The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE PROUD ONE

ONCE THERE WAS A VERY RICH LADY. SHE HAD SERVANTS,
MAIDS, AND A NURSEMAID FOR HER BABY. ONE DAY, THE
NURSEMAID HAD TO GO SHOPPING, AND THE LADY HAD TO CHANGE
THE BABY'S DIAPER. THE LADY HATED TO DO THAT, BECAUSE
IT WAS DISTASTEFUL TO HER (ONA SIE BRZYDZILA), BUT SHE
HAD TO DO IT BECAUSE THE NURSEMAID WAS NOT THERE.
WHILE SHE WAS WIPING THE BABY'S BOTTOM, SHE GOT SOME
"DIRT" ON HER FINGER. THEN SHE BEGAN TO SCREAM AND
CALL FOR HER MANSERVANT, "COME, QUICK, AND BRING
YOUR AX AND CUT THIS FINGER OFF, BECAUSE I CAN'T
STAND TO LOOK AT IT!" BUT HE KNEW THE LADY WELL,
SO HE TOLD HER TO PUT HER FINGER ON THE "KLOCEK"
(BLOCK) AND HE JUST HIT IT WITH THE DULL SIDE OF THE
AX. THE LADY, FROM PAIN, PUT THE WHOLE FINGER IN
HER MOUTH AND THE MANSERVANT LAUGHED, SAYING, "WHAT
A LADY!"

Submitter comment: THIS HAS BEEN TRANSLATED FROM THE POLISH LANGUAGE.
I HEARD THE STORY ORIGINALLY WHEN I WAS ABOUT 15,
AND THEN AGAIN MORE RECENTLY FROM THE INFORMANT
(A RELATIVE) WHO ASKED THAT I DON'T USE HIS NAME..

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION

Date learned: 05-00-1965