The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE COCK ROACH

ONE DAY A MAN AND HIS LITTLE SON WERE WALKING IN THE COUNTRY
WHEN THE LITTLE BOY SAW A BUTTERFLY. HE CAUGHT IT AND
STARTED TO TORTURE IT AND FINALLY HE KILLED IT. THE
FATHER WAS SHOCKED AND TOLD THE BOY THAT HE COULD NOT
HAVE ANY BUTTER FOR A WHOLE MONTH BECAUSE HE DID THIS.
A LITTLE WHILE LATER, WHILE THEY WERE STILL WALKING,
THE BOY SAW A BEE. HE CAPTURED IT, TORTURED IT, AND
FINALLY HE KILLED IT. THE FATHER WAS SHOCKED, SO
HE TOLD THE BOY THAT HE COULD NOT HAVE ANY HONEY FOR A
MONTH. WHEN THEY GOT HOME, THEY SAT DOWN FOR SUPPER.
THERE WERE THREE OF THEM, THE MOTHER, THE FATHER AND
THE SON. THE MOTHER SAW A COCKROACH RUNNING ACROSS
THE FLOOR AND SHE JUMPED UP AND STAMPED ON IT. THE
LITTLE BOY WAS SHOCKED. HE SAID, "YOU CAN'T HAVE ANY
COCK FOR A WHOLE MONTH."

Submitter comment: INFORMANT STATED THAT HE HEARD THE JOKE ABOUT IN
JANUARY OF 1965.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 03-00-1965