The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

KISSING GAME

INFORMATION GIVEN IS IN COLLECTOR'S WORDS. SIX TO SEVEN GIRLS AGES
7-12, SIT THEMSELVES ON A PORCH-STEP, CURB, PARK BENCH OR ANYTHING
AVAILABLE. THE GIRLS ARE THE "DAUGHTERS" OF ANOTHER PLAYER, WHO IS
USUALLY OLDER AND PLAYS THE MOTHER. THE GIRLS SIT ON THE BENCH AND
THE MOTHER SWEEPS OR "CLEANS HOUSE" SUDDENLY ANOTHER PLAYER
(USUALLY A BOY ARRIVES WISHING TO SPEAK TO THE MOTHER AND SAYS
THE KING WANTS TO KNOW HOW MANY DAUGHTERS THE LADY OF THE HOUSE HAS.
THE MOTHER SAYS IT'S NONE OF THE KING'S BUSINESS AND
TO GO AWAY. THE PLAYER LEAVES AND SOON RETURNS WITH THE KING (A MALE
BETWEEN 11-12). THE MOTHER TAKES A DIFFERENT TONE AND SAYS: BEHOLD
MY DAUGHTERS. PICK YOUR FAVORITE. THE KING RESPONDS BY SAYING IN SPA MMNISH
NISH: NO LA ESCOJO POR BONITA NI TAMPOCO POR MUJER, LO QUE QUIERO ES
UNA ROSA ACABADA DE NACER. TRANSLATED IT MEANS: I'M NOT LOOKING FOR A
BEAUTY NOR A WIFE, I'M LOOKING FOR INNOCENCE THE KING THEN PICKS
GIRL AND THEY GO OFF AND KISS. THE GAME CONTINUES UNTIL ALL THE DAUGH
TERS ARE SELECTED, OFTEN THE GAME CONTINUES UNTIL THE KING GETS TIRED
OUT.
DAUGHTERS
PLAYED

Submitter comment: THIS INFORMATION WAS GIVEN TO ME BY MY MOTHER; IT WAS A GAME SHE PLA
YED AS A GIRL IN SABINAS, HIDALGO MEXICO. THE INFORMANT GAVE ME THE
WHOLE STORY IN SPANISH. WHEN QUESTIONED THE INFORMANT GAVE ME THE WHO
LE STORY IN SPANISH. WHEN QUESTIONED THE INFORMANT REFUSED TO ANSWER
WETHER SHE MET THE COLLECTORS FATHER THAT WAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-00-1981