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WOMAN WITH THREE MEN

ONCE THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN WHO HAD A BROTHER,
A HUSBAND AND A SON WHO WERE REBELS,
WORKING AGINST THEIR GOVERNMENT.
IT SO HAPPENED THAT THE THREE MEN WERE ARRESTED
BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND THROWN INTO JAIL.
THE OLD WOMAN WHO WAS VERY DISTRESSED WENT TO THE OFFICIALS
TO PLEAD FOR THEIR RELEASE. THE OFFICIALS TOLD HER THAT THEY
WOULD RELEASE ONE OF THE THREE MEN. THE WOMAN WENT HOME TO
THINK THE MATTER OVER AND DECIDED THAT SHE COULD GET ANOTHER
HUSBAND AND HAVE ANOTHER SON, BUT COULD NEVER HAVE ANOTHER BROTHER.
SHE RETURNED TO THE OFFICIALS AND ASKED THEM TO RELEASE HER BROTHER,
TELLING THEM HER REASONS FOR HER DECISION. THE OFFICIALS WERE SO
IMPRESSED WITH HER LOGIC THAT THEY RELEASED ALL THREE.

Submitter comment: FOLLOWING STORY WAS TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HER GREAT-
AUNT, WHEN SHE WAS QUARRELING WITH HER BROTHER:
THE INFORMANT COMMENTED THAT MANY OF THE LEBANESE
TALES HAVE A WISE OLD WOMAN MAKE AN IMPORTANT DECISION.
THE INFORMANT COMMENTED THAT MANY OF THE LEBANESE TALES HAVE A WISE
OLD WOMAN MAKE AN IMPORTANT DECISION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic

Date learned: 03-02-1970

View just this record

LEBANESE EPIPHANY TALE

FIRST, THE TALE IS TOLD OF SHARIFA AND HER BROTHERS AND SISTERS
AND HER CRUEL STEPMOTHER. MOTHER WOULD FEED THEM GRUEL AND UNAPPETIZING FOOD,
PUT THEM TO BED EARLY AND PREPARE A RICH, GOOD FOOD FOR HERSELF AND HUSBAND.
ON EPIPHANY EVENING, AFTER THE CHILDREN WERE PUT TO BED, THE CRUEL STEPMOTHER
PREPARED THE TRADITIONAL PASTRY OF EPIPHANY OR "LITTLE CHRISTMAS" CALLED DYLABIA.
SHARIFA, THE OLDEST WAS AWAKENED BY THE FRAGRANT AROMA OF THE DONUT-LIKE PASTRY,
AND CALLED OUT THAT SHE WANTED SOME, OR SHE'D WAKE UP THE OTHER CHILDREN.
THE MOTHER WAS ANGRY AND GAVE HER A LITTLE TO SILENCE HER, AND FORCED HER BACK TO BED.
AGAIN SHE CALLED AND HER MOTHER TRIED TO SILENCE HER, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. THE OTHER CHILDREN
AWAKENED AND CLAMORED FOR DYLABIA. THE MOTHER GAVE THEM ALL SOME, BUT WAS VERY ANGRY WITH SHARIFA.
THE NEXT MORNING THE STEPMOTHER TOOK SHARIFA IN THE WOODS AND LEFT HER THERE. SHE WAS FRIGHTENED
AND SOUGHT SHELTER IN A TREE OVER A SPARKLING POND. ONE DAY A HANDSOME, YOUNG PRINCE CAME RIDING
THROUGH THE FOREST. HE SAW THE POND AND RODE OVER UNDER SHARIFA'S TREE TO WATER HIS HORSE.
WHEN THE HORSE BENT TO DRINK IT WAS FRIGHTENED BY SHARIFA'S REFLECTION IN THE POND, AND HE PULLED AWAY.
THINKING THIS STRANGE, THE PRINCE LOOKED IN THE WATER AND SAW SHARIFA WHO WAS VERY FRIGHTENED,
BUT VERY BEAUTIFUL. KINDLY, HE BESEECHED HER TO COME DOWN, BUT SHE REFUSED TO EVEN SPEAK.
THEN THE PRINCE HAD AN IDEA. HE RODE BACK TO THE PALACE AND TOLD AN OLD WISE WOMAN HIS PROBLEM
OF THE GIRL IN THE TREE. SHE TOLD HIM TO BRING HER 6 DOZEN EGGS, 2 GALLONS OF OIL AND A FRYING PAN.
THEY RETURNED TO THE FOREST AND THE OLD WOMAN BUILT A FIRE UNDER SHARIFA'S TREE AND BEGAN
PREPARING EGGS FOR DINNER. SHARIFA WATCHED AS SHE TURNED THE FRYING PAN UPSIDE DOWN,
POURED ON THE OIL AND BROKE THE EGGS, WITH THE EGGS AND OIL DRIPPING DOWN OVER THE PAN
AND INTO THE FIRE. SHARIFA WAS VERY HUNGRY. SHE CALLED DOWN FROM THE TREE TELLING THE
WOMAN TO TURN THE PAN RIGHT-SIDE-UP. THE WISE OLD WOMAN PRETENDED SHE COULDN'T HEAR HER.
FINALLY SHARIFA CLIMBED DOWN AND SHOWED THE OLD WOMAN WHAT TO DO. AT THAT MOMENT THE HANDSOME
PRINCE APPEARED. HE PROMISED TO BE GOOD TO HER AND TOOK HER AND THE OLD WOMAN BACK TO THE PALACE
WHERE THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

Submitter comment: FOLLOWING TALE IS TOLD ON THE FEAST OF EPIPHANY
(JAN. 6) DURING THE TAKING DOWN OF THE CHRISTMAS
TREE. THE SCENE IS RE-ENACTED BY THE CHILDREN IN
THE FAMILY.
AFTER THE TALE IS ENACTED BY THE CHILDREN, THEY EAT
THE PASTRY MOTHER HAS MADE.
SHARIFA DYLABIA

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic

Date learned: CA04001970

View just this record

GHOST STORY

TEXT KEYPUNCHED IN NOVEMBER, 1972--ALSO IN 5X8 FILE CABINET
TURKS AFTER THEY DIE RETURN TO HAUNT CHRISTIANS.
THERE WAS NOISE UNDER OUR HOUSE WHERE WE KEPT THE HORSES.
MY MOTHER WENT DOWN TO LOOK BUT SHE SAW NO ONE AND SHE LOCKED
THE DOOR. WHEN SHE WENT TO SEE THE HORSES IN THE MORNING,
SHE FOUND A DEAD TURK'S BODY. THEY ONLY LIVE AT NIGHT TO
HAUNT.

Submitter comment: ARMENIAN BELIEF THAT TURKISH GHOSTS HAUNT CHRISTIANS AT NIGHT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 09-19-1972

View just this record

THE BEAR MAN- A WEREBEAR STORY

THERE WAS A MAN IN A VILLAGE WHO EVERY NIGHT WOULD
CHANGE INTO A VICIOUS BEAR. HIS WIFE MARRIED HIM NOT
KNOWING HE WAS CURSED. WHEN HE WOULD FEEL HIS BLOOD
RUNNING VERY HOT, HE WOULD HAVE HIS WIFE LOCK HIM IN
A ROOM. HE TOLD HER THAT WHEN SHE SAW HAIRY HANDS
UNDERNEATH THE DOOR NOT TO LET HIM OUT. WHEN SHE
SAW CLEAN, SMOOTH HANDS SHE COULD OPEN THE DOOR.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT DID NOT BELIEVE THIS AT ALL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Werewolf Vampire

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

NOT GIVEN

THIS FELLA HAD A HOUNDDOG AND IT WAS USED TO RACCOON HUNT. THE
HIDE WOULD BE SAVED AND THE MEAT EATEN. THIS FELLA SAID HIS DOG
WAS UNBELIEVABLY GOOD. WHEN SOMEONE CAME TO VISIT HIM, HE'D
FIGURE OUT HOW MANY RACCOONS HE WOULD NEED TO FEED THEM. SO HE'D
TAKE THE DOG OUT TO THE SHED WHERE HE HAD ALL THESE RACCOON HIDES
HANGING UP. HE'D LOOK AT THEM, FIND THE ONE HE WANTED, CALL HIS
DOG OVER AND POINT TO THIS RACCOON SKIN. THE HOUND DOG WOULD RARE
UP AND HE'D SNIFF AND SNIFF THE HIDE, THEN TAKE OFF TO THE WOODS.
HE'D COME BACK WITH A RACCOON THE SAME EXACT SIZE OF THE HIDE THE
GUY POINTED TO. HE NEVER CAME BACK WITHOUT IT. THE GUY ALWAYS
KNEW THAT. THIS FELLA, HE SAID HE WAS SORRY 'CAUSE SOMEONE CAME
UP THERE ONE TIME WITH A RACCOON COAT ON. HE SAID HE WAS HOT AND
THE COAT WAS HEAVY SO HE HUNG IT UP THERE. THEN THAT HOUND DOG
UP AND SNIFFED THE COAT AND HE TOOK OFF. THE FELLA SAID, "I'D
NEVER SEE HIM 'CAUSE HE WON'T COME BACK WITHOUT IT."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quantity or weight Solid

Date learned: 02-07-1972

View just this record

NOT GIVEN

THERE'S THIS FELLA ALWAYS TELLING FALSE STORIES WHEN HE CAME INTO
TOWN. THIS FELLA LIVED THERE IN THE COMMUNITY AREA. THE FELLA
WAS TALKING ABOUT HUNTING OUT WEST. HE SAID THAT HE WAS SHOOTIN'
AT A MOUNTAIN GOAT. THEY WERE UP REAL HIGH. HE SAID HE SHOT THE
GOAT AND IT FELL DOWN INTO A KINGBERRY. WHEN IT DID FALL, IT FELL
RIGHT ON A BEAR. IT CHASED THE BEAR OUT OF THE KINGBERRY AND HE
SHOT AT IT TOO.

Submitter comment: A KINGBERY IS A HEAVILY DENSE THICKET WHERE A BEAR MIGHT SLEEP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale

Date learned: 02-07-1972

View just this record

NOT GIVEN

IN CANADA THERE'S A LAKE OVER THERE, YOU WOULD HAVE TO WALK A LONG
WAY TO GET THERE 'CAUSE THERE ARE NO ROADS. A LOT OF PEOPLE WENT
THERE 'CAUSE THE FISH WERE SO BIG. THIS FELLA SAID THE MOSQUITOS
WERE BIG, TOO; THEY WERE LIKE HORSEFLIES. THEN THIS FELLA WAS
TALKIN' ABOUT THE FISH THEY CAUGHT. HE SAID, "I DON'T LIKE TO
FISH IN THAT LAKE." SOMEONE ASKED, "WHY NOT?" THE FELLA SAID,
"YOU CAN'T KEEP THE BAIT. THE FISH COME AND STEAL YOUR BAIT.
YOU HAVE TO GO BEHIND A TREE OR SOMETHING TO BAIT YOUR HOOK."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale
BELIEF -- Animal

Date learned: 02-07-1972

View just this record

NOT GIVEN

THERE'S THIS GUY NAMED STADTON THAT DID A LOT OF HUNTING. HE WAS
HUNTING SQUIRRELS ONE EARLY MORNING ALONG BY A CORN FIELD. THERE
WAS A RAIL FENCE AT THE END OF THE FIELD WHERE THE SQUIRRELS
LIVED. THEY WOULD COME INTO THE CORN FIELD AND EAT THE CORN.
IT WAS BARELY DAYLIGHT AND THIS BEAR CAME ALONG. THAT BEAR WAS
PULLING OFF THOSE EARS OF CORN LIKE A MAN WOULD. HE GOT AN ARMFUL
OF THEM AND THEN WOULD GO DOWN TO A LOWER PLACE AND HEAVE THEM
INTO A BIG CYPRESS STUMP. STADTON SAID HE HAD TO GO DOWN THERE
AND SEE WHY THE BEAR WAS THROWING THEM IN THERE. STADTON WENT
AND HE SAID THE BEAR, HE HAD A HOG IN THAT THERE STUMP AND WAS
FATTENING HIM UP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale
Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 02-07-1972

View just this record

NOT GIVEN

THIS GUY HAD A BIRD DOG; HE WAS ALWAYS BRAGGING ABOUT HOW GOOD
THIS DOG WAS. ONE DAY HE WENT OUT SHOOTIN' QUAIL. HE SHOT ONE
AND IT FELL INTO THE RIVER. THE DOG JUMPED INTO THE RIVER TO
GET THE BIRD. HE STARTED SWIMMING AFTER IT AND KEPT SWIMMING
AFTER. THE BIRD KEPT FLOATIN' DOWN, THE DOG KEPT SWIMMING AFTER
IT. SO FINALLY THE DOG GOT OUT OF SIGHT. HE SAW IT GO UNDER AND
FIGURED IT HAD DROWNED. HE LEFT FOR HOME. THE NEXT DAY HE WENT
BACK HUNTING IN THE SAME AREA. THE DOG CAME SWIMMING OUT WITH A
FISH, A BIG OLD CATFISH. THE GUY TOOK THE CATFISH AND THE DOG
AND WENT HOME. BUT HE COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. HE CLEANED THE
CATFISH AND FOUND THE BIRD IN IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale
BELIEF -- Animal
BELIEF -- Mammal

Date learned: 02-07-1972

View just this record

STADTON'S BROTHER SAID IF YOU PUT GREASE ON YOUR
SHOES THEY'LL LAST LONGER. SO STADTON SAID HE'D TRY IT.
ON ONE SHOE HE PUT A LOT OF GREASE AND OIL AND ON THE
OTHER NEARLY A DROP. {MERELY?} STADTON, HE SAID
"IT'S TRUE. THE ONE I GREASED A LOT LASTED ONE DAY
LONGER THAN THE OTHER."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 02-07-1972

View just this record

ONCE AGAIN, WHEN I WAS 12 YEARS OLD, I WAS OUT WALKING
ONE DAY. I HAD A NEW DRESS ON, AND I FELT PROUD. I
LOOKED AT MYSELF, BECAUSE WE ONLY GOT A NEW DRESS EVERY
2 OR 3 YEARS. I WAS SITTING IN CHURCH THAT SAME DAY
AND MY MOTHER HOLLERED AT ME, WHEN I STARTED LOOKING
AT MYSELF. WHEN WE WENT HOME, MOTHER SAID, "WHAT
DID YOU HAVE, YOU WERE WALTZING AROUND." I SAID,
"NO, I WASN'T." MOTHER SAID, "YOU WERE ADMIRING
YOURSELF." I SAID THAT I WAS SEEING IF MY DRESS WAS
STRAIGHT IN THE BACK. I GOT SICK THAT NIGHT. MOTHER
SAID IT WAS THE EVIL EYES BECAUSE I WAS SHOWING OFF.
AN OLD LADY SAID PRAYERS OVER ME AND I GOT BETTER.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS UNSURE AS TO WHETHER THIS IS REALLY TRUE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses

Date learned: 02-06-1972

View just this record

BLACK AND DARK

ONCE THERE WAS A BLACK, DARK FOREST. IN THIS BLACK,
DARK FOREST WAS A BLACK, DARK HOUSE. IN THE
BLACK, DARK HOUSE WAS A BLACK, DARK ROOM. IN THE
BLACK, DARK ROOM WAS A BLACK, DARK TABLE. ON THIS
BLACK, DARK TABLE WAS A BLACK, DARK BOX. IN THIS
BLACK, DARK BOX WAS A BLACK, DARK GHOST!
THE STORY IS TOLD SLOWLY WITH "GHOST" YELLED OUT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale

Date learned: 07-00-1964

View just this record

WOMAN WITH THREE MEN

ONCE THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN WHO HAD A BROTHER,
A HUSBAND AND A SON WHO WERE REBELS,
WORKING AGINST THEIR GOVERNMENT.
IT SO HAPPENED THAT THE THREE MEN WERE ARRESTED
BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND THROWN INTO JAIL.
THE OLD WOMAN WHO WAS VERY DISTRESSED WENT TO THE OFFICIALS
TO PLEAD FOR THEIR RELEASE. THE OFFICIALS TOLD HER THAT THEY
WOULD RELEASE ONE OF THE THREE MEN. THE WOMAN WENT HOME TO
THINK THE MATTER OVER AND DECIDED THAT SHE COULD GET ANOTHER
HUSBAND AND HAVE ANOTHER SON, BUT COULD NEVER HAVE ANOTHER BROTHER.
SHE RETURNED TO THE OFFICIALS AND ASKED THEM TO RELEASE HER BROTHER,
TELLING THEM HER REASONS FOR HER DECISION. THE OFFICIALS WERE SO
IMPRESSED WITH HER LOGIC THAT THEY RELEASED ALL THREE.

Submitter comment: FOLLOWING STORY WAS TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HER GREAT-
AUNT, WHEN SHE WAS QUARRELING WITH HER BROTHER:
THE INFORMANT COMMENTED THAT MANY OF THE LEBANESE
TALES HAVE A WISE OLD WOMAN MAKE AN IMPORTANT DECISION.
THE INFORMANT COMMENTED THAT MANY OF THE LEBANESE TALES HAVE A WISE
OLD WOMAN MAKE AN IMPORTANT DECISION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic

Date learned: 03-02-1970

View just this record

LEBANESE EPIPHANY TALE

FIRST, THE TALE IS TOLD OF SHARIFA AND HER BROTHERS AND SISTERS
AND HER CRUEL STEPMOTHER. MOTHER WOULD FEED THEM GRUEL AND UNAPPETIZING FOOD,
PUT THEM TO BED EARLY AND PREPARE A RICH, GOOD FOOD FOR HERSELF AND HUSBAND.
ON EPIPHANY EVENING, AFTER THE CHILDREN WERE PUT TO BED, THE CRUEL STEPMOTHER
PREPARED THE TRADITIONAL PASTRY OF EPIPHANY OR "LITTLE CHRISTMAS" CALLED DYLABIA.
SHARIFA, THE OLDEST WAS AWAKENED BY THE FRAGRANT AROMA OF THE DONUT-LIKE PASTRY,
AND CALLED OUT THAT SHE WANTED SOME, OR SHE'D WAKE UP THE OTHER CHILDREN.
THE MOTHER WAS ANGRY AND GAVE HER A LITTLE TO SILENCE HER, AND FORCED HER BACK TO BED.
AGAIN SHE CALLED AND HER MOTHER TRIED TO SILENCE HER, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. THE OTHER CHILDREN
AWAKENED AND CLAMORED FOR DYLABIA. THE MOTHER GAVE THEM ALL SOME, BUT WAS VERY ANGRY WITH SHARIFA.
THE NEXT MORNING THE STEPMOTHER TOOK SHARIFA IN THE WOODS AND LEFT HER THERE. SHE WAS FRIGHTENED
AND SOUGHT SHELTER IN A TREE OVER A SPARKLING POND. ONE DAY A HANDSOME, YOUNG PRINCE CAME RIDING
THROUGH THE FOREST. HE SAW THE POND AND RODE OVER UNDER SHARIFA'S TREE TO WATER HIS HORSE.
WHEN THE HORSE BENT TO DRINK IT WAS FRIGHTENED BY SHARIFA'S REFLECTION IN THE POND, AND HE PULLED AWAY.
THINKING THIS STRANGE, THE PRINCE LOOKED IN THE WATER AND SAW SHARIFA WHO WAS VERY FRIGHTENED,
BUT VERY BEAUTIFUL. KINDLY, HE BESEECHED HER TO COME DOWN, BUT SHE REFUSED TO EVEN SPEAK.
THEN THE PRINCE HAD AN IDEA. HE RODE BACK TO THE PALACE AND TOLD AN OLD WISE WOMAN HIS PROBLEM
OF THE GIRL IN THE TREE. SHE TOLD HIM TO BRING HER 6 DOZEN EGGS, 2 GALLONS OF OIL AND A FRYING PAN.
THEY RETURNED TO THE FOREST AND THE OLD WOMAN BUILT A FIRE UNDER SHARIFA'S TREE AND BEGAN
PREPARING EGGS FOR DINNER. SHARIFA WATCHED AS SHE TURNED THE FRYING PAN UPSIDE DOWN,
POURED ON THE OIL AND BROKE THE EGGS, WITH THE EGGS AND OIL DRIPPING DOWN OVER THE PAN
AND INTO THE FIRE. SHARIFA WAS VERY HUNGRY. SHE CALLED DOWN FROM THE TREE TELLING THE
WOMAN TO TURN THE PAN RIGHT-SIDE-UP. THE WISE OLD WOMAN PRETENDED SHE COULDN'T HEAR HER.
FINALLY SHARIFA CLIMBED DOWN AND SHOWED THE OLD WOMAN WHAT TO DO. AT THAT MOMENT THE HANDSOME
PRINCE APPEARED. HE PROMISED TO BE GOOD TO HER AND TOOK HER AND THE OLD WOMAN BACK TO THE PALACE
WHERE THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

Submitter comment: FOLLOWING TALE IS TOLD ON THE FEAST OF EPIPHANY
(JAN. 6) DURING THE TAKING DOWN OF THE CHRISTMAS
TREE. THE SCENE IS RE-ENACTED BY THE CHILDREN IN
THE FAMILY.
AFTER THE TALE IS ENACTED BY THE CHILDREN, THEY EAT
THE PASTRY MOTHER HAS MADE.
SHARIFA DYLABIA

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic

Date learned: CA04001970

View just this record

GHOST STORY

TEXT KEYPUNCHED IN NOVEMBER, 1972--ALSO IN 5X8 FILE CABINET
TURKS AFTER THEY DIE RETURN TO HAUNT CHRISTIANS.
THERE WAS NOISE UNDER OUR HOUSE WHERE WE KEPT THE HORSES.
MY MOTHER WENT DOWN TO LOOK BUT SHE SAW NO ONE AND SHE LOCKED
THE DOOR. WHEN SHE WENT TO SEE THE HORSES IN THE MORNING,
SHE FOUND A DEAD TURK'S BODY. THEY ONLY LIVE AT NIGHT TO
HAUNT.

Submitter comment: ARMENIAN BELIEF THAT TURKISH GHOSTS HAUNT CHRISTIANS AT NIGHT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 09-19-1972

View just this record

THE BEAR MAN- A WEREBEAR STORY

THERE WAS A MAN IN A VILLAGE WHO EVERY NIGHT WOULD
CHANGE INTO A VICIOUS BEAR. HIS WIFE MARRIED HIM NOT
KNOWING HE WAS CURSED. WHEN HE WOULD FEEL HIS BLOOD
RUNNING VERY HOT, HE WOULD HAVE HIS WIFE LOCK HIM IN
A ROOM. HE TOLD HER THAT WHEN SHE SAW HAIRY HANDS
UNDERNEATH THE DOOR NOT TO LET HIM OUT. WHEN SHE
SAW CLEAN, SMOOTH HANDS SHE COULD OPEN THE DOOR.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT DID NOT BELIEVE THIS AT ALL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Werewolf Vampire

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

NOT GIVEN

THIS FELLA HAD A HOUNDDOG AND IT WAS USED TO RACCOON HUNT. THE
HIDE WOULD BE SAVED AND THE MEAT EATEN. THIS FELLA SAID HIS DOG
WAS UNBELIEVABLY GOOD. WHEN SOMEONE CAME TO VISIT HIM, HE'D
FIGURE OUT HOW MANY RACCOONS HE WOULD NEED TO FEED THEM. SO HE'D
TAKE THE DOG OUT TO THE SHED WHERE HE HAD ALL THESE RACCOON HIDES
HANGING UP. HE'D LOOK AT THEM, FIND THE ONE HE WANTED, CALL HIS
DOG OVER AND POINT TO THIS RACCOON SKIN. THE HOUND DOG WOULD RARE
UP AND HE'D SNIFF AND SNIFF THE HIDE, THEN TAKE OFF TO THE WOODS.
HE'D COME BACK WITH A RACCOON THE SAME EXACT SIZE OF THE HIDE THE
GUY POINTED TO. HE NEVER CAME BACK WITHOUT IT. THE GUY ALWAYS
KNEW THAT. THIS FELLA, HE SAID HE WAS SORRY 'CAUSE SOMEONE CAME
UP THERE ONE TIME WITH A RACCOON COAT ON. HE SAID HE WAS HOT AND
THE COAT WAS HEAVY SO HE HUNG IT UP THERE. THEN THAT HOUND DOG
UP AND SNIFFED THE COAT AND HE TOOK OFF. THE FELLA SAID, "I'D
NEVER SEE HIM 'CAUSE HE WON'T COME BACK WITHOUT IT."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quantity or weight Solid

Date learned: 02-07-1972

View just this record

NOT GIVEN

THERE'S THIS FELLA ALWAYS TELLING FALSE STORIES WHEN HE CAME INTO
TOWN. THIS FELLA LIVED THERE IN THE COMMUNITY AREA. THE FELLA
WAS TALKING ABOUT HUNTING OUT WEST. HE SAID THAT HE WAS SHOOTIN'
AT A MOUNTAIN GOAT. THEY WERE UP REAL HIGH. HE SAID HE SHOT THE
GOAT AND IT FELL DOWN INTO A KINGBERRY. WHEN IT DID FALL, IT FELL
RIGHT ON A BEAR. IT CHASED THE BEAR OUT OF THE KINGBERRY AND HE
SHOT AT IT TOO.

Submitter comment: A KINGBERY IS A HEAVILY DENSE THICKET WHERE A BEAR MIGHT SLEEP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale

Date learned: 02-07-1972

View just this record

NOT GIVEN

IN CANADA THERE'S A LAKE OVER THERE, YOU WOULD HAVE TO WALK A LONG
WAY TO GET THERE 'CAUSE THERE ARE NO ROADS. A LOT OF PEOPLE WENT
THERE 'CAUSE THE FISH WERE SO BIG. THIS FELLA SAID THE MOSQUITOS
WERE BIG, TOO; THEY WERE LIKE HORSEFLIES. THEN THIS FELLA WAS
TALKIN' ABOUT THE FISH THEY CAUGHT. HE SAID, "I DON'T LIKE TO
FISH IN THAT LAKE." SOMEONE ASKED, "WHY NOT?" THE FELLA SAID,
"YOU CAN'T KEEP THE BAIT. THE FISH COME AND STEAL YOUR BAIT.
YOU HAVE TO GO BEHIND A TREE OR SOMETHING TO BAIT YOUR HOOK."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale
BELIEF -- Animal

Date learned: 02-07-1972

View just this record

NOT GIVEN

THERE'S THIS GUY NAMED STADTON THAT DID A LOT OF HUNTING. HE WAS
HUNTING SQUIRRELS ONE EARLY MORNING ALONG BY A CORN FIELD. THERE
WAS A RAIL FENCE AT THE END OF THE FIELD WHERE THE SQUIRRELS
LIVED. THEY WOULD COME INTO THE CORN FIELD AND EAT THE CORN.
IT WAS BARELY DAYLIGHT AND THIS BEAR CAME ALONG. THAT BEAR WAS
PULLING OFF THOSE EARS OF CORN LIKE A MAN WOULD. HE GOT AN ARMFUL
OF THEM AND THEN WOULD GO DOWN TO A LOWER PLACE AND HEAVE THEM
INTO A BIG CYPRESS STUMP. STADTON SAID HE HAD TO GO DOWN THERE
AND SEE WHY THE BEAR WAS THROWING THEM IN THERE. STADTON WENT
AND HE SAID THE BEAR, HE HAD A HOG IN THAT THERE STUMP AND WAS
FATTENING HIM UP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale
Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 02-07-1972

View just this record

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