The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE THREE DREAMS

THERE WERE THREE MEN TRAVELLING THROUGH THE SOUTH LOOKING FOR
WORK. THEY CAME UPON A FARM WHERE A FARMER'S WIFE OFFERED THEM
A SWEET POTATO PIE TO CHOP SOME WOOD. AFTER THEY HAD FINISHED
WORKING THEY WERE ALL VERY HUNGRY. THEY DECIDED THAT THEY
WOULD ALL GO TO SLEEP AND THE NEXT MORNING WHOEVER HAD HAD THE
BEST DREAM WOULD HAVE THE WHOLE PIE TO HIMSELF. THE NEXT DAY
THEY BEGAN TO RELATE THEIR DREAMS. THE FIRST MAN SAID THAT HE
WAS TOO TIRED AND HUNGRY TO DREAM ABOUT ANYTHING. THE SECOND
MAN SAID THAT HE HAD DREAMED ABOUT BEING RICH AND HAVING ALL
THAT HE WANTED TO EAT. THE THIRD MAN SAID THAT HE COULDN'T
SLEEP SO HE GOT UP AND ATE THE PIE.

Submitter comment: THIS TYPE OF STORY IS COMMON AMONG SOUTHERN NEGROES. THE OBJECT
OF THE VICTUAL VARIES ACCORDING TO REGION. GREENS FOR GEORGIA
A POT OF RICE FOR SOUTH CAROLINA, AND SO ON.

Where learned: ALABAMA ; ANNISTON

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