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THE RETARD

FAR AWAY, CLOSE TO A FOREST, LIVED A POOR WIDOW WITH A
RETARDED SON. SHE MADE A LIVING FROM A FEW ACRES SHE
OWNED. SHE HAD ONE COW FOR MILK, SOME SHEEP, CHICKENS,
AND GEESE.
ONE DAY, SHE WAS VERY ILL AND HAD NO ONE TO HELP HER,
SO SHE DECIDED TO SELL HER COW TO PAY FOR HER DOCTOR
BILL.
SHE CALLED HER SON AND TOLD HIM TO TAKE THE COW TO THE
MARKET AND NOT TO SELL IT TO ANYONE WHO WOULD TALK
MUCH, BUT SELL IT ONLY TO THE PERSON WHO WOULD PAY THE
BEST. THE RETARDED SON TOOK THE COW AND WAS STANDING
AT THE MARKET. MANY PEOPLE ASKED HOW MUCH HE WANTED,
BUT HE WOULDN'T TELL THEM, BECAUSE THEY WERE TALKING.
HE TOOK THE COW BACK ON THE ROAD AND STARTED TO WALK
HOME. BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD STOOD A STATUE OF ST.
ANTHONY. THE RETARD YELLED TO THE STATUE IF HE WOULD
BE INTERESTING IN BUYING THE COW.
THE STATUE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING, SO HE TOOK A STICK
AND BEAT IT TILL THE STATUE FELL APART. WHEN IT FELL
APART, THERE WERE TWO BAGS OF MONEY INSIDE. ONE OF
SILVER AND ONE OF GOLD. HE TIED THE COW TO A LITTLE
FENCE AND STARTED TO SORT THE MONEY.
MEANWHILE, A NEIGHBORING RANCHER WAS GOING BY. HE
STOPPED AND ASKED THE RETARD WHAT HE WAS DOING.
THE RETARD SAID THAT HE WAS SORTING THE MONEY. THE
RANCHER ASKED THE RETARD IF HE TOO COULD HAVE SOME OF
THE MONEY. THEN HE WAS TOLD THAT HE COULD HAVE ALL THE
SILVER MONEY. HE STARTED PICKING UP THE SILVER, BUT
WAS TAKING SOME OF THE GOLD, WHEN THE RETARD DISCOVERED
HIM. THE RETARD LOST HIS TEMPER AND STARTED HITTING
THE RANCHER UNTIL HE HAD KILLED HIM.
THE RETARD THEN TOOK THE MONEY TO HIS MOTHER. WHEN
THE MOTHER ASKED IF HE HAD SOLD THE COW, HE TOLD HER
HE HAD AND ALSO THAT HE HAD KILLED THE RANCHER. THE
POOR WOMAN GOT UP FROM THE BED AND TOOK HER SON TO
BURY THE RANCHER.
LATER, SHE THOUGHT ABOUT IT, AND DECIDED THAT HER SON
WOULD TALK ABOUT KILLING THE RANCHER. SHE DECIDED TO
KILL ONE OF HER RAMS AND SHE BURIED IT IN THE PLACE OF
THE RANCHER AND MOVED THE RANCHER'S BODY TO ANOTHER
PLACE.
THE NEXT MORNING THE NEWS SPREAD AROUND THAT THE
RANCHER'S HORSES CAME BACK WITHOUT HIM. EVERYONE WAS
TALKING ABOUT THE RANCHER WHO HAD DISAPPEARED.
THE RETARD TOLD THE PEOPLE HE HAD KILLED THE RANCHER
AND THEY REPORTED IT TO THE POLICE. THE POLICE CAME
AND PLACED HIM UNDER ARREST AND TOOK HIM TO THE AREA
OF THE CRIME AND TOLD HIM TO DIG FOR THE RANCHER'S
BODY. THE RETARD STARTED TO DIG AND HE FIRST UNCOVERED
THE RAMS HORNS. HE LOOKED TO THE POLICEMEN AND ALL
THE NEIGHBORS STANDING BY AND ASKED, "DID YOUR RANCHER
HAVE HORNS?"
THE QUESTION WAS VERY SILLY AND EVERYONE LEFT THE RETARD.
HE CAME HOME AND ENJOYED THE MONEY WHICH HE TOOK FROM
THE STATUE. ROBBERS HAD HIDDEN IT THERE AND THOUGHT
THAT NO ONE WOULD FIND IT.

Where learned: POLAND

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale

Date learned: 00-00-1935

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

View just this record

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THE RETARD

FAR AWAY, CLOSE TO A FOREST, LIVED A POOR WIDOW WITH A
RETARDED SON. SHE MADE A LIVING FROM A FEW ACRES SHE
OWNED. SHE HAD ONE COW FOR MILK, SOME SHEEP, CHICKENS,
AND GEESE.
ONE DAY, SHE WAS VERY ILL AND HAD NO ONE TO HELP HER,
SO SHE DECIDED TO SELL HER COW TO PAY FOR HER DOCTOR
BILL.
SHE CALLED HER SON AND TOLD HIM TO TAKE THE COW TO THE
MARKET AND NOT TO SELL IT TO ANYONE WHO WOULD TALK
MUCH, BUT SELL IT ONLY TO THE PERSON WHO WOULD PAY THE
BEST. THE RETARDED SON TOOK THE COW AND WAS STANDING
AT THE MARKET. MANY PEOPLE ASKED HOW MUCH HE WANTED,
BUT HE WOULDN'T TELL THEM, BECAUSE THEY WERE TALKING.
HE TOOK THE COW BACK ON THE ROAD AND STARTED TO WALK
HOME. BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD STOOD A STATUE OF ST.
ANTHONY. THE RETARD YELLED TO THE STATUE IF HE WOULD
BE INTERESTING IN BUYING THE COW.
THE STATUE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING, SO HE TOOK A STICK
AND BEAT IT TILL THE STATUE FELL APART. WHEN IT FELL
APART, THERE WERE TWO BAGS OF MONEY INSIDE. ONE OF
SILVER AND ONE OF GOLD. HE TIED THE COW TO A LITTLE
FENCE AND STARTED TO SORT THE MONEY.
MEANWHILE, A NEIGHBORING RANCHER WAS GOING BY. HE
STOPPED AND ASKED THE RETARD WHAT HE WAS DOING.
THE RETARD SAID THAT HE WAS SORTING THE MONEY. THE
RANCHER ASKED THE RETARD IF HE TOO COULD HAVE SOME OF
THE MONEY. THEN HE WAS TOLD THAT HE COULD HAVE ALL THE
SILVER MONEY. HE STARTED PICKING UP THE SILVER, BUT
WAS TAKING SOME OF THE GOLD, WHEN THE RETARD DISCOVERED
HIM. THE RETARD LOST HIS TEMPER AND STARTED HITTING
THE RANCHER UNTIL HE HAD KILLED HIM.
THE RETARD THEN TOOK THE MONEY TO HIS MOTHER. WHEN
THE MOTHER ASKED IF HE HAD SOLD THE COW, HE TOLD HER
HE HAD AND ALSO THAT HE HAD KILLED THE RANCHER. THE
POOR WOMAN GOT UP FROM THE BED AND TOOK HER SON TO
BURY THE RANCHER.
LATER, SHE THOUGHT ABOUT IT, AND DECIDED THAT HER SON
WOULD TALK ABOUT KILLING THE RANCHER. SHE DECIDED TO
KILL ONE OF HER RAMS AND SHE BURIED IT IN THE PLACE OF
THE RANCHER AND MOVED THE RANCHER'S BODY TO ANOTHER
PLACE.
THE NEXT MORNING THE NEWS SPREAD AROUND THAT THE
RANCHER'S HORSES CAME BACK WITHOUT HIM. EVERYONE WAS
TALKING ABOUT THE RANCHER WHO HAD DISAPPEARED.
THE RETARD TOLD THE PEOPLE HE HAD KILLED THE RANCHER
AND THEY REPORTED IT TO THE POLICE. THE POLICE CAME
AND PLACED HIM UNDER ARREST AND TOOK HIM TO THE AREA
OF THE CRIME AND TOLD HIM TO DIG FOR THE RANCHER'S
BODY. THE RETARD STARTED TO DIG AND HE FIRST UNCOVERED
THE RAMS HORNS. HE LOOKED TO THE POLICEMEN AND ALL
THE NEIGHBORS STANDING BY AND ASKED, "DID YOUR RANCHER
HAVE HORNS?"
THE QUESTION WAS VERY SILLY AND EVERYONE LEFT THE RETARD.
HE CAME HOME AND ENJOYED THE MONEY WHICH HE TOOK FROM
THE STATUE. ROBBERS HAD HIDDEN IT THERE AND THOUGHT
THAT NO ONE WOULD FIND IT.

Where learned: POLAND

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale

Date learned: 00-00-1935

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POLISH PROVERB

MARTIN WAS TEACHING LITTLE MARTIN, BUT HE HIMSELF
WAS AS STUPID AS A PIG.
TRANSLATION OF:
ULCZYT MARCIN MARCINN, A PAM GTUPI JAK S'IVINIA.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS USED IN REFERENCE TO SOMEONE WHO TRIES TO IMPRESS OTHERS
WITH SOMETHING HE KNOWS LITTLE ABOUT.
MY GRANDMOTHER KNOWS IT FROM POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND

James Callow Keyword(s): OBSERVANCE ; PERSONAL NAME

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Blason Populaire

Date learned: 11-21-1967

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THE SORCERERS STONE OR THE SNAKE QUEEN

MANY YEARS AGO IN THE POLISH CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS, THERE
LIVED A POOR MAN NAMED BACA. HE LIVED IN A HOUSE MADE
OUT OF CLAY AND HAD A SMALL FLOCK OF SHEEP AND TWO BEST
FRIENDS WHO WERE A CAT AND A DOG.
HE WAS RENTING A SMALL VALLEY FROM A LANDLORD. EVERY
YEAR THE POOR MAN HAD TO PAY FOR IT AND IT WAS VERY
HARD TO DO.
ONE TIME, BACA WAS WALKING THROUGH A FOREST AND HE
HEARD A QUIET VOICE. "MAN, SAVE ME." HE LOOKED BACKWARD
AND HE SAW A SNAKE IN A BURNING BUSH. BACA WAS AFRAID
OF IT, SO HE ONLY HANDLED IT BY USING HIS CANE. THE
SNAKE WAS SAFE AND STARTED TO TALK TO HIM IN A HUMAN
VOICE. "THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SAVING MY LIFE." "WOULD
YOU WAIT FOR ME A LITTLE?"
AFTER A TIME THE SNAKE CAME WITH A VALUABLE GEM. IT WAS
SO SHINY THAT BACA HAD TO COVER HIS EYES. THE STONE HAD
THE POWER OF FORTUNE TELLING. FROM THAT TIME, BACA'S
HOUSE WAS WITH EVERYTHING.
WHEN SPRING CAME THE SERVANTS OF THE LAND OWNER CAME TO
COLLECT PAYMENT AND SAW ALL THE WEALTH IN THE HOUSE AND
WERE VERY AMAZED. A STORM WAS COMING AND THEY DECIDED
TO STAY THE NIGHT. THEY SAW THE VALUABLE FORTUNE TELLING
GEM THAT LIGHTED THE WHOLE HOUSE. THEY WERE VERY
INTERESTED IN IT AND STARTED TO ASK BACA WHERE HE GOT IT
FROM. HE TOLD THEM THE TRUTH ABOUT THE STONE AND ITS
POWER. THE SERVANTS WENT BACK AND TOLD THE LANDLORD
ABOUT THE STONE.
THE LANDLORD DECIDED TO VISIT THE HOUSE AND SEE FOR
HIMSELF. WHEN HE ENTERED BACA'S HOUSE HE TOLD HIM THAT
THE STONE BELONGED TO HIM. BACA BEGGED HIM TO LEAVE
THE STONE, BUT THE LANDLORD TOOK THE STONE WITH HIM.
THROUGH ALL THE COMMOTION THE CAT AND DOG WERE
LISTENING. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LANDLORD LEFT THEY
WENT AFTER HIM TO HIS CASTLE. THE LANDLORD HID THE
MAGIC STONE IN HIS WALLET AND WENT TO BED WITH IT.
WHEN THE LANDLORD FELL FAST ASLEEP THE CAT AND DOG
ENTERED HIS BEDROOM VERY QUIETLY AND TOOK THE WALLET
WITH THE STONE.
AFTER A LONG JOURNEY, THEY CAME TO BACA'S HOUSE.
THERE TOGETHER WITH BACA THEY DECIDED TO LEAVE THE
VALLEY OF THE LANDLORD. THEY WENT FAR AWAY, PAST THE
HILLS AND FORESTS AND MADE THEIR HOME FAR AWAY FROM
OTHER PEOPLE. THEY HAD ALL THE WEALTH THEY NEEDED AND
LIVED VERY HAPPILY EVERY 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

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A POLISH GESTURE

A POLISH GESTURE I KNOW FROM POLAND IS ONE TO SHOW THAT
SOMEONE IS DRUNK. THE OUTER SIDE OF THE RIGHT {HAND}
IS USED. YOU PUT THE HAND, PARALLEL TO THE FLOOR
AGAINST THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE THROAT.

Where learned: POLAND

Subject headings: 602 Body Parts
SPEECH -- Derision Scorn
SPEECH -- Drinking

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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A GESTURE MY FATHER KNOWS FROM POLAND IS ONE TO SHOW
THAT SOMEONE IS DRUNK. THE RIGHT HAND IS USED.
THE RIGHT EYE IS WINKED AS THE TONGUE IS CLUCKED AND
THE FOREFINGER IS FLICKED AT THE THROAT.

Where learned: POLAND

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Drink
SPEECH -- Formula
SPEECH -- Body parts involved
SPEECH -- Derision Scorn
SPEECH -- Drinking

Date learned: 11-29-1967

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JOHN AND MARGARET

JOHN AND MARGARET HAD A FATHER AND A STEPMOTHER. THE STEPMOTHER
TOOK THEM INTO THE FOREST AND THE CHILDREN KNEW THAT SHE WAS
GOING TO LEAVE THEM THERE. SO THE BOY SCATTERED CRUMBS OF
BREAD ALONG THE WAY SO THEY COULD FIND THEIR WAY BACK. THE
STEPMOTHER DID LEAVE THEM AND WENT BACK HOME.
HOWEVER, THE BIRDS ATE THE BREAD CRUMBS AND THE CHILDREN COULDN'T
FIND THEIR WAY BACK HOME. THEY WALKED AROUND AND AROUND ON
CIRCLES INSIDE THE FOREST TRYING TO FIND THEIR WAY HOME. THEN THE
CHILDREN SAW A VERY NICE HOUSE MADE OF CAKES. TORTS, COOKIES,
THE WITCH CAME CAME OUT SAYING, "WHO IS TAKING APART MY
HOME? DO NOT BE AFRAID, COME TO ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU
SOMETHING TO EAT." SHE FED THEM AND TREATED THEM VERY
WELL. LATER SHE LIT THE OVEN==THE OVEN WAS LARGE- AND WHEN IT
WAS HOT SHE TOLD THE BOY TO SIT ON THE WOODEN SHOVEL. BUT THE BOY
SAID, "I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SIT DOWN ON IT. WILL YOU
SHOW ME HOW TO DO IT?". AND AS SHE WAS GOING TO
SHOW HIM, HE PUSHED HER INTO THE OVEN.
THEY WERE HAPPY AND WENT HOME AND LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT NEVER HEARD OF HANSEL AND GRETEL. SHE HEARD THIS STORY
FROM HER OLDER SISTER WHILE IN POLAND.
THIS IS TRANSLATED FROM POLISH

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

AFTER CHRISTMAS THE BOYS WOULD VISIT HOMES DRESSED AS A DEVIL
CARRYING A PITCHFORK AND SHEPHERDS WITH A STAR. THEY WOULD SING A
FEW CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND PUT ON A SHORT FUNNY PLAY. THE PLAY
USUALLY INVOLVED THE SHEPHERDS AND DEVIL FIGHTING EACH OTHER.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE IN POLAND FROM CHRISTMAS DAY UNTIL NEW YEAR'S DAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Subject headings: DRAMA -- Religious
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 28 Holy Innocents
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F122
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 26 Boxing Day St. Stephen's Day
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F123
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Songs, caroling

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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EASTER CUSTOM

BOYS WOULD MAKE TINY HOLES WITH A NEEDLE AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF AN
EGG AND BLOW THE INSIDES OUT. WHEN THE GIRLS WERE STANDING UP
IN CHURCH THE BOYS WOULD SNEAK UP AND PIN THE EMPTY SHELL
ON THEIR BACKS.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE TO UNMARRIED GIRLS IN POLAND.
THE INFORMANT IS NOT SURE WHETHER IT WAS DONE AT CHRISTMAS OR
OR EASTER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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EASTER CUSTOM

ON THE FIRST DAY AFTER EASTER THE BOYS IN THE CITY WOULD SPRINKLE
THE GIRLS WITH PERFUME BUT IN THE VILLAGE THE BOYS WOULD THROW
PAILS FULL OF WATER AT
THE GIRLS AS THEY WOULD BE GOING TO CHURCH. THE GIRLS WOULD
SPLASH THEM BACK WITH A CUPFUL OF WATER.

Submitter comment: THIS TOOK PLACE IN POLAND.
IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH IS DETROIT, A LADY SAID THAT BOYS
WOULD HIT GIRLS THE DAY
AFTER EASTER AND THE GIRLS COULDN'T HIT BACK. THE OPPOSITE HELD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Monday Dyngus
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Tuesday Revenge Day

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

ON THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST GIRLS MADE WREATHS
FROM FLOWERS NEAR THE WATER. THEY PLACED CANDLES ON THEIR
WREATHS
AND SAW WHICH ONE WOULD FLOAT THE LONGEST. THAT GIRL WOULD BE
MARRIED FIRST WHOSE WREATH STAYED UP THE LONGEST.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE IN POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 24 St. John's Day / Midsummer Day
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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GAME VERSE

"ULI ULI JANKO:" KNEEL DOWN ON YOUR KNEE, REST
YOURSELF ON YOUR HIPS, CATCH YOURSELF BY YOUR BRAIDS, WASH YOURSELF
AND COMB YOURSELF. WHOEVER YOU LOVE THAT ONE TAKE.

Submitter comment: FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS OF THE RHYME.
THIS WAS LEARNED IN POLAND.
THIS IS TRANSLATED FROM POLISH

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse C750.520

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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LULLABY

NOW THE MOON SLEEPS AND THE STARS ARE SLEEPING. THEY TIRED
MY LITTLE DOLL. CLOSE YOUR LITTLE EYES AND LAY DOWN YOUR
LITTLE HEAD AND I WILL TELL YOU A TALE. THERE WAS A KING,
THERE WAS A "PAZ" , AND THERE WAS ALSO A QUEEN.
THEY LIVED IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROSE GARDEN, DID NOT KNOW STORMY
WEATHER, AND EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT IT.
THEN A TERRIBLE LOSS, A SUDDEN DEATH, CAME UPON THEM.
THE KING WAS EATEN BY THE DOG, THE "PAZ" WAS
EATEN BY THE CAT, THE QUEEN, THE MOUSE HAD EATEN. BUT SO THAT
YOU WILL NOT BE SAD MY DEAREST LITTLE DOLL, FROM SUGAR WAS MADE
THE KING, FROM CHOCOLATE THE "PAZ", AND THE QUEEN
"Z MARCEPANA."

Submitter comment: "Z MARCEPANA" IS A TYPE OF CAKE WHICH THE
QUEEN WAS MADE OF.
THE INFORMANT DID NOT KNOW WHAT KIND IT EXACTLY WAS.
THIS IS A TRANSLATION OF THE LULLABY LEARNED IN POLAND.
THIS IS TRANSLATED FROM POLISH

James Callow comment: MARZIPAN IS A CONFECTION MADE FROM ALMOND PASTE AND
CK[ EGG WHITE AND SUGAR. PAC

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

James Callow Keyword(s): EGG WHITE AND SUGAR. PAC

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Cradle song Lullaby

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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GAME VERSE

WALKS THE CHIMNEY UP THE LADDER "FIKMIK"/ AND
HE'S ALREADY STIRRING IN THE CHIMNEY.
PLACE HANDS BACK TO BACK ( LEFT HAND FACING DOWNWARD AND PALM OF
RIGHT HAND FACING UPWARD. CROSS FINGERS ONE BY ONE AND
TWIST ARMS AROUND BUT KEEP FINGERS INTERTWINED SO THAT THE
RIGHT THUMB IS STIRRING IN THE CENTER AND APPEARS TO BE THE
CHIMNEY SWEEPER WORKING.

Submitter comment: TRANSLATED FROM POLISH. THIS WAS LEARNED IN POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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PENTECOST CELEBRATION

HOMES AND CHURCHES WOULD BE DRESSED GREEN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS DONE IN POLAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pentecost
BELIEF -- Color

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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