The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY

THE STORY OF THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY ORIGINATED DURING THE 100
YEARS WAR OF THE TURKS AND HUNGARIANS. A LITTLE BOY WANTED TO
BE A DRUMMER BUT HE WASN'T ALLOWED TO BE. ONE NIGHT HE WENT OUT
AND STARTED TO BEAT ON HIS DRUM. IT JUST HAPPENED THAT THIS WAS THE
SAME NIGHT THE TURKS HAD PLANNED TO ATTACK A
HUNGARIAN HAMLET. THE DRUM AROUSED THE PEOPLE IN TIME FOR THEM
TO NOTICE THE INVASION AND PUT UP A DEFENSE WHICH STARVED (SIC) OFF
THE ATTACK.

Submitter comment: HANK LEARNED AS A CHILD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Date learned: 12-01-1967