Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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ON THE EVE OF ST. JOHN'S
IN COMMEMORATION OF WANDA, A POLISH PRINCESS WHO THREW
HERSELF INTO THE VISTULA (RIVER) RATHER THAN MARRY A
GERMAN COUNT, THE PEOPLE IN POLAND PLACE WREATHES OF
FLOWERS ON THE WATERS, WITH LIT CANDLES IN THEM.
ALSO ON RAFTS ON THE WATER, THE SCENE OF WANDA IS
ACTED OUT ON THE EVENING OF JUNE 23.
Submitter comment: MY FATHER REMEMBERS THIS FROM HIS YOUTH IN POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23 |
Date learned: 10-28-1967
ON THE EVE OF ST. JOHN'S (6/23)
ON THE EVE OF ST. JOHN'S, IT IS BELIEVED IN POLAND
THAT A CERTAIN FERN BLOOMS THIS EVENING AND ANYONE
WHO FINDS THE BLOSSOM WOULD BE CLAIRVOYANT AND ETERNALLY
HAPPY. IT IS MOST LIKELY A YOUNG PERSON WITH "HONEST
HANDS" WILL FIND IT.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERS THIS PRACTICE FROM HER CHILD-
HOOD DAYS IN POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23 |
Date learned: 10-28-1967
CARNIVAL--AFTER CHRISTMAS
THE PERIOD OF TIME FROM CHRISTMAS TO ASH WEDNESDAY IS
KNOWN IN POLAND AS "KARNAWAT," OR CARNIVAL. IT IS
A TIME OF DANCES, BALLS AND FESTIVE OCCASIONS. FOR
THE WOMAN OF THE HOUSE, IT IS THE TIME TO MAKE SUCH
PASTRIES AS "PONCZKI," POLISH JELLY DONUTS, AND
"CHRUSCIKI," POLISH ANGEL WINGS. THIS CUSTOM IS
KNOWN FROM PRACTICE TILL THIS DAY IN MY FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dance CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Winter Food Drink -- Food |
Date learned: 10-28-1967
EGGS THAT HAVE BEEN BLESSED AND DYED FOR EASTER ARE
BROKEN AMONG FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND GOOD WISHES
ARE EXCHANGED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 04-25-1971
A POLISH VERSE
GUESS, GUESS, GUESS,
IN WHICH HAND IS THE GOLDEN BALL?
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER REMEMBERS THIS FROM HER CHILDHOOD, IN
POLAND. I KNOW IT FROM MY OWN. IT'S USED
WHEN ONE IS HIDING SOMETHING IN ONE HAND AND
ANOTHER HAS TO GUESS IN WHICH HAND IT IS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Guessing Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.538 |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
LEGEND OF JESUS
A LONG TIME AGO WHEN JESUS WAS WALKING IN THIS WORLD, HE DECIDED TO TAKE ST.
PETER TO DISTANT COUNTRIES. THEY WERE WALKING AND IT BECAME NIGHT. STOPPING AT ONE
PLACE, THEY ASKED IF THEY COULD SLEEP OVER NIGHT THERE. A DOUBLE BED WAS IN THE
ROOM NEAR THE WALL. JESUS SLEPT BY THE WALL AND PETER BY THE EDGE. THE VERY SAME
NIGHT, TWO BUMS CAME TO THE HOUSE. THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR THEM TO SLEEP AND WITH
DISGUST THEY DECIDED TO SLEEP ON THE FLOOR. THEY LOADED THEIR ANGER ON ST. PETER
BY BEATING HIM UP. HE COULD HARDLY BREATHE. THE SECOND NIGHT ST. PETER SAID TO
JESUS: "YOU SLEEP ON THE EDGE AND I WILL SLEEP BY THE WALL." THE SAME TWO BUMS
CAME IN AND WANTED TO BEAT JESUS UP THE SAME WAY. ONE OF THE BUMS SAID: "LEAVE
THIS ONE AT THE EDGE, HE GOT IT YESTERDAY," AND AGAIN THEY STARTED TO FIGHT WITH
ST. PETER. POOR ST. PETER WAS BEATEN TWICE.
Submitter comment:
POLISH, HANDWRITTEN TEXT IS ATTACHED TO TYPEWRITTEN
ENGLISH TEXT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; POLAND ; LEZAJSK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
THE MEAN KNIGHT WHO WAS TRANSFORMED INTO A BEAR
THERE WAS A WHITE CASTLE ON A HIGH HILL IN WHICH A KNIGHT AND HIS MOTHER LIVED.
HE WAS VERY DISTINGUISHED BUT HAD A MEAN HEART. HE WAS ALWAYS WALKING SAD AND THINKING.
ONE TIME HE DEMANDED FROM HIS MOTHER THAT SHE PLANT BLUE ROSES AROUND THE CASTLE.
SPRING CAME AND WHITE ROSES STARTED TO BLOOM AROUND THE CASTLE. THEY WERE VERY PRETTY
SO THE MOTHER CALLED HER SON TO SEE THEM. WHEN THE SON CAME, HE BECAME VERY UPSET ABOUT
THE COLOR AND TOOK OUT HIS SWORD AND STARTED TO CUT DOWN ALL THE ROSES. THE POOR MOTHER
TRIED TO SAVE THEM WITH HER HAND AND TEARS CAME TO HER EYES. ONE OF THEM DROPPED ON A FLOWER
AND THE FLOWER TURNED BLUE. WIPING HER TEARS THE MOTHER SAID TO HER SON, "HERE YOU HAVE A BLUE ROSE."
ALL OF A SUDDEN AN AWFUL STORM CAME AND THE TIRED KNIGHT FELL ON THE GROUND UNCONSCIOUS. WHEN HE REGAINED
CONSCIOUSNESS, THERE WAS NO CASTLE AND HE HAD TURNED INTO A BEAR. FROM THAT TIME HE MADE HIS HOME
IN THE FOREST SO HUMAN EYES COULDN'T SEE HIM. HE BUILT HIMSELF A LOG CABIN AROUND WHICH HE PLANTED
BLUE ROSES. ONE TIME A STRONG WIND CAME AND BLEW A PETAL TO A POOR FARMER BY THE FOREST WHO HAD TWO
DAUGHTERS, HELEN AND MARY. THEY WERE QUITE ATTRACTIVE. THE YOUNGER, GIRL, HELEN, PICKED UP THE FLOWER
PETAL AND WAS SURPRISED ABOUT ITS BEAUTY SO SHE HID IT FOR HERSELF. THE PETALS NEVER WILTED AND
ALWAYS SMELLED NICE. SHE WAS YEARNING ABOUT THE BLUE ROSES UNTIL SHE BECAME ALMOST ILL AND SHE WAS
PRESSURING HER FATHER TO FIND HER SOME. HER DAD WENT LOOKING FOR THEM AND AFTER A LONG JOURNEY HE
FOUND THE BEAR'S HOUSE SURROUNDED WITH THE BLUE ROSES. HE STARTED TO PICK THEM UP AND AT THAT MOMENT
THE BEAR CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE. HE BECAME FRIGHTENED BUT REMEMBERING THE SICKNESS OF HIS DAUGHTER,
HE STARTED TO BEG THE BEAR FOR THE BLUE ROSES. THE BEAR ANSWERED HIM IN A HUMAN VOICE. "I WILL GIVE
YOU THE ROSES BUT WHEN YOU TAKE THEM HOME AND WHEN YOUR DAUGHTER GETS WELL SHE HAS TO COME TO ME FOR
THIRTY THIRTY DAYS." SEEING THE BLUE ROSES, HELEN REGAINED HER HEALTH AND WITH A LITTLE HORROR,
DECIDED TO GO TO THE BEAR'S HOUSE. SHE STAYED THERE FOR THIRTY DAYS AND HELPED THE BEAR TAKE CARE
OF THE ROSES. AFTER THE THIRTY DAYS SHE CAME BACK HOME AND SHE NOTICED THAT HER BLUE ROSES STARTED
TO WILT. SHE WENT BACK TO THE BEAR'S HOUSE AND SHE FOUND THAT THE BEAR WAS VERY ILL. SHE WAS SORRY
FOR HIM AND HER EYES STARTED TO FILL WITH TEARS. ONE OF THEM DROPPED ON A BLUE ROSE AND THE ROSE
BECAME WHITE. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BEAR'S HOUSE DISAPPEARED AND IN ITS PLACE WAS THE WHITE CASTLE
AROUND WHICH WERE WHITE ROSES. ON THE PORCH THERE WAS A HANDSOME KNIGHT AND HIS MOTHER. WITH A SMILE
ON HIS LIPS, THE KNIGHT CAME TO HELEN AND TOLD HER, "YOUR GOOD HEART AND TRUTHFUL TEARS GAVE ME BACK
MY STATURE." HE ASKED HER FOR HER HAND IN MARRIAGE AND THERE WAS A BIG WEDDING AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.
Submitter comment: POLISH, HANDWRITTEN TEXT IS ATTACHED TO TYPEWRITTEN ENGLISH TEXT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK ; POLAND ; LEZAJSK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
THE HIDDEN TREASURES IN JANOWIEC, POLAND
BENEATH THE RUINS OF THE CASTLE IN JANOWIEC,
POLAND, IT IS BELIEVED THERE ARE BURIED TREASURES.
WHEN THE CASTLE WAS INHABITED BY NOBILITY, THESE
TREASURES WERE BURIED WHENEVER ENEMIES ATTACKED THE
CASTLE. WHEN NOBLES WERE KILLED OR TAKEN AWAY BY
THE ENEMIES, THE TREASURES WERE LEFT BEHIND.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDFATHER REMEMBERS THIS FROM HIS CHILDHOOD
DAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.13 |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
YOU KNOW HOW IT IS IN THE OLDEN DAYS; IT WAS CUSTOMARY
TO SIT WITH A DEAD PERSON. WELL, THERE WERE THESE
SIX GUYS KEEPING WATCH. THIS HAPPENED IN POLAND
MANY YEARS AGO. AS THEY WERE SITTING THERE, THEY
KEPT DRINKING. ONE OF THE GROUP HAD TO GO TO THE
OUT-HOUSE. WHILE HE WAS GONE THE OTHER GUYS DECIDED TO
PLAY A JOKE ON HIM. SO THEY SAID, "LET'S TAKE THE
CORPSE OUT OF THE COFFIN AND ONE OF US WILL LAY IN
THE COFFIN." THEY ALL AGREED. SO THEY TOOK OUT THE
CORPSE AND PUT IT BEHIND THE DOOR. ONE OF THE GUYS
CLIMBED IN THE COFFIN AND PRETENDED LIKE HE WAS DEAD.
WHEN THE GUY WHO WENT TO THE OUT-HOUSE CAME BACK IN,
THE GUY IN THE COFFIN STARTED GETTING UP VERY SLOWLY.
THE POOR GUY GOT SO SCARED HE DROPPED DEAD.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS COLLECTED 4/9/67 FROM MR. SWEROCK, WHO WAS
RECALLING STORIES TOLD HIM BY HIS FATHER, A NATIVE
OF POLAND.
Where learned: POLAND ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 04-09-1967
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY IN POLAND, IN ORDER TO DECIDE WHO WOULD
GET MARRIED FIRST, GIRLS WOULD BAKE PANCAKES AND LINE
THEM UP ON THE FLOOR. THEY WOULD THEN RELEASE A CAT.
THE GIRL WHO GETS HER PANCAKE EATEN FIRST BY THE CAT
WILL GET MARRIED FIRST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLAND
Date learned: 04-05-1972
IN POLAND, WHEN A PIG IS SLAUGHTERED, THE GALLBLADDER
IS CUT OUT AND LARD IS STUFFED INSIDE WITH THE BILE,
THE GALLBLADDER STUFFED WITH LARD IS LEFT TO
FERMENT FOR SEVERAL DAYS, AFTER WHICH A SALVE IS
FORMED, WHICH IS GOOD FOR HEALING VARIOUS SKIN
DISORDERS, LIKE, INFECTIONS, CUTS, RASHES, ETC.
AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE PRODUCTION OF THE SALVE
WAS ONE OF THE THINGS DONE WITH VARIOUS ORGANS
OF THE PIG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 10-21-1970
FRIED ONIONS PLACED ON A BOIL WILL TAKE OUT THE POISON
CAUSING THE BOIL AND HEAL THE WOUND WITHIN A FEW
DAYS.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A COMMON METHOD OF GETTING RID OF BOILS ON
PEOPLE AS WELL AS OTHER ANIMALS, LIKE HORSES, COWS,
ETC. THIS METHOD WAS USED IN POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-03-1970
IN POLAND, THE WAY A GIRL FIGURES OUT IF A GUY LIKES
HER IS THAT SHE WILL PICK THE PETALS OFF OF A
FLOWER, SAYING: "LOVES ME, LIKES ME, RESPECTS ME,
DOESN'T WANT ME, DOESN'T CARE, IS ONLY KIDDING."
SHE CONTINUES THIS WAY UNTIL SHE GETS TO THE LAST
PETAL WHICH GIVES HER THE ANSWER.
Submitter comment: I KNOW THIS FROM MY MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of object for determining true love P861.2 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
POLISH CUSTOM
WHEN A GYPSY PEDDLER CAME TO A POLISH HOUSEHOLD, THE LADY OF THE
HOUSE WOULD TUCK A CORNER OF HER APRON INTO THE WAISTBAND ABOVE THE
DIAGONALLY OPPOSITE CORNER SO THAT THE GYPSY WOULD NOT CHEAT HER
ON ANY SALES.
MY GRANDMOTHER LEARNED THIS WHILE SHE WAS GIRL IN WARSAW IN
THE EARLY 1900'S.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; WARSAW ; COLLECTED IN DETROIT
Keyword(s): GYPSY POLISH SALES
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Angular forms |
Date learned: 10-05-1967
IF A HEN CROWS THERE WILL BE BAD LUCK IN A HOUSEHOLD,
AND THE MEMBERS OF THAT HOUSEHOLD MAY EXPECT EITHER
DEAD LIVESTOCK OR A DEATH IN THE FAMILY.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDMOTHER LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS A GIRL
IN WARSAW IN THE EARLY 1900S.
Data entry tech comment: I BELIEVE SHE MEANS IF A HEN CROWS BEFORE DAWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLAND ; WARSAW
James Callow Keyword(s): FOWL
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals |
Date learned: 00001900s ; 10-05-1967
THE LEGEND OF WANDA
WANDA WAS THE DAUGHTER OF KRAKUS, A LEGENDARY HERO
AND POLISH RULER IN PAGAN TIMES. A YOUNG GERMAN PRINCE,
NAMED RYDYGIER, WANTED TO MARRY WANDA WHEN SHE WAS
REIGNING. SHE DID NOT WANT TO MARRY HIM, AS HE WAS
A GERMAN. IN ORDER TO FORCE THIS MARRIAGE, RYDYGIER
BROUGHT HIS WHOLE ARMY TO THE CITY OF CRACOW, WHERE
WANDA RULED. WANDA'S ARMY CONQUERED HIS AND SO THAT
HER PEOPLE WOULD NOT HAVE TO SUFFER FOR HER CAUSE, SHE
THREW HERSELF INTO THE VISTULA RIVER. IT IS ALSO SAID
THAT WANDA HAD VOWED HER DEATH TO THE GODS IF HER ARMY
CONQUERED RYDYGIER'S. IN HER HONOR A MOUND WAS BUILT,
BY HAND, BY HER PEOPLE, WHICH EXISTS TODAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE WANDERING JEW IN JANOWIEC, POLAND
IT IS BELIEVED IN JANOWIEC, POLAND, A SMALL VILLAGE,
THAT THERE IS A WANDERING JEW WHOM NOONE REALLY
REALLY KNOWS BUT ONLY SEES FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE
AREA. THIS "WANDERING JEW" IS MOST LIKELY SEEN
BRINGING ON A STORM; THAT IS, AS HE CROSSES THE
VALLEY OF JANOWIEC A STORM FOLLOWS BEHIND HIM.
THE INHABITANTS OF JANOWIEC BELIEVE THIS,
PARTICULARLY THE OLD ONES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
VALVE USE APPLICATION
IN 1932 THERE WAS A TEERIBLE STORM IN POLAND. ABOUT
30 PEOPLE RAN IN A BARN TO TAKE COVER. AFTER A
COUPLE MINUTES, LIGHTENING STRUCK THE BARN AND TWO
PEOPLE WERE DEAD, AND THE REST WERE UNCONSCIOUS
EXCEPT FOR ONE MAN. THE ONE MAN PROCEEDED TO CARRY
THE PEOPLE OUT, ONE BY ONE, AND PLACE THEM IN A
NARROW DITCH AND COVERED THEM WITH A SHOVEL OF DIRT.
SEVERAL MINUTES LATER, THE PEOPLE WERE REVIVED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WITNESSED THIS ENTIRE PROCEDURE FROM A
DISTANCE, WHEN HE WAS A BOY (10 OR 12 YEARS OLD). HE WAS
TOO FAR AWAY TO BE OF HELP, ALSO. IT WAS TERRIBLY
MUDDY AND HE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REACH THE
PEOPLE IN TIME. INFORMANT NOW THINKS THAT WHENEVER
YOU'RE IN A FIELD AND LIGHTENING STARTS THAT YOU
SHOULD COVER YOURSELF WITH DIRT AS A RESULT FROM
HIS EXPERIENCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 11-22-1971 ; 00-00-1932
THE COURAGEOUS MAN
IN THE EARLY DAYS, POLAND HAD MANY DEEP FORESTS. THERE
WAS A VERY COURAGEOUS RANCHER WHO WAS TELLING EVERYONE
THAT HE WAS NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHING. ONE DAY, HE
DECIDED TO TAKE A TRIP TO THE NEAREST TOWN, WHICH WAS
MANY MILES AWAY.
HE TOOK ONE OF HIS CARRIAGE DRIVERS AND WENT ON HIS WAY.
THEY WERE DRIVING THROUGH THE FOREST AND SAW A MAN
HANGING ON A TREE. HE STOPPED HIS CARRIAGE AND TOLD
HIS DRIVER TO CUT THE ROPE OFF AND PUT THE MAN IN THE
BACK OF THE CARRIAGE.
EVENING CAME AND THEY NOTICED, FAR AHEAD IN THE FOREST,
THAT THERE WAS A LITTLE COTTAGE. THEY COULD SEE A
LIGHT SHINING THROUGH ITS WINDOW. THE COURAGEOUS MAN
DECIDED TO STOP THERE OVERNIGHT.
WHEN THEY CAME TO THE COTTAGE AND KNOCKED AT THE DOOR
THERE WAS NO ANSWER. HE OPENED THE DOOR AND THERE WAS
A DEAD MAN LAYING ON A BENCH WITH TWO LIGHTED CANDLES
ON EACH SIDE OF HIM.
HE TOOK THE MAN WHO WAS HUNG AND PLACED HIM IN THE
CORNER OF THE COTTAGE. HIS DRIVER WAS SLEEPING IN THE
CARRIAGE. THE COURAGEOUS MAN SLEPT IN THE COTTAGE
WITH THE TWO DEAD MEN. AROUND TEN O'CLOCK, FROM
NOWHERE TWO MEN CAME TO THE COTTAGE. THEY WERE THE
DEVILS. THE COURAGEOUS MAN WAS SLEEPING BEHIND THE
HEATING STOVE IN THE COTTAGE. THEY SEEMED TO NOT
NOTICE HIM THERE. ONE OF THE MEN TOLD THE OTHER THAT
HE WAS GOING TO SKIN THE DEAD MAN AND HE STARTED TO DO
SO. THE COURAGEOUS MAN WAS HALF ASLEEP AND LOOKING
FROM BEHIND THE STOVE. AFTER THE DEAD MAN GOT SKINNED,
ONE OF THE MEN STARTED TO TALK TO THE OTHER, NOT PAYING
ANY ATTENTION TO THE DEAD MAN'S SKIN. THE COURAGEOUS
MAN SNEAKED OUT FROM BEHIND THE STOVE, PULLED THE DEAD
MAN'S SKIN FOR {OVER?} HIMSELF. WHEN THE MEN NOTICED
THAT THERE WAS NO SKIN THEY STARTED TO FIGHT WITH EACH
OTHER. ONE OF THE MEN LOOKED AT THE HUNG MAN IN THE
CORNER AND SMASHED HIM IN THE FACE, SAYING THAT HE
HAD TAKEN THE SKIN. THE HUNG MAN ALL OF A SUDDEN
BECAME ALIVE AND JOINED THE FIGHT. THE DEAD MAN SAT
UP ON THE BENCH AND STARTED TO SCREAM, "WHERE IS MY
SKIN?" THE FIGHT WAS GETTING WORSE AND THE COURAGEOUS
MAN WAS WATCHING FROM BEHIND THE STOVE.
IT WAS CLOSE TO FIVE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING AND THE
ROOSTER STARTED TO CROW. ALL OF A SUDDEN, ALL THE
SCENERY DISAPPEARED. ALL THE FOUR MEN WERE DEVILS.
THEY DID NOT SCARE THE COURAGEOUS MAN. THE COURAGEOUS
MAN WALKED OUT OF THE COTTAGE, WOKE UP HIS DRIVER AND
THEY CONTINUED ON THEIR WAY TO TOWN. NO ONE COULD
SCARE THEM.
Where learned: POLAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1935
THE MOON REVEALS THE TRUTH
AFTER THE FIRST WORLD WAR, THERE WERE MANY HARDSHIPS
IN THE COUNTRY OF POLAND.
THERE WAS A WIDOW WHO OWNED A FEW ACRES OF LAND, A
HORSE, MILK COW, SOME CHICKENS AND A FEW GEESE. HER
TAX BILL CAME IN EARLY SPRING. SHE DIDN'T HAVE THE
MONEY TO PAY, SO SHE DECIDED TO SELL HER COW AT THE
MARKET.
SHE RECEIVED A GOOD PRICE FOR THE COW, BUT SHE HAD TO
WALK A COUPLE OF MILES THROUGH BUSH COUNTRY.
AFTER SHE CROSSED A LITTLE RIVER, SHE WAS APPROACHED
BY A YOUNG MAN THAT SHE KNEW WHO WANTED ALL HER MONEY.
SHE GAVE HIM THE MONEY AND HE TOLD HER THAT BECAUSE
SHE KNEW HIM, HE WOULD HAVE TO KILL HER. THE WOMAN
SAID THAT SHE WOULD NOT TELL ANYONE WHO ROBBED HER. BE-
FORE SHE DIED, THE WOMAN TOLD THE MAN THAT THE MOON
WOULD TELL EVERYONE ABOUT IT. THE MAN DIDN'T PAY
ANY ATTENTION AND KILLED HER.
THE NEXT MORNING, HER BODY WAS FOUND BY THE RIVER BED.
THE POLICE COULDN'T TRACE THE KILLER EVEN THOUGH
THEY HAD TRIED VERY HARD.
YEARS WENT BY AND THE YOUNG MAN GOT MARRIED. ONE NIGHT
HE WAS RESTING ON A COUCH AND THE MOON WAS SHINING.
HE STARTED TO LAUGH. HIS WIFE BECAME VERY CURIOUS
AND SHE TRIED TO COAX HER HUSBAND TO TELL HER AOBUT IT.
HE ANSWERED HER BY SAYING THAT HE COULDN'T TELL HER.
THE WIFE INSISTED THAT HE TELL HER AND HE FINALLY TOLD
HER THE STORY ABOUT THE WOMAN HE KILLED, WHO HAD MADE
THE REMARK THAT THE MOON WOULD TELL.
THE NEXT MORNING, HIS WIFE REPORTED TO THE POLICE
WHAT HER HUSBAND HAD TOLD HER. UPON INVESTIGATION,
THE POLICE CONFIRMED THAT HE WAS THE KILLER. THE
MOON REVEALED THE TRUTH LIKE THE WOMAN HAD PREDICTED.
Where learned: POLAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1935