The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TALE WITH MORAL

GOOBERDINKS LIVE ON DINNER TABLES. THEY HAVE WHOLE CITIES BUT YOU
CAN'T SEE THEM. YOU CAN PUT DISHES ON THE TABLE AND SINCE THEY SEE
THEM COMING THEY MOVE OUT OF THE WAY--MOVING WHOLE CITIES. BUT THEY
DON'T SEE ELBOWS. IF YOU PUT YOUR ELBOWS ON THE TABLE YOU SMASH
WHOLE CITIES OF GOOBERDINKS. YOU REALIZE YOU HAVE YOUR ELBOWS ON THE
TABLE SO YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE GOOBERDINKS INTO YOUR CUPPED HANDS AND
RESUSCITATE THEM. THEN YOU BLOW THEM INTO THE KITCHEN WHERE THEY
LAND IN THE SUGAR BOWL AND REVIVE. THE MORAL IS--DON'T PUT YOUR
ELBOWS ON THE TABLE.

Submitter comment: MARIE FIRST HEARD THE STORY AT GIRL SCOUT CAMP LINDEN IN LINDEN,
MICHIGAN IN 1971. SHE SAID THAT WHEN YOU'RE AT CAMP LINDEN YOU
BELIEVE IN GOOBERDINKS. YOU TRY NOT TO PUT YOUR ELBOWS ON THE TABLE
AND IF YOU DO, YOU HAVE TO REVIVE THE GOOBERDINKS.
INVISIBLE BEINGS
FUNCTION

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Date learned: 00-00-1971