The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE

NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO REST,
TOMORROW I TAKE MY FINAL TEST.
IF I DIE BEFORE I WAKE,
THAT'S ONE LESS TEST I'LL HAVE TO TAKE.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1969

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AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE

COLUMBUS DISCOVERED AMERICA
IN 1492.
AND I DISCOVERED A GREAT FRIEND,
WHEN I DISCOVERED YOU.

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): RHYME: ABCB

James Callow Keyword(s): MEDIAL ITERATION

Date learned: 00-00-1969

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AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE

DON!T GO TO LONDON,
DON!T GO TO FRANCE,
STAY IN MICHIGAN,
AND GIVE THE BOYS A CHANCE.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; POPULARITY

Date learned: 00-00-1969

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ADVENT SEASON TRADITIONS

DURING EACH MASS ON EVERY SUNDAY OF ADVENT, ONE FAMILY FROM THE
CHURCH COMMUNITY OF ST. CHRISTOPHER, LIGHTS THE ADVENT WREATH
TO SYMBOLIZE THAT WE SHOULD UNITE AS A CHURCH FAMILY IN
ANTICIPATION FOR CHRIST'S COMING.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL

Date learned: 00-00-1974

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ADVENT SEASON TRADITION

IN ST. CHRISTOPHER CHURCH, THE CHRISTIAN SERVICE COMMISSION OF THE
PARISH PUTS UP A CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE CHURCH, DECORATED WITH TAGS
WITH THE SIZE, AGE AND SEX OF THE SHUT-IN PEOPLE IN THE PARISH,
WRITTEN ON THEM. THE PARISHIONERS CHOOSE ONE OF THE TAGS AND
PURCHASE A GIFT FOR THAT PERSON. THE PARISHIONER THEN
RETURNS THE GIFT AND TAG TO THE COMMISSION FOR DISTRIBUTION
BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1975

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WOUNDS

THE PERSON WHO GAVE ME THIS CURE LIVES IN DETROIT AND WAS IN EUROPE
DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR. URINATING ON OPEN WOUNDS OR SORES HELPS
TO SPEED UP THE HEALING PROCESS. THIS PERSON WAS IN A GERMAN LABOR
CAMP AND SAID THIS IS WHAT HE WAS TOLD TO DO
BY THE MEDICS WHEN HE WAS COLLECTING THE WOUNDED.

Where learned: GERMANY ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): SORES

Date learned: 10-08-1969

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MR. SPRINGY

MY GRANDFATHER TOLD THE STORY OF A CERTAIN MR. SPRINGY WHO CAME TO
HIS FEEDER EACH MORNING TO RECEIVE HIS DAILY RATION OF SEED. YOU SEE
MR. SPRINGY WAS A ROBIN AND MY GRANDFATHER BELIEVED THAT ROBINS
WERE A SYMBOL OF GOOD LUCK. IF A ROBIN CAME TO YOUR FEEDER IN THE
MORNING AND SANG LOUDLY, IT MEANT THAT YOU WOULD HAVE GOOD LUCK AND
THAT THE DAY WOULD BE FILLED WITH JOY AND PEACE. IF, HOWEVER, THE
ROBIN DID NOT SING, THEN YOU KNEW THAT THE DAY WOULD BE BAD.
MR. SPRINGY REPRESENTED THE BEST OF EVERYTHING AS FAR AS MY
GRANDFATHER WAS CONCERNED. HE WOULD TELL THE STORY OF MR. SPRINGY,
REGAL FELLOW WHO WOULD SING A BREAKFAST SONG WHILE PERCHED HIGH ON
BARN. MY GRANDFATHER CONSIDERED THIS TO
BE THE MORNING PRAYER OF
THANKS FOR THE GOODNESS OF GOD WHICH WAS TO BE SHOWN THAT DAY. MR.
SPRINGY WAS WISE AND KNEW OF ALL SORTS
OF THINGS INCLUDING VERY COMPLEX
THEOLOGICAL NOTIONS. THE BIRD REPRESENTED
ALL THE GOOD THINGS IN LIFE
WHICH INCLUDED WEALTH, HEALTH, SUCCESS
AND BEAUTY. THE DAY WOULD BE
GOOD IF MR. SPRINGY SANG LOUDLY. A POOR SONG WARNED MY GRANDFATHER T
BE CAREFUL IN BUSINESS DEALINGS
THAT DAY AND SINCE MY GRANDFATHER
WAS THE PRESIDENT OF L.A. YOUNG WIRE
WIRE CO, SUCH ADVICE WOULD BE CAREFULLY
HEEDED. A SONG WAS WORTH MY GRANDFATHER'S SMILE AND NOD OF APPROVAL
FOR PAY. IT WAS EVEN WORTH A SPECIAL
HOME FOR MR. SPRINGY WHICH WAS A
RUSTIC AND STURDY CABIN, MADE OUT OF STRONG PINE WOOD. BURNED IN TH
WOOD OF THE UNDERSIDE WERE THE WORDS: "TO A CERTAIN MR. SPRINGY, KIN
OF THE AIR". INDEED, THE ROBIN DESERVED HIS TITLE OF RECOGNITION.
MY GRANDFATHER WOULD TELL THE STORY
WITH DELIGHT. IT WAS ALMOST AS IF HE
COULD REMEMBER THE WAY MR. SPRINGY LOOKED. HE WASN'T JUST ANY
ROBIN, YOU KNOW. THE OLD SONG MR. SPRINGY SANG MUST HAVE STILL RANG
IN MY GRANDFATHER'S EARS. IT WAS A CERTAIN SIGN OF THE BEST OF TIMES
AFTER HEARING THE STORY SEVERAL TIMES, I ASKED MY GRANDFATHER
WHAT IT WAS THAT MADE MR. SPRINGY LEAVE. MY GRANDFATHER DID NOT TELL
ME. HE SAID HE DID NOT KNOW AND HE REMINDED ME THAT MR. SPRINGY
STAYED WITH HIM FOR EIGHT YEARS AND THAT WAS A LONG TIME FOR FRIENDS
TO MEAN THE SAME THING TO EACH OTHER. I NEVER PUSHED FOR A FURTHER
EXPLANATION. BEING TOO YOUNG TO REALLY UNDERSTAND, I WAS CONTENT TO
LISTEN TO MORE STORIES ABOUT THE VICTORY GARDENS AND POLO HORSES.
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, I BROUGHT UP THE OLD STORY OF MR. SPRINGY AT
FAMILY DINNER. MY GREAT-AUNT FINISHED
THE STORY IN TEARS: "THE BIRD SANG HIS
SONG FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, BUT THERE WAS NO FOOD
TO GIVE HIM. THE DEPRESSION
ERA LEFT HARDLY ENOUGH FOR OURSELVES
CAME BACK AFTER THAT. HE
UNDERSTOOD THAT THE STOCK MARKET HAD CRASHED FOR HE WAS A BIRD WITH
GREAT WISDOM AND POWER. YOUR GRANDFATHER BELIEVED IN HIM. I CAN STIL
REMEMBER WHEN YOUR GRANDFATHER GAVE HIM HIS LAST TASTY MORSEL OF OLD
RAISIN BREAD THAT FELL IN EXCESS FROM OUR TABLE. THE TWO SEEMED TO
KNOW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. THEY HAD AN AGREEMENT, THOUGH. MR.
SPRINGY'S HOUSE WAS NOT TO BE TORN DOWN NO MATTER WHAT. AND SO THAT
OLD RUSTIC HOUSE REMAINED ON TOP OF
THAT OLD BARN FOR NEARLY TWENTY FIVE
YEARS UNTIL THE BARN ITSELF WAS TORN
DOWN AND REPLACED BY THE NEW
ALUMINUM GARAGE. BARNS WERE FOR BIRDS, ANIMALS
AND PEOPLE. GARAGES ARE
MERELY FOR CEMENT AND CARS. MR. SPRINGY
WAS LIKE SO MANY OTHER FAITHFUL
SINGERS OF DREAMS THAT NEVER CAME TRUE
AND FRIENDSHIPS THAT NEVER
FAILED."

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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SUPERSTITION

MY GRANDFATHER BELIEVED THAT FOR EVERY
ROSARY A PERSON SAID, TWO SOULS
WERE GO TO HEAVEN IMMEDIATELY. THEREFORE, MY GRANDFATHER URGED THAT
EVERYONE HE KNEW RECITE THE ROSARY AT LEAST TWICE DAILY, THEREBY
BRINGING FOUR SOULS FROM PURGATORY TO HEAVEN. MY GRANDFATHER CLAIMS
THAT HIS OWN MOTHER AND IN TURN, HER MOTHER, HAD TAUGHT HIM THAT
BELIEF AS DOCTRINE OR DOGMA. OF COURSE, MY GRANDFATHER ALSO INSISTED
THAT A ROSARY BE HUNG ON THE WALL OF EVERY
BEDROOM TO REMIND THE VIRGIN
MARY THAT SHE HAD TO TAKE FOUR SOULS TO
HEAVEN ON THAT DAY SIMPLY BECAUSE
HE HAD PRAYED THE ROSARY IN THE
MORNING AND IN THE EVENING.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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SUPERSTITION

MY GRANDFATHER SAID THAT IT WAS A BELIEF OF HIS OWN GRANDPARENTS
THAT A ROSARY IN THE ROOM WOULD WARD OFF EVIL SPIRITS. HE SAID THE
PRACTICE WAS HIGHLY DESIRABLE AND THAT HE, TOO,
WISHED TO CONTINUE IT,
INSISTING THAT A DISPLAYED ROSARY WOULD WARD OFF EVIL AND THAT WE
WOULD BE MIRACUOLOUSLY PROTECTED FROM HARM OR DANGER.
HE ENCOURAGED US TO DO THE SAME IN OUR HOMES AND IN OUR AUTOMOBILES.

Where learned: DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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SUPERSTITION

THERE IS A BELIEF IN CANADA THAT IN A CERTAIN SHRINE OF ST. JOSEPH
CALLED "ST. JOSEPH DU MONT ROYALE", THERE
IS A HEART OF A PIOUS PRIEST
NAMED BROTHER ANDRE WHICH IS STILL BEATING IN A COVERED JAR SO AS NO
TO ALARM THE FAITHFUL PILGRIMS WHO FLOCK TO THE SHRINE FROM
ALL OVER THE WORLD. I, MYSELF, SAW THIS JAR WHICH WAS INDEED COVERE
AND THOUGH I DID NOT SEE THE HEART BEATING,
I ONCE AGAIN HEARD THE STORY
REPEATED BY THE PIOUS PEOPLE ON OUR PILGRIMAGE WHO SAID THAT THE POP
HIMSELF WITNESSED THE HEART BEATING
FOR LOVE OF CHRIST AND THAT OUR LOVE
FOR CHRIST OUGHT TO IMITATE THIS DIVINE LOVE
THAT JESUS SHOWED FOR US ON
THE ALTAR OF THE CROSS AND THAT BROTHER ANDRE HAS SO CAREFULLY TRIED
TO IMITATE WITH THE GREATEST DEGREE OF PERFECTION.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM WHILE IN CANADA ON TOUR OF MARIAN SHRINES.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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SUPERSTITION

MY GREAT AUNT USED TO TELL
THE STORY OF AN OLD STATUE OF THE SACRED HEART
WHICH WAS BURNED AND PARTIALLY DESTROYED IN FRANCE BY THE SOLDIERS O
THE UNITED STATES WHO ACCIDENTALLY RUINED IT DURING WORLD WAR TWO.
MY AUNT INSISTED THAT THE STATUE WAS A BAD OMEN FOR THE UNITED STATE
AND THAT CALAMITY WAS CERTAIN UNLESS AMENDS WERE MADE IMMEDIATELY
SENT WORD TO THE CLOISTERED NUNS TO BEG FOR EARNEST AND SINCERE
REPARATION LEST THE UNITED STATES SUFFER HEAVY CASUALTIES IN THE WAR
FOR ITS HEEDLESS AND CARELESSS DESTRUCTION. MY AUNT IMMEDIATELY
TOLD ME THAT THE STATUE TALKED TO SEVERAL
PEOPLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS,
THE WORDS ON THE STATUE WERE BLOTTED OUT
BY ITS PARTIAL DESTRUCTION, BUT MY AUNT INSISTED THAT THE STATUE
WOULD TELL PIOUS PEOPLE THIS MESSAGE: "I HAVE NO ARMS BUT YOURS".
IT WAS SAID TO BE A DIVINE INDICATION THAT EACH PERSON WAS TO SHARE
IN THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF WAR AND THAT NOBODY, NO MATTER HOW
RELIGIOUS ONE CLAIMED TO BE
WAS EXEMPT FROM IT. MY AUNT ALSO SAID THAT
THE STATUE WAS TAKEN TO HEAVEN AFTER THE WAR ENDED BUT THAT IT WOULD
RETURN DURING WORLD WAR THREE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM WHILE IN CANADA ON TOUR OF MARIAN SHRINES.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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SUPERSTITION

THERE IS A BELIEF IN QUEBEC, CANADA WHICH STATES THAT JUST BEFORE TH
END OF THE WORLD, GOOD STE. ANNE, THE MOTHER OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
MARY WOULD RETURN AND ANNOUNCE
THAT THE END HAD FINALLY COME. THIS WOULD
GIVE THE FAITHFUL ON EARTH A LAST CHANCE TO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENTS
AND RETURN TO THE CHURCH IN THE SAVING EMBRACE OF THE SACRAMENT OF
OF CONFESSION. IT WOULD ALSO BE THEIR LAST WARNING TO RECEIVE GOD'S
LOVE LEST THEY SHOULD DIE MISERABLY IN THEIR SINS AND SUFFER ETERNAL
DAMNATION AND THE FIRES OF HELL FOREVER WITH NO CHANCE OF EVER BEING
FORGIVEN AGAIN. THE PEOPLE
BELIEVE THAT IF THEY REMIND STE. ANNE EACH
YEAR THAT THEY LOVE HER
AND HER DAUGHTER, THE MOST HOLY VIRGIN MARY, THEY
WOULD BE THE FIRST TO BE SAVED AND ESCAPE THE HORRIBLE LAST DAYS OF
OF TIME ON EARTH. SOME FAITHFUL LIGHT CANDLES HERE. OTHERS BRING
FLOWERS. SOME EVEN DRY FLOWERS WHICH HAVE BEEN TOUCHED TO THE SACRE
RELICS WHICH ARE SAID TO BE
HER ACTUAL BONES, IN THE HOPES THAT ON THE
LAST DAY THEY MAY PRESENT THESE
TO THE ALMIGHTY FATHER AND HE SHALL SAVE THEM
FROM THEIR MANY SINS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM WHILE IN CANADA ON TOUR OF MARIAN SHRINES.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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SUPERSTITION

MY GRANDFATHER ALWAYS INSISTED THAT ONE MUST CROSS HIMSELF WHENEVER
ONE HEARD A SIREN.
IF ONE DID NOT DO THIS ACT OF CUSTOMARY PIETY IN HONOR
OF THE INJURED OR DYING PERSON,
THEN THAT PERSON'S DISEASE OR ILLNESS,
OR EVEN DEATH COULD BE TRANSFERRED TO YOU AND VERY SHORTLY AFTERWARD
YOU WOULD RECEIVE THEIR FATE AND SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES YOURSELF.
IF YOU CROSSED YOURSELF SEVERAL TIMES, YOU COULD BE THAT MUCH MORE
SURE THAT THE GESTURE WORKED AND YOU COULD BE DOUBLE OR TRIPLE
PROTECTED FROM EVIL, HARM OR DEATH. IF, HOWEVER, YOU CROSSED
YOURSELF MORE THAN TEN TIMES,
COMPLETE EVIL WOULD OVERTAKE YOU, FOR IT WAS
AN ILLUSTRATION THAT YOU DID NOT REALLY TRUST
IN GOD AND THAT YOU CONSIDERED HIM SO IGNORANT THAT
HE WOULD NOT KNOW THAT YOU WERE PRAYING TO HIM.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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SUPERSTITION

IN QUEBEC, CANADA, IT IS BELIEVED THAT WHEN YOU APPROACH THE GREAT
CHURCH OF ST. ANNE DE BAEAUPRE, YOU SHOULD SING, " HELLO STE. ANNE,
HELLO, STE. ANNE, WE ARE COMING TO SEE YOU AGAIN". THIS WOULD GIVE
STE. ANNE TIME TO GET HER GRACES
READY WHICH SHE WAS TO DISPENSE UPON US.M

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM WHILE IN CANADA ON TOUR OF MARIAN SHRINES.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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SUPERSTITION

THERE IS THE BELIEF IN QUEBEC, CANADA, THAT THE STATUE ON THE CHURCH
OF STE. ANNE DE BEAUPRE IS INCAPABLE OF BURNING DESPITE THE
FACT THAT IT IS MADE UP OF WOOD AND WOOD IS EASILY BURNED.
THIS IS SAID
TO BE A MIRACULOUS POWER AND THAT NOT EVEN THE FIERY POWERS OF SATAN
HIMSELF COULD DESTROY, HURT OR MUTILATE THIS HOLY STATUE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM WHILE IN CANADA ON TOUR OF MARIAN SHRINES.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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SUPERSTITION

IN CANADA, IT IS BELIEVED TO BE A SIGN OF GOOD LUCK IF A PERSON
PASSES YOU DRIVING AN AUTOMOBILE WITH A STATUE OF ST. JOSEPH
ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS COULD MEAN THAT YOU WOULD INHERIT OR WIN
A LOT OF MONEY AND THAT SUCCESS WOULD SURELY BE YOURS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM WHILE IN CANADA ON TOUR OF MARIAN SHRINES.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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CUSTOM FOR CHOOSING TEAMS

IN ELECTING SOMEONE FOR SOMETHING, OR FOR CHOOSING UP TEAMS, WE
USED TO EMPLOY A BASEBALL BAT. THE TWO CAPTAINS WOULD STAND
FACING EACH OTHER AND A THIRD PARTY WOULD TOSS THE BAT STRAIGHT
UP INTO THE AIR. ONE OF THE TWO CAPTAINS WOULD TRY TO CATCH IT
NEAR THE BOTTOM BY GRABBING IT WITH HIS HAND. THE OTHER PERSON
WOULD THEN WRAP HIS HAND AROUND THE BAT DIRECTLY ABOVE THE FIRST
PERSON'S. THIS WOULD CONTINUE UNTIL THERE WAS NO MORE ROOM AT THE
TOP OF THE BAT. WHEN THIS STAGE WAS REACHED THEN THE PERSON WHOSE
HAND WAS NEAREST TO THE TOP WAS THE WINNER. SEVERAL VARIATIONS
WERE ALLOWED. ONE WAS TO REST YOUR ELBOW ON THE FIRST PERSON'S
HAND AND THEN WRAP YOUR HAND AROUND THE BAT. ANOTHER WAS TO PLACE
ONLY TWO FINGERS AROUND THE BAT (BUT THE FINGERS MUST BE ABLE TO
TOUCH THE THUMB IN THIS CASE). FINALLY YOU COULD DO "EAGLE'S
CLAWS," THAT IS, WRAP YOUR FINGERS OVER THE KNOB OF THE BAT IN
THE MANNER OF A BIRD'S CLAWS. BUT IT YOU DID THIS YOU HAD TO
SUBSEQUENTLY THROW THE BAT FARTHER THAN TEN FEET BEHIND YOURSELF
OR YOU LOST. THESE MANEUVERS WERE USED TO SKILLFULLY TRY TO
SHORTEN OR LENGTHEN DISTANCES ON THE BAT SO YOU WOULD WIN.

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS FROM PLAYMATES IN FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, BUT ALSO
USED IT HERE IN DETROIT, ESPECIALLY WHEN CHOOSING TEAMS FOR
SOME GAME THAT REQUIRED A BAT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; INDIANA ; FORT WAYNE

Date learned: 12-00-1963

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SUPERSTITION

IT IS BELIEVED IN QUEBEC, CANADA, AT THE SHRINE OF STE. ANNE
DE BEAUPRE THAT IF ONE TOUCHES THE BONE ON DISPLAY AS A PILGRIM, ONE
WOULD RECEIVE AN ETERNAL REWARD IN HEAVEN. IF ONE WAS SINGLE AND
WANTED TO RECEIVE STE. ANNE'S BLESSING, ONE COULD TOUCH THE RELIC
AND FIND A SPOUSE. IF
ONE WAS MARRIED, ONE WOULD HAVE A LONG AND HAPPY MARRIAGE AND
THE HUSBAND WOULD BE VERY PROSPEROUS. IF ONE WAS PIOUS,
ONE WOULD RECEIVE THE GIFT OF A VOCATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD OR
RELIGIOUS LIFE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM WHILE IN CANADA ON TOUR OF MARIAN SHRINES.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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LEGEND

ON BLISS STREET IN DETROIT, NEIGHBORS TELL OF A LOST TURTLE THAT
WILL ONE DAY RETURN AND GOBBLE
A CHILD BECAUSE IT WILLHAVE GROWN SO
LARGE AND GOTTEN SO OLD AND HUNGRY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. IT APPEARS
THAT A WOMAN HAD SEVERAL PET TURTLES WHICH SHE LOVED AND TO HELP
GIVE THEM THE EXERCISE THEY NEEDED, SHE WOULD RELEASE THEM
IN HER YARD KEEPING A CAREFUL WATCH OVER THEM SO NO BIRD WOULD ATTAC
OR EAT THEM. ONE DAY, SHE LOST ONE AND THOUGH SHE SEARCHED FOR
HOURS, SHE JUST COULD NOT FIND IT. THE NEIGHBORS ALSO JOINED IN
AND HELPED HER BUT THE TURTLE COULD NOT BE FOUND ANYWHERE. THE
LADY ALWAYS HOPED THAT THE TURTLE WOULD COME BACK AND BE HER
FRIEND, BUT, OF COURSE THE TURTLE NEVER DID AND SO THE LADY HAS FELT
HE WILL COME BACK AT A LATER DATE AND DEVOUR A CHILD IN REVENGE FOR
HER CARELESSNESS IN WATCHING THE LITTLE ANIMAL AND NOT PROTECTING
HIM WHEN HE NEEDED HER HELP.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1979

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