The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE MOUSE AND THE GRASSHOPPER

THIS GUY CAME INTO THE BAR AND ASKED THE BARTENDER FOR
A DRINK. OF COURSE, THE BARTENDER REFUSED HIM UNTIL HE
SAW HIS MONEY, BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH
GUYS NOT PAYING FOR THEIR DRINKS. WELL, THE GUY SAID
THAT HE HAD A REAL GOOD TRICK HE'D SHOW HIM IF THE
BARTENDER WOULD GIVE HIM A DRINK. THE BARKEEP SAID THAT
HE WANTED TO SEE THE TRICK FIRST, BEFORE HE GAVE OUT
ANY DRINKS. SO THE GUY PULLED A LITTLE MOUSE AND A
GRASSHOPPER OUT OF THE BOX. HE SET THE GRASSHOPPER ON
THE PIANO STOOL AND THE MOUSE SAT NEXT TO HIM. THEN
THE GRASSHOPPER STARTED TO PLAY THE PIANO AND THE MOUSE
SANG ALONG WITH HIM. THE BARTENDER COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.
HE SUPPLIED THE GUY WITH THE BEST DRINKS IN THE HOUSE
FOR THE REST OF THE NIGHT. FINALLY, IT WAS CLOSING TIME
AND THE GUY HAD TO GO. THE BARTENDER TOLD HIM THAT WAS
THE GREATEST THING HE EVER SAW AND ANYTIME THAT GUY
WANTED TO BRING THAT ACT IN, THERE HE WOULD NEVER HAVE
TO BUY A DRINK. "NO," THE GUY SAID, "I CAN'T COME BACK
HERE AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU AGAIN. I'VE GOT A
CONFESSION TO MAKE. SEE THAT MOUSE--WELL, HE ISN'T
REALLY SINGING. THE GRASSHOPPER'S A VENTRILOQUIST."

Submitter comment: MY DAD HAD HEARD THE STORY IN AL'S BAR ON JOY ROAD AND
QUINCY IN ABOUT 1954.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1954