAN. ALL HE OWNED WAS AN OLD BICYCLE OF WHICH HE WAS
VERY PROUD. ONE DAY HE WENT TO A SMALL GROCERY
STORE TO BUY SOME VEGETABLES AND WHEN HE CAME
BACK, HE FOUND HIS BICYCLE ALL BROKEN INTO LITTLE
PIECES--PROBABLY SOME EVIL BOY DECIDED TO PLAY A
BAD JOKE ON HIM. THE MAN BEGAN TO CRY. AT THAT
TIME, A FUNERAL PROCESSION ARRIVED AND THE MAN JOINED THE
RELATIVES OF THE DEAD WOMAN, CRYING SO PITIFULLY THAT
A FRIEND OF THE DEAD WOMAN STOPPED HIM AND SAID,
"COME ON NOW, SHE WAS OLD AND DECREPIT, YOU KNOW."
TO THAT THE MAN REPLIED, "YES, BUT SHE STILL HAD
TWO PEDALS AND A HANDLE-BAR!"

Submitter comment: THE ABOVE IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE FUNNY STORIES CHILDREN
TELL IN ITALY. I REMEMBER HEARING AND TELLING ONE
SIMILAR TO THIS WHEN I WAS YOUNGER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION---ITALIAN VERSION ON 5 X 8 CARD.

Date learned: 10-06-1971

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