The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

DESERTED CHILD

THERE WAS A PREGNANT WOMAN. WHEN THE BABY WAS BORN HER HUSBAND
DIED. SHE BLAMED THE BABY AND LOCKED HIM UP IN THE ATTIC. THE
CHILD WAS ALWAYS BY THE WINDOW AND USED TO WATCH THE FIRE-ENGINES
PASS BY. THE WOMAN NEVER OPENED THE DOOR TO THE ATTIC AND EVEN
FED HIM THROUGH THE DOOR. ONE DAY THE WOMAN HAD COMPANY AND
FORGOT TO LOCK THE DOOR. THE BOY WAS TWELVE YEARS OLD AT THIS
TIME AND HE ESCAPED FROM THE ATTIC AND HOPPED DOWN THE STREET
LIKE A KANGAROO AND SCREAMED WRRRRRRR... JUST LIKE A FIRE-ENGINE.
THIS IS TRUE.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM A GIRLFRIEND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

Keyword(s): STRANGE CHILDREN

James Callow Keyword(s): INTERNMENT CONFINEMENT ; ISOLATION ; SOLITUDE

Date learned: 08-00-1964