The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

A STORY ABOUT A MARRIED COUPLE

THERE WAS A YOUNG MARRIED COUPLE WHO DROVE DOWNTOWN
TOGETHER TO WORK EVERY MORNING. SOMETIMES THE HUSBAND
WOULD DROP THE WIFE OFF AND TAKE THE CAR. AT OTHER
TIMES, THE HUSBAND WOULD ALLOW THE WIFE TO TAKE THE
CAR AND PARK IT. EVERY AFTERNOON AT FIVE O'CLOCK, THE
ONE WHO DIDN'T TAKE THE CAR WOULD MEET THE OTHER ON A
PARTICULAR CORNER.
ONE MORNING, THE HUSBAND KISSED HIS WIFE GOOD-BYE AND
SLID OUT FROM UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL, AND WENT ON TO
WORK. AT FIVE O'CLOCK PROMPTLY HE ARRIVED ON THE
APPOINTED CORNER TO WAIT FOR HIS WIFE AND THE CAR.
HE HAPPENED TO TURN AROUND AND SEE HIS WIFE STANDING ON
THE CORNER TOO. WITH A BIT OF SURPRISE HE SAID, "WHAT
ARE YOU DOING HERE?" SHE, IN TURN, SAID, "WELL, I
THOUGHT THAT YOU HAD THE CAR." WITH THAT, THEY HASTILY
RETURNED TO THE CORNER WHERE THEY USUALLY DROPPED EACH
OTHER OFF, AND THERE, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, WAS
THE CAR--JUST AS THEY HAD LEFT IT.

Where learned: GERMANY

Date learned: 00-00-1957