The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IRISH LEGEND

IN IRELAND, MY GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERED THIS STORY AS TOLD TO HER
FROM THE PULPIT BY THE PARISH PRIEST. MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO TELL
SUCH STORIES TO ME AND MY BROTHERS WHEN WE WERE SMALL CHILDREN AND
WE SLEPT WITH HER. A YOUNG BOY WAS WALKING DOWN THE ROAD ON A COLD
WINTER DAY. AT A CROSSROAD HE MET ANOTHER BOY, A BIT YOUNGER, WHO
LOOKED VERY POOR, HE HAD NO COAT TO PROTECT HIM FROM THE WIND
OR RAIN. THE FIRST BOY FELT SORRY FOR THE LITTLE ONE AND GAVE HIM
HIS NICE WARM COAT. UPON RETURNING HOME THE OLDER BOY WAS SCOLDED
BY HIS MOTHER AND PUNISHED FOR GIVING AWAY HIS COAT. BESIDES
HE BECAME ILL BECAUSE HE WAS ALL WET AND COLD. YEARS LATER THE
OLDER BOY BECAME A PRIEST. HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS WITNESSED HIS
FIRST MASS. AS HE LOOKED UP TO HEAVEN DURING THE MASS THERE WAS
A STRANGE LIGHT ABOVE THE ALTAR. THERE IN VIEW OF EVERY-BODY
APPEARED THE CHILD JESUS AND HE WAS SMILING AND WEARING THE SAME
LITTLE COAT WHICH THE PRIEST HAD GIVEN AWAY YEARS BEFORE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHARITY ; VISION OF JESUS

Date learned: 00-00-1937

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