The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE RIBBON

THERE WERE TWO LITTLE CHILDREN, A LITTLE GIRL AND A
LITTLE BOY. AROUND THE GIRL'S NECK WAS A RIBBON. ONE
DAY THE LITTLE BOY ASKED THE LITTLE GIRL WHY SHE ALWAYS
WORE THE RIBBON. SHE SAID SHE WOULD TELL HIM IN THE
FIRST GRADE. BUT SHE NEVER TOLD HIM. THIS CONTINUED
FOR MANY YEARS. THE LITTLE GIRL NEVER TOLD THE
LITTLE BOY. ONE DAY, THEY GOT MARRIED AND HE ASKED
HER ON THEIR WEDDING DAY AND SHE STILL WOULDN'T
TELL HIM. ONE DAY, WHEN THEY WERE IN WHEELCHAIRS, THEY
WERE VISITING A CEMETERY, WHERE ONE OF THEIR FRIENDS
WAS BURIED. HE FINALLY COULDN'T WAIT ANY LONGER, SO
THE HUSBAND LEANED OVER THE PULLED THE RIBBON AND HER
HEAD CAME OFF AND ROLLED DOWN THE HILL.

Submitter comment: SHE HEARD THIS FROM A FRIEND WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-24-1967