Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ANN ARBOR returned 124 results.
TRADITIONAL JEWISH STORY
WHILE VISITING MY BROTHER IN AN ANN ARBOR HOSPITAL, I
WAS INTRODUCED TO THE INFORMANT, WHOM MY BROTHER REFERRED
TO AS THE "RABBI." HE WAS UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE OF A NECK
BRACE, BUT WHEN MY BROTHER SUGGESTED HIM AS A SOURCE OF
TALES HE BRIGHTENED UP CONSIDERABLY.
DAVID HAD A WIFE AND THREE DAUGHTERS. (THE INFORMANT DID
NOT KNOW WHY, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS THREE DAUGHTERS). DAVID
HAD A DIFFICULT TIME MAKING ENDS MEET AND ACQUIRED A
REPUTATION FOR BEING HONEST BUT POOR AND UNRELIABLE. ONE
DAY, DISGUSTED WITH THE SIZE OF THE MILK BILL, HE DECIDED
TO BUY A COW. WITH THE SURPLUS MILK HE STARTED TO
ESTABLISH REGULAR CUSTOMERS. THEN HE BOUGHT A HORSE AND
WAGON TO DELIVER THE MILK. THEN HE PURCHASED ANOTHER COW
AND SO ON, UNTIL HE HAD A THRIVING BUSINESS. HE BECAME
QUITE PROSPEROUS. HIS NEIGHBORS BECAME ENVIOUS OF HIM
AND REPORTED HIM TO THE TOWN OFFICIALS. THE MAYOR HIMSELF
WANTED TO MEET HIM AND INTERROGATE HIM ABOUT HIS BUSINESS
WHICH SOME HAD SUGGESTED MUST BE EITHER IMMORAL OR ILLEGAL.
THE MAYOR DUYRING THE INTERVIEW REVIEWED THE CHANGES IN
DAVID'S FORTUNES AND ASKED HIM ABOUT IT. DAVID REPLIED,
"I SAY MY MORNING PRAYERS."
THE MAYOR DISMISSED THE CASE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT APOLOGIZED BECAUSE THE STORY SUFFERS IN
TRANSLATION FROM THE YIDDISH OF HIS GRANDPARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 02-24-1967
TRADITIONAL JEWISH STORY
THE INFORMANT, A PATIENT IN THE HOSPITAL WITH MY
BROTHER, REALTED TWO OR THRE E STORIES OF DAVID AND HIS
THREE DAUGHTERS. ALL OF WHICH LOST SOMETHING IN THE
TRANSLATION FROM THE YIDDISH.
IT SEEMS DAVID, HIS WIFE, AND HIS THREE DAUGHTERS
PACKED UP ALL THEIR POSSESSIONS AND TOOK A LONG TRIP
IN A WAGON TO THEIR NEW HOME. WHENEVER DAVID CAME TO
A NEW TOWN HE PRAYED THAT HE AND HIS FAMILY WOULD
SURVIVE. WHEN HE CAME TO A ROUGH STRETCH OF ROAD, HE
PRAYED THAT THEY WOULD COVER THE DISTANCE WITHOUT
ACCIDENT. AS HE CAME TO PLACES WHERE HIGHWAYMEN COULD
LURK, TO PREY UPON THEM, HE WOULD ASK THE LORD, "DO
I HAVE TO PRAY AGAIN?"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 02-24-1967
THERE IS ANOTHER LEGEND IN EL SALVADOR CALLED THE "LOUD
OX-CART." IT SCREECHES WHEN IT APPEARS AT FOUR OR FIVE IN THE
MORNING. IF YOU OPEN THE DOOR AND LOOK, YOU WILL DISAPPEAR.
THE MAN DRIVING THE OX-CART IS THE DEVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAN SALVADOR, ASSUMED ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
JAPANESE FAIRY TALE
ONE DAY LONG AGO, A HUNTER SHOT A CRANE. IT WAS TOO
BEAUTIFUL TO LET DIE, SO THE HUNTER CURED THE WOUND
WHICH WAS IN THE CRANE'S LEG. A FEW DAYS LATER, A
BEAUTIFUL GIRL APPEARED. THE HUNTER AND THE GIRL GOT
MARRIED.
THE HUNTER BEGAN WEAVING SOME CLOTH. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL AND
UNIQUE, BUT AS HE WOVE, HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE GREW SMALLER.
ONE NIGHT HE LOOKED THROUGH THE KEY HOLE, AND HE SAW HIS
WIFE AS A CRANE, THE CRANE HE HAD SHOT. AS HE WATCHED, THE
CRANE WAS PULLING OUT ITS FEATHERS TO PROVIDE MATERIAL FOR
HIS WEAVING, SO THAT HIS TAPESTRY COULD GROW AND HE COULD
BECOME RICH--WHICH IS WHAT HE WANTED TO DO. SHE KEPT
GROWING SMALLER AND SMALLER.
SHE WAS SO ASHAMED TO HAVE HIM SEE HER AS A CRANE THAT SHE
CAME TO HIM AND SAID IT WAS TIME FOR THEM TO SEPARATE.
SHE TURNED INTO A CRANE AGAIN, AND FLEW AWAY.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY TELLS SOMETHING ABOUT THE NATURE OF MARRIAGE
IN JAPAN. IT SHOWS THAT THE WIFE IS TOTALLY SELF
SACRIFICING TO THE HUSBAND; AND THAT THE WOMAN DOES NOT
LIKE TO SHOW HER REAL SELF, BUT PREFERS TO PRESENT AN
ARTIFICIAL SIDE OR FACE TO HER HUSBAND.
James Callow comment: SEE SEKI NO. 25 FOR ANOTHER VARIANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
TRADITIONAL JEWISH STORY
WHILE VISITING MY BROTHER IN AN ANN ARBOR HOSPITAL, I
WAS INTRODUCED TO THE INFORMANT, WHOM MY BROTHER REFERRED
TO AS THE "RABBI." HE WAS UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE OF A NECK
BRACE, BUT WHEN MY BROTHER SUGGESTED HIM AS A SOURCE OF
TALES HE BRIGHTENED UP CONSIDERABLY.
DAVID HAD A WIFE AND THREE DAUGHTERS. (THE INFORMANT DID
NOT KNOW WHY, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS THREE DAUGHTERS). DAVID
HAD A DIFFICULT TIME MAKING ENDS MEET AND ACQUIRED A
REPUTATION FOR BEING HONEST BUT POOR AND UNRELIABLE. ONE
DAY, DISGUSTED WITH THE SIZE OF THE MILK BILL, HE DECIDED
TO BUY A COW. WITH THE SURPLUS MILK HE STARTED TO
ESTABLISH REGULAR CUSTOMERS. THEN HE BOUGHT A HORSE AND
WAGON TO DELIVER THE MILK. THEN HE PURCHASED ANOTHER COW
AND SO ON, UNTIL HE HAD A THRIVING BUSINESS. HE BECAME
QUITE PROSPEROUS. HIS NEIGHBORS BECAME ENVIOUS OF HIM
AND REPORTED HIM TO THE TOWN OFFICIALS. THE MAYOR HIMSELF
WANTED TO MEET HIM AND INTERROGATE HIM ABOUT HIS BUSINESS
WHICH SOME HAD SUGGESTED MUST BE EITHER IMMORAL OR ILLEGAL.
THE MAYOR DUYRING THE INTERVIEW REVIEWED THE CHANGES IN
DAVID'S FORTUNES AND ASKED HIM ABOUT IT. DAVID REPLIED,
"I SAY MY MORNING PRAYERS."
THE MAYOR DISMISSED THE CASE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT APOLOGIZED BECAUSE THE STORY SUFFERS IN
TRANSLATION FROM THE YIDDISH OF HIS GRANDPARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 02-24-1967
TRADITIONAL JEWISH STORY
THE INFORMANT, A PATIENT IN THE HOSPITAL WITH MY
BROTHER, REALTED TWO OR THRE E STORIES OF DAVID AND HIS
THREE DAUGHTERS. ALL OF WHICH LOST SOMETHING IN THE
TRANSLATION FROM THE YIDDISH.
IT SEEMS DAVID, HIS WIFE, AND HIS THREE DAUGHTERS
PACKED UP ALL THEIR POSSESSIONS AND TOOK A LONG TRIP
IN A WAGON TO THEIR NEW HOME. WHENEVER DAVID CAME TO
A NEW TOWN HE PRAYED THAT HE AND HIS FAMILY WOULD
SURVIVE. WHEN HE CAME TO A ROUGH STRETCH OF ROAD, HE
PRAYED THAT THEY WOULD COVER THE DISTANCE WITHOUT
ACCIDENT. AS HE CAME TO PLACES WHERE HIGHWAYMEN COULD
LURK, TO PREY UPON THEM, HE WOULD ASK THE LORD, "DO
I HAVE TO PRAY AGAIN?"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 02-24-1967
THERE IS ANOTHER LEGEND IN EL SALVADOR CALLED THE "LOUD
OX-CART." IT SCREECHES WHEN IT APPEARS AT FOUR OR FIVE IN THE
MORNING. IF YOU OPEN THE DOOR AND LOOK, YOU WILL DISAPPEAR.
THE MAN DRIVING THE OX-CART IS THE DEVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAN SALVADOR, ASSUMED ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
JAPANESE FAIRY TALE
ONE DAY LONG AGO, A HUNTER SHOT A CRANE. IT WAS TOO
BEAUTIFUL TO LET DIE, SO THE HUNTER CURED THE WOUND
WHICH WAS IN THE CRANE'S LEG. A FEW DAYS LATER, A
BEAUTIFUL GIRL APPEARED. THE HUNTER AND THE GIRL GOT
MARRIED.
THE HUNTER BEGAN WEAVING SOME CLOTH. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL AND
UNIQUE, BUT AS HE WOVE, HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE GREW SMALLER.
ONE NIGHT HE LOOKED THROUGH THE KEY HOLE, AND HE SAW HIS
WIFE AS A CRANE, THE CRANE HE HAD SHOT. AS HE WATCHED, THE
CRANE WAS PULLING OUT ITS FEATHERS TO PROVIDE MATERIAL FOR
HIS WEAVING, SO THAT HIS TAPESTRY COULD GROW AND HE COULD
BECOME RICH--WHICH IS WHAT HE WANTED TO DO. SHE KEPT
GROWING SMALLER AND SMALLER.
SHE WAS SO ASHAMED TO HAVE HIM SEE HER AS A CRANE THAT SHE
CAME TO HIM AND SAID IT WAS TIME FOR THEM TO SEPARATE.
SHE TURNED INTO A CRANE AGAIN, AND FLEW AWAY.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY TELLS SOMETHING ABOUT THE NATURE OF MARRIAGE
IN JAPAN. IT SHOWS THAT THE WIFE IS TOTALLY SELF
SACRIFICING TO THE HUSBAND; AND THAT THE WOMAN DOES NOT
LIKE TO SHOW HER REAL SELF, BUT PREFERS TO PRESENT AN
ARTIFICIAL SIDE OR FACE TO HER HUSBAND.
James Callow comment: SEE SEKI NO. 25 FOR ANOTHER VARIANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
TRUTH
THIS IS TRUE,
THIS IS NOT A FALSEHOOD,
THIS IS A TRUISM.
Submitter comment: A SAYING ON CAMPUS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 09-20-1967
WEAR IT OUT - DO WITHOUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
PROVERB
"YOU CAN'T HANG ANY FLIES ON HIM," MEANS YOU CAN'T FOOL HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
IF YOU TELL A LIE WITH YOUR FINGERS CROSSED, IT IS NOT
A LIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Date learned: 03-10-1970
JEWISH NARRATIVE: CEMETERY
FOUR MEN WERE BOASTING ABOUT THEIR BRAVERY. THEY FINALLY DECIDED
THAT A FAIR TEST WOULD BE A SOLO TRIP THROUGH THE CEMETERY. TO
PROVE THAT THEY HAD TRAVERSED THE ENTIRE ROUTE THEY WERE TO POUND
STAKES INTO THE GROUND PERIODICALLY. THREE OF THE MEN ENTERED THE
CEMETERY AND MET ON THE OTHER SIDE PROUND OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT.
THE FOURTH NEVER RETURNED.
THE NEXT DAY THE THREE WENT IN SEARCH OF HIM AND FOUND HIM DEAD OF
A HEART ATTACK. HE HAD POUNDED A STAKE INTO THE GROUND AND HAD
INADVERTANTLY PINNED THE TAIL OF HIS COAT TO THE GROUND.
APPARENTLY AS HE GOT UP TO COMPLETE HIS JOURNEY, HE WAS
IMMOBILIZED FROM BEHIND BY THE STAKE AND HE SUFFERED A HEART
ATTACK FROM HIS PANIC.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT RELATED THIS STORY AS ONE THAT EVERY JEWISH BOY
LEARNS ABOUT FALSE BRAVERY AND RESPECT FOR THE DEAD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; CEMETERY ; Fable ; Jewish ; Tale
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
CARROT BELIEF
IF YOU EAT CARROTS, YOUR EYES WILL SPARKLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption BELIEF -- Body part Senses Eyes, evil eye BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
TO BECOME A WEREWOLF
TAKE AN IRON COOKING POT INTO WHICH MUST BE DUMPED WATER, PARSLEY,
OPIUM, AND SAFFRON. YOU DO NOT EAT IT, IT IS TO ATTACK THE DEVIL.
RUB YOUR BODY WITH FAT OF A FRESHLY KILLED CAT AND PUT ON A
WOLF'S SKIN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): DEVIL ; Legend ; MYTH ; SUPERNATURAL ; Werewolf
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFORMATION
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable Food Drink -- Flavoring Spice BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
MAGIC
IN CHINA, A WOMAN CALLED 'OOPOH' IS CONSIDERED A "MAGICAL WOMAN."
SHE CAN PREDICT THE FUTURE, WORK SPELLS, PERFORM MAGIC.
IF A MAN DIES AWAY FROM HOME, HIS SPIRIT CAN BE BROUGHT HOME BY THE
WIZARD (OOPOH), AND HIS FAMILY CAN SEE THAT IT IS INTERRED.
THE BODY IS NOT TRANSFERRED--JUST THE SPIRIT. AND ONLY
THE SPIRIT OF A GOOD MAN CAN BE BROUGHT HOME FOR BURIAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
| Subject headings: | 646 800 820 840 BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
BLASON POPULAIRE
REGARDING THE COMELINESS OF THE COEDS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
IT IS COMMON BELIEF THAT NINE OUT OF TEN GIRLS ARE BEAUTIFUL
AND THE TENTH GOES TO MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
James Callow Keyword(s): EDUCATION ; IRONY ; OBSERVATION ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | 686 686.1 686 686.1.9 PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
SPIRITS
THIS IS A BELIEF IN INDIA. "GOOD SPIRITS WANDER AROUND
ETERNALLY SOMETIMES, DOING GOOD WORKS."
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; India ; SPIRIT ; Undead
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
MAGIC RING
THERE IS A RING--SET ON A TABLE-- THAT ATTRACTS SOULS.
IT IS LIKE WHAT
YOU CALL AN ANTENNA. THE SOULS THAT IT ATTRACTS POSSESS THE BODY
OF A LIVING PERSON. THIS IS VERY
DANGEROUS IF NOT USED PROPERLY, AND IF
USED BY A WEAK MEDIUM.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A BELIEF IN INDIA.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; India ; MAGIC ; RING ; Soul ; SPIRIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
SPIRITS
ALL SOULS WANDER AFTER DEATH, INCLUDING ANIMAL SOULS.
THEY WANDER IF THEY HAD AN UNHAPPY LIFE, OR IF THEY WERE UNSATISFIED
BEFORE THEY DIED. THEY KEEP SEARCHING FOR PEACE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A BELIEF IN INDIA.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; India ; Soul ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION ; Undead
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 02-04-1968