The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

"TEMU DALA"

TU TU MYSKA ZROBILA JAYKO
(HERE A LITTLE MOUSE LAID AN EGG)
GROWN-UP PUTS HIS INDEX FINGER IN THE PALM OF A BABY'S HAND. MM
TEMU DALA
(GAVE SOME TO HIM)
GROWN-UP SAYS THIS FOUR TIMES, ONCE ON EACH OF THE BABY'S FOUR
FINGERS. MM
TEMI NIC NIE DALA
(THIS ONE GOT NOTHING)
THE GROWN-UP SAYS THIS WHILE HOLDING THE BABY'S THUMB MM
POSIED, POSIED, POSIED
(HE WENT, WENT, WENT)
THE GROWN-UP'S HAND CRAWLS UP THE BABY'S ARM MM
A TEMI TEPEK URWALA
( AND PULLED OFF ITS HEAD)
THE GROWN-UP TICKLES THE BABY

Submitter comment: EVERY BABY THAT HAS COME IN CONTACT WITH MY FAMILY HAS PLAYED
THIS GAME. FURTHERMORE, EVERY BABY, INCLUDING MYSELF, ENJOYED
THE GAME. THOUGH I'M CONVINCED THE GROWN-UPS ENJOY IT MORE.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: CA00001890S ; 01-13-1980