The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

WHAT'S ON THE MENU?

ONE DAY A WOMAN SENT HER SON TO THE STORE TO BUY SOME LIVER.
ON THE WAY TO THE STORE THE BOY PASSED A CEMETERY. HE REMEMBERED
SOMEONE IN TOWN HAD RECENTLY DIED, SO BEING A LAZY BOY, HE
DECIDED NOT TO GO TO THE STORE BUT TO DIG UP THE GRAVE AND TAKE
THE MAN'S LIVER OUT. AFTER ALL WHO WOULD KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?
HE TOOK THE LIVER HOME AND HIS MOTHER DIDN'T NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCE
IN THE LIVER. SHE PREPARED IT FOR SUPPER AND THEN THEY BOTH ATE IT.
THAT NIGHT WHEN THE BOY WENT TO SLEEP HE HEARD A VOICE, "I'M COMING
UP ONE STAIR. I'M COMING UP TWO STAIRES (SIC). WHERE'S MY LIVER?"
THE BOY
FROZE IN HIS BED. HE COULDN'T MOVE A MUSCLE. "I'M COMING UP THREE
STAIRS, I'M IN THE HALLWAY." "I'M OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR, I WANT
MY LIVER." "I'M IN YOUR BEDROOM," SUDDENLY THE VOICE YELLED,
"I GOT YOU."

Submitter comment: SHE HEARD THIS STORY WHEN SHE WAS SMALL AT CAMP.

Data entry tech comment: GRABBING GESTURE ACCOMPANIES END OF STORY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): JUMP STORY

Date learned: 10-20-1967