The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

TOWN STORY

THIS INFORMANT SAID THAT IN HIS HOME TOWN, THEY OFTEN
TELL THE STORY OF A LITTLE BOY WHO WENT UP TO THE
TOP OF A MOUNTAIN TO GET SOME FIRE. THE WISE MAN
AT THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN ONLY LAUGHED AND SAID
THAT THE LITTLE BOY HAD NO WAY OF CARRYING IT. THE
BOY SAID YES THAT HE DID HAVE A METHOD. THE MAN
THEN VOLUNTEERED THE FIRE, THINKING THAT THE BOY WAS
STUPID. THE BOY THEN PUT SOME COLD ASHES IN HIS HAND
AND THEN HAD THE OLD MAN LAY THE HOT ASHES ON TOP.
THE MORAL IS THAT YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 03-15-1967