The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

WEDDING CUSTOM

NANCY HONKS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME GONE. AT HER FOURTH WEDDING
RECEPTION THE GROOM IN REMOVING THE GARTER TO THROW TO THE MALE
GUESTS, HE CAME UP WITH A VARICOSE VEIN. THERE WAS NO HONEYMOON.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: 02-01-1971

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CUCKOO CLOCKS

IN THE BLACK FOREST OF GERMANY, IT IS A VERY LARGE TRADE TO MAKE
CUCKOO CLOCKS. THE PEOPLE FROM THE PLATT AREA EXPLAIN THIS BY
SAYING THAT WHEN GERMANY BEGAN TO BE POPULATED ALL THE PEOPLE WHO
COULD NOT READ OR WRITE AND WERE OF LOW INTELLIGENCE WERE HERDED
INTO THE BLACK FOREST TO SPEND THEIR LIVES. THEY TOOK WITH THEM
ONLY WHAT THEY NORMALLY CARRIED. FOR MOST OF THE MEN, THIS MEANT
KNIVES. BECAUSE THE WOODS WERE SO DENSE AND DARK, THE ONLY THING
THE PEOPLE COULD DO WAS CARVE AND WHITTLE WOOD TO THIN OUT THE
FOREST AND MAKE IT LIGHTER. AS THIS HAPPENED, THE PEOPLE BECAME
MORE TECHNICAL AND THEIR PASTIME OF WHITTLING TURNED INTO THE
ART OF CLOCK-MAKING.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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PAPARTIS BLOOM (FERN BLOOM)

THE LEGEND OF THE FERN BLOOM IS A VERY POPULAR AND FAVORITE AMONG
THE PEOPLE OF THE LITHUANIAN FARMS. IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A
PERSON FINDS THIS BLOOM, HE FINDS OUT WHERE EVERYTHING IS HIDDEN,
HE CAN LOOK INTO THE FUTURE AND BECOMES VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE. BUT
A PERSON CAN HOPE FOR ANY LUCK AT ALL, ONLY ON ST. JOHN'S EVE--
THAT IS, ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S EVE, JUNE 23RD. JUNE 23RD IS
SUPPOSED TO BE (THE) SHORTEST NIGHT AND THE LONGEST DAY. WHEN
NIGHT COMES, ABOUT AN HOUR LATER THE SKY IN THE EAST IS ALREADY
TURNING LIGHT--BY 3:00 A.M., IT IS LIGHT AS DAY. THERE ARE MANY
STORIES AND TALES ABOUT THE FERN BLOOM AND TWO OF THEM FOLLOW.
THEY SAY THAT ON ONE ST. JOHN'S EVE, THE HORSES OF A FARMER
DISAPPEARED. THE FARMER SENT HIS STABLE BOY TO LOOK FOR THEM.
WHILE HE WAS WALKING THROUGH THE FOREST, SUDDENLY EVERYTHING
TURNED VERY VERY BRIGHT . . . AND HE FOUND HIMSELF BEING ABLE TO
SEE EVERYTHING CLEARLY. (TRANSLATOR'S NOTE: A FERN BLOOM BLOOMS
VERY BRIGHTLY. WHEN YOU SEE ONE, YOU GET POWERS THAT ENABLE YOU
TO SEE IN THE FUTURE, WHERE EVERYTHING IS AND IS HIDDEN.) HE ALSO
KNEW WHERE THE HORSES WERE AND WHEN HE FETCHED THEM, HE FOUND OUT
THAT HIS FARMER'S NEIGHBOR HAD SOME GOLD BURIED UNDER AN APPLE
TREE AT THE END OF HIS ORCHARD. HE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT HIS LIFE
WILL BE VERY HARD AND HE WILL REMAIN POOR. HE THEN THOUGHT WHY
SHOULD HE REMAIN POOR IF HE KNEW WHERE THE GOLD WAS BURIED. SO
HE STARTED TOWARD THE NEIGHBOR'S ORCHARD, BUT THEN NOTICED THAT
IT WAS GETTING LIGHT OUT, SO HE DECIDED TO WAIT TILL THE FOLLOWING
NIGHT. INSTEAD, HE DECIDED HE'LL GET SOME SLEEP. SO HE TOOK OFF
HIS MOCCASINS AND STRETCHED OUT BY A WELL. BUT AS HE WAS TAKING
THE MOCCASINS OFF, THERE WAS A SUDDEN FLASH LIKE THAT OF A
DIAMOND. THE STABLE-BOY DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT, SO HE
FELL ASLEEP.
IN THE MORNING, HOWEVER, WHEN HE AWOKE, HE COULDN'T REMEMBER
ANYTHING FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE . . . HE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHERE
THERE WAS ANY GOLD BURIED.

Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN BY RAMUNI STONYS.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: 01-17-1972

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HOW TO FIND A FERN BLOOM

TO FIND THIS BLOOM, YOU HAVE TO BE VERY BRAVE. FIRST OF ALL, YOU
HAVE TO GO DEEP INTO THE FOREST AT NIGHT, AS SOON AS IT GETS DARK.
YOU HAVE TO GO SO FAR THAT YOU WOULDN'T HEAR THE ROOSTER CROWING
AT DAWN, AND THAT IS A GOOD THREE OR FOUR MILES.
WHEN YOU GET INTO THE WOODS, THE PERSON HAS TO DRAW A CIRCLE TWO
STEPS IN DIAMETER AND RADIUS. THEN HE HAS TO SIT DOWN IN THE
MIDDLE, LIGHT A CANDLE AND WAIT TILL HE FINDS THE FERN BLOOM.
IN THE MEANTIME, ALL SORTS OF GOBLINS AND SUPERNATURALS COME UP
TO HIM TRYING TO SCARE HIM. THEY MAKE ALL KINDS OF HORRIBLE FACES
AND STRANGE NOISES. IF THE PERSON GETS FRIGHTENED JUST ONE LITTLE
BIT, HE WILL NOT FIND THE BLOOM. IF HE STICKS IT OUT AND ISN'T
FRIGHTENED, THEN CHANCES ARE THAT HE WILL FIND THE BLOOM. SO IT
IS ONLY THE BRAVEST THAT WILL FIND THE FERN BLOOM.
IN REALITY, THE FERN NEVER BLOOMS. BUT AMONG THE PEOPLE IT IS
BELIEVED TO BLOOM ON ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S EVE--JUNE 23.

Submitter comment: TRANSLATED BY RAMUNI STONYS.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: 01-17-1972

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VANISHING HITCHHIKER

A FRIEND OF MINE WAS DRIVING BY THE BUCKET OF BLOOD
{CEMETERY AT MT. ELIOT AND VERNOR} {DETROIT, MICHIGAN}
WHILE IT WAS RAINING WHEN HE STOPPED FOR A LIGHT.
THE BACK DOOR OF HIS CAR OPENED AND CLOSED. HE DON'T KNOW
WHY BUT HE DROVE TO MACK AND BRUSH WHERE HE CAUGHT THAT
LIGHT. THE SAME DOOR OPENED AND CLOSED AGAIN.

Submitter comment: BUCKET OF BLOOD CEMETERY

Data entry tech comment: MOUNT OLIVET CEMETERY?

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: 11-05-1971

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THE PRIEST'S VISITOR

ONCE UPON A TIME ON A COLD WINTER NIGHT IN A SMALL
TOWN A VISITING PRIEST CAME TO THE OLD CHURCH RECTORY.
WHEN HE CAME TO THE DOOR THE PASTOR WAS ON HIS WAY OUT.
AFTER A BRIEF INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR HAD EXPLAINED
THAT HE HAD TO GO ON A SICK CALL TO A NEIGHBORING VILLAGE
AND WITH THE WEATHER THE WAY IT WAS, HE WOULD PROBABLY
NOT BE BACK UNTIL LATER ON THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE
YOUNG PRIEST SAID HE WOULD MAKE HIMSELF AT HOME AND TAKE
CARE OF THE MORNING MASSES. LATER THAT NIGHT, THE PRIEST
BEGAN TO HEAR NOICES AND GROANS COMING FROM THE BASEMENT.
HE HELD HIMSELF TOGETHER AND WENT DOWN INTO THE BASE-
MENT. THERE HE FOUND A MAN WITH A BLANKET WRAPPED AROUND
HIM IN THE CORNER OF THE COLD BASEMENT. AS THE PRIEST
TRIED TO QUESTION THE MAN BETWEEN HIS GROANS OF PAIN, HE
PIECED TOGETHER THAT THE MAN HAD COME THROUGH AN UNLOCKED
WINDOW IN SEARCH OF WARMTH FROM THE COLD. NOW HE WAS
DYING. THE YOUNG PRIEST HEARD THE MAN'S CONFESSION AND
GAVE HIM THE LAST SACRAMENTS. SOON, HE DIED.
THE NEXT DAY THE PASTOR RETURNED. BEFORE THE PRIEST
TOLD HIS EXPERIENCES OF THE NIGHT BEFORE THE PASTOR
SAID, "IN MY HASTE I FORGOT TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE CORPSE
WRAPPED IN THE BLANKET IN THE BASEMENT. THE TOWN MEN
FOUND HIM FROZEN TO DEATH IN THE WOODS, A VAGRANT WE
GUESS. WE'LL NEVER KNOW. WE WOULD HAVE BURIED HIM
BUT THE GROUND WAS TOO HARD TO DIG."

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: WHILE COLLECTOR WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL

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ORDINARY FOLKTALE

A LITTLE GIRL ALWAYS SLAPPED HER ELDERS WHEN SHE GREW
ANGRY. SHE DIED AND WHEN HER MOTHER VISITED THE GRAVE,
HER HAND WAS STICKING OUT OF THE GRAVE. IT DID NOT RETURN
TO THE EARTH UNTIL HER MOTHER SLAPPED IT FOR THE MANY
TIMES THE LITTLE GIRL WENT UNPUNISHED.

Submitter comment: SLAPPING CAUSES HAND OF BURIED SINNER TO RETURN UNDERGROUND IN GRAVE

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: 00-00-1952

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ONCE A MAN AND HIS GIRLFRIEND KILLED HIS WIFE AND THEN
GOT MARRIED AND LIVED IN THE SAME MANSION AS THE MAN'S
WIFE. THEY WERE HAPPY WITH EACH OTHER. ONE DAY THE
MAN'S NEW WIFE NOTICED A SPOT ON THE WALL AND ORDERED THE
MAIDS TO CLEAN THE WALL. THE SPOT DID NOT COME OFF BUT
GOT LARGER WITH TIME. EVENTUALLY IT BEGAN TO TAKE A FORM.
THE MAN'S NEW WIFE BECAME OBSESSED WITH THE IMAGE. IN
TIME IT WAS STARTING TO LOOK LIKE A HUMAN FACE. AFTER
THE IMAGE JUST ABOUT DROVE THE PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR MINDS
IT TOOK THE EXACT FORM OF THE MAN'S FIRST WIFE. THE NEW
WIFE WENT CRAZY BECAUSE SHE WAS THE ONE WHO KILLED THE
FIRST WIFE.

Submitter comment: SPOT ON WALL GROWS INTO IMAGE OF MURDERED PERSON. UNABLE TO REMOVE
IT, THE MURDERER GOES INSANE.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: 11-15-1968

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THERE WAS ONCE A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG GIRL WHOSE MOTHER HAD JUST DIED.
HER FATHER REMARRIED, AND HER STEPMOTHER HAD A DAUGHTER OF HER OWN.
THE GIRL HAD A SMALL DOG AND THE STEPMOTHER USED TO BEAT BOTH THE DOG
AND THE GIRL. ONE DAY THE STEPMOTHER TOLD THE GIRL TO GO OUT AND GET
STRAW FOR THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE. WHILE THE GIRL WAS GONE, THE
STEPMOTHER DUG A PIT IN FRONT OF THE DOORSTEP AND FILLED IT WITH
HOT COALS. THEN WHEN THE GIRL CAME BACK THE DOG WARNED THE GIRL
OF THE DANGER. THE STEPMOTHER BEAT BOTH THE GIRL AND THE DOG, AND
ASKED THE FATHER TO TAKE THE GIRL OUT IN THE WOODS AND ABANDON HER.
THE GIRL WANDERED ALL DAY IN THE WOODS AFTER SHE WAS ABANDONED.
TOWARDS EVENING SHE SPOTTED A SMALL CABIN, GOING INSIDE SHE FOUND A
LARGE STOVE STILL BURNING. SHE WAS VERY SLEEPY AND IMMEDIATELY FELL
ASLEEP ON THE WARM STOVE. NOT TOO LONG AFTER A LARGE BEAR CAME IN.
HE SAW THE GIRL AND ASKED HER WHAT SHE WAS DOING HERE. SHE ANSWERED
POLITELY THAT SHE WAS ONLY LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO SLEEP. THE BEAR
THEN TOLD HER TO MAKE HIM SOME SUPPER. SHE DID. THEN HE TOLD HER TO
SCRATCH HIS LEFT EAR. SHE DID AND THEN ALL SORTS OF FOOD FLOWED OUT.
THEN HE TOLD HER TO SCRATCH HIS RIGHT EAR, AND AS SHE DID ALL SORTS
OF RICHES FLOWED. THE NEXT MORNING SHE LEFT WITH HER TREASURER HER
TREASURES AND WENT HOME. WHEN THE STEPMOTHER SAW THIS SHE INSISTED
THAT HER DAUGHTER GO TO THE HUT. THE NEXT EVENING THE STEPSISTER WAS
LYING ON THE STOVE WHEN THE BEAR WALKED IN. IMMEDIATELY THE BEAR ASKED
WHAT SHE WAS DOING HERE. THE LAZY GIRL GAVE HIM A RUDE AND WISE-CRACK ANSWER.
THE BEAR THEN ASKED HER TO MAKE HIS SUPPER. SHE TOLD HIM TO DO IT HIMSELF.
THEN HE SCRATCHED HIS LEFT EAR AND ALL SORTS OF SNAKES AND VIPERS FLOWED OUT.
THEN HE SCRATCHED HIS RIGHT EAR AND ALL SORTS OF LEOPARDS AND WILDCATS JUMPED OUT.
THE BEAR TOLD THEM TO ATTACK AND THEY DEVOURED HER AND ALL THAT WAS LEFT WAS HER BONES.
THE NEXT MORNING THE STEPMOTHER WAS IMPATIENT AND WENT TO THE COTTAGE. THERE SHE SAW
THE DAUGHTER'S BONES AND WAS IMMEDIATELY DEVOURED BY THE BEAR. AND SO IT IS ENDED.

Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER HEARD THIS TALE FROM HER MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS A SMALL CHILD.
INFORMANT HEARD THIS TALE FROM HER MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS A SMALL CHILD

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: 04-03-1968

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THE UNPUNISHED BOY

ONCE THERE WAS A BAD BOY WHOSE MOTHER REFUSED TO PUNISH HIM. NO MATTER HOW
EVIL HE WOULD BE, HIS MOTHER COULD NOT BRING HERSELF TO HURT HER SON. THE BOY
MET WITH A SUDDEN AND VERY YOUNG DEATH. A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THE BURIAL, IT
WAS FOUND THAT A COLD ARM HAD FORCED ITS WAY THROUGH THE GROUND AT THE GRAVE SITE.
AFTER ATTEMPTS AT REBURYING THE LIMB HAD FAILED TO WORK, THE PASTOR OF THE CHURCH
TALKED TO THE WOMAN ABOUT HER SON. HE THEN THEORIZED AFTER HIS TALK THAT THE MOTHER
WOULD HAVE TO STRIKE HER CHILD'S HAND BEFORE HE COULD SEEK REST. IN TEARS THE WOMAN
WAS BROUGHT TO THE GRAVESIDE WHERE SHE FINALLY STRUCK HIS HAND. AT THAT MOMENT THE
ARM WENT BACK INTO THE EARTH.

Submitter comment: SLAPPING CAUSES HAND OF BURIED SINNER TO RETURN UNDERGROUND IN GRAVE

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: WHILE COLLECTOR WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL

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THE COWARDLY COUNT

ONE TIME THERE WERE TWO COUNTRIES CARRYING ON A BLOODY WAR.
INTELLIGENCE REPORTS FROM THE SECRET SERVICE TOLD THE
GENERALS OF THE ONE COUNTRY THAT THEIR ENEMIES HAD A
SECRET WEAPON THAT THEY WERE PLANNING TO USE. IN ORDER TO
FIND OUT THIS SECRET WEAPON, THEYCAPTURED ONE OF THE ENEMIES'
HIGH RANKING COUNTS WHO HAD INFORMATION ON THIS WEAPON.
INTERROGATING HIM FOR HOURS, THEY COULD GET NO INFORMATION.
FINALLY, THEY THREATENED THE COUNT BY PUTTING HIM ON THE
CHOPPING BLOCK. THE EXECUTIONER HAD HIS AX READY TO BEHEAD
THE COUNT WHEN THE CHIEF INTERROGATOR GAVE THE LAST CHANCE
TO TELL THEM THE VALUABLE INFORMATION. AS THE COUNT REFUSED
AGAIN, THE SIGNAL WAS GIVEN FOR THE EXECUTIONER TO CUT OFF
THE COUNT'S HEAD. AS THE AX WAS COMING DOWN, THE COUNT
CHANGED HIS MIND AND CALLED OUT, "WAIT, WAIT. I'LL TELL YOU
EVERYTHING!" BUT BEFORE THE ORDER COULD BE REVERSED, SWISH,
THE HEAD WENT ROLLING OFF THE CHOPPING BLOCK. THE MORAL
OF THE STORY: DON'T HATCHET YOUR COUNTS BEFORE THEY CHICKEN.

Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BUT DON'T REMEMBER FROM WHOM.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): COWARD

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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STRAWBERRY

BACK IN THE DAYS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, WHEN A BOY WAS
APPROACHING MANHOOD, HE'D HAVE TO GO OUT INTO THE WORLD
AND DO A MANLY DEED. THE DEEDS INCLUDED THINGS LIKE
KILLING A LION OR SLAYING A GIANT, BUT EACH YOUNG MAN
WOULD HAVE TO PERFORM SOMETHING UNIQUE. THIS IS THE
STORY OF ONE SUCH LAD.
WHEN HIS TIME CAME, HE WENT OUT INTO THE WOODS TO DO HIS
MANLY DEED. CONFUSED, HE SEARCHED FOR WEEKS UNTIL ONE DAY
HE FOUND IT--A STRAWBERRY. BUT THIS WAS NO ORDINARY
STRAWBERRY. THIS ONE WAS TEN FEET HIGH AND MEASURED
FOURTEEN FEET IN CIRCUMFERENCE. HE SAID TO HIMSELF,
"SURELY, THIS MUST BE IT."
SPENDING TWO MORE WEEKS IN THE WOODS, OUR HERO BUILT A
CART FOR HIS STRAWBERRY. WHEN HE ARRIVED BACK IN ROME
WITH IT, THE PEOPLE CAME RUNNING OUT INTO THE STREETS TO
SEE IT. IN FACT, THEY WERE SO AWED BY THE GIANT STRAW-
BERRY, THAT THEY CONSTRUCTED A TEMPLE AROUND IT AND
MADE THE YOUNG MAN THE "KEEPER OF THE BERRY."
AS THE WORLD BEGAN TO HEAR ABOUT THIS STRAWBERRY, PEOPLE
WOULD MAKE PILGRIMAGES TO ROME IN ORDER TO SEE THIS
MAGNIFICENT SIGHT. WELL, ONE NIGHT THERE WAS A KNOCK
ON THE DOOR. THE YOUNG MAN SAID, "WE'RE CLOSED, COME
BACK TOMORROW." BUT THE KNOCK PERSISTED. FINALLY,
OUT OF ANNOYANCE, HE OPENED THE DOOR AND SAW THREE SHADY
LOOKING CHARACTERS DRESSED IN BLACK TOGAS AND CARRYING
VIOLIN CASES. ONE OF THEM SAID, "WE WANT TO SEE THE
STRAWBERRY." THE YOUNG MAN TOLD THEM THAT HE WAS SORRY
BUT THEY COULDN'T SEE THE STRAWBERRY UNTIL THE NEXT DAY.
WITH THAT THE LEADER OF THE GROUP, GRABBED OUR HERO AND
SAID, "LOOK KID, WE HAVE COME TO SEIZE YOUR BERRY, NOT
TO PRAISE IT!"

Submitter comment: I DON'T KNOW THE NAME OF THE INFORMANT. HE WAS ENTERTAINING
A GROUP AT A PARTY WHEN I HEARD THIS.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Keyword(s): SHAKESPEARE: WE'VE COME TO BURY CEASER, NOT TO PRAISE HIM.

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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BOO-RAY

AT MY PARTY, ALL THE GIRLS WILL WEAR SUITS OF ARMOR.
BOO!
AND THE GUYS WILL HAVE CAN OPENERS.
YAY! {RAY!}

Submitter comment: THIS WAS COLLECTED AT A FRATERNITY PARTY.
SEE ROGER D. ABRAHMS, THE HOUSE BURNED DOWN AGAIN,
JOURNAL OF AMERICAN FOLKLORE, LXXVI (1963), 337-39, FOR
PARALLELS.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

ONCE THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHO HAD A HORSE. ONE DAY
HIS HORSE DISAPPEARED, AND HIS FRIENDS ALL CAME
TO CONSOLE HIM FOR HIS LOSS. BUT THE OLD MAN SAID:
"HOW CAN YOU TELL IT WAS NOT A LUCKY OMEN?" AFTER
SEVERAL MONTHS THE LOST HORSE RETURNED, BRINGING WITH
HIM ANOTHER HORSE. THE OLD MAN'S FRIENDS, WHO HEARD
OF HIS HAPPY NEWS, CAME TO OFFER THEIR CONGRATULATIONS
AND THE OLD MAN REMARKED: "HOW CAN YOU TELL THAT IT
WAS NOT A BAD OMEN?"
BY AND BY, HIS SON FORMED THE HABIT OF RIDING ON THE
HORSE AS A HOBBY, AND ONE DAY HE FELL OFF AND BROKE
HIS LEG. THE FRIENDS CALLED AGAIN AND EXPRESSED THEIR
SORROW. THE OLD MAN SAID: "HOW CAN YOU TELL THAT IT
WAS NOT A GOOD OMEN?"
A YEAR LATER AN ORDER WAS GIVEN THAT ALL THE YOUNG MEN
BE MADE TO JOIN THE ARMY AND FIGHT THE TARTERS. THE
CRIPPLED SON, OWING TO HIS LAMENESS, WAS, OF COURSE,
SPARED.
SO THE OLD MAN SAID TO HIS FRIENDS: "HUMAN AFFAIRS
ARE ALWAYS CHANGEABLE. HOW CAN YOU TELL WHETHER
WHAT TODAY IS A MISERY MAY NOT TURN OUT TO BE A
BLESSING TOMORROW?"

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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ONE A SNAKE

ONE A SNAKE, TWO A SNAKE, THREE A SNAKE, FOUR A SNAKE,
FIVE A SNAKE, SIX A SNAKE, SEVEN A SNAKE, EIGHT A SNAKE,
NINE A SNAKE, TEN A SNAKE.
THIS WAS A GAME I PLAYED IN MY CHILDHOOD. IT CONSISTS
OF A PLAY ON THE WORDS THE KEY IS "EIGHT A SNAKE" MEANING
ATE A SNAKE. IT USUALLY WAS JUST A GAME TO MAKE YOU
LAUGH. I DO NOT REMEMBER WHERE I LEARNED IT.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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I KNEW A MAN

K KNEW A MAN.
WHAT MAN?
THE MAN WITH THE POWER.
WHAT POWER?
THE POWER OF VOODOO.
VOODOO?
I DO.
DO WHAT?
KNOW A MAN.
WHAT MAN?
ETC.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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PREDICTING DEATH

I HAD A FRATERNITY BROTHER WHO DIED A FEW YEARS AGO
FROM CANCER. THE NIGHT BEFORE HE DIED, HE WAS TOLD
THAT A PRIEST WOULD BRING HIM COMMUNION AT 6:30 THE
NEXT MORNING. HE REPLIED THAT 6:30 A.M. WOULD BE
TOO LATE, BECAUSE THE BLESSED VIRGIN TOLD HIM HE WOULD
DIE AT 5:30 A.M. THE NEXT MORNING, HE DIED AT 5:30 A.M.

Submitter comment: THE ABOVE IS HEARSAY. I DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW MUCH
TRUTH IS CONTAINED IN IT.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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THE STONE

JESUS CHRIST WAS WALKING AND HE CAME UPON A CROWD
OF WOMEN STONING AN ADULTRESS. HE ORDERED THEM TO
STOP; AND SAID, "ALL THOSE WHO ARE VIRGINS, CAST
THE NEXT STONE!"
SUDDENLY A LARGE ROCK FLEW OUT FROM THE CROWD, HIT
THE SINNER, AND KILLED HER. JESUS TURNED TO THE
WOMAN WHO THREW IT, AND SAID; "MOM, WHY DO YOU
ALWAYS RUIN EVERYTHING."

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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AT THE AGE OF 3, JAMES, DOYLE'S FATHER DIED.
AS A CONSEQUENCE, HIS MOTHER HAD TO WORK. LEAVING
HER SON AT HOME IN A CRIB, SHE WOULD HAVE A
NEIGHBOR FREQUENTLY CHECK IN ON HIM. ONE DAY AS
HE WAS IN HIS CRIB, THE SMILING FACE OF HIS FATHER
APPEARED TO HIM IN THE CORNER OF HIS ROOM. SEEING
HIS FATHER, HE WHISPERED, "DADDY." THE FACE SHOOK
ITS HEAD YES AND THEN DISAPPEARED.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: 03-06-1968

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A WOMAN'S HUSBAND PASSED AWAY, BUT AT THE TIME OF HIS
DEATH (4 P.M.) HE TOLD HIS WIFE THAT HE WOULD ALWAYS
BE WITH HER. THE DAY AFTER HE DIED AT APPROXIMATELY
4 P.M. A LITTLE YELLOW BIRD APPEARED ON THE WINDOW
LEDGE IN HER ROOM AND TAPPED HIS BEAK AGAINST IT,
THEN WOULD FLY AWAY. THIS WENT ON FOR 36 DAYS UNTIL
THE WIFE HAD BEEN STRUCK AND KILLED BY A CAR.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: 03-12-1968

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