The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

STATUES

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE GAME, ONE PERSON IS CHOSEN TO BE A
CUSTOMER, WHO WANTS TO BUY A STATUE. ANOTHER PERSON IS CHOSEN
TO SELL THE STATUES. THE REMAINING PEOPLE WILL BE THE STATUES.
THE CUSTOMER MOVES OUT OF SIGHT AND HEARING DISTANCE. THE CLERK
THEN TAKES, ONE BY ONE, EACH PLAYER AND SPINS THEM BY THE ARM
CAUSING THEM TO FALL ON THE GROUND. WHATEVER POSITION THEY LAND
IN THEY MUST REMAIN THAT WAY. THE STATUE THEN WHISPERS TO THE
CLERK WHAT KIND OF ANIMAL THEY WANT TO BE. THE CUSTOMER THEN
ENTERS THE STORE AND MAY CHOOSE ANY STATUE HE LIKES. THE CLERK
WINDS UP THE STATUES INDIVIDUALLY, CAUSING THE STATUES TO ACT
OUT WHAT HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE. IF THE CUSTOMER CAN GUESS WHAT
THE STATUE IS, THEN HE MAY BUY THAT STATUE. THE STATUE HE SELECTS
BECOMES THE CUSTOMER IN THE NEXT GAME. THE CUSTOMER BECOMES THE
CLERK AND THE CLERK BECOMES A STATUE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights

Date learned: 00-00-1967