The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HOW THE GREAT LAKES WERE FORMED

JOHN BUNYAN, PAUL BUNYAN'S BROTHER, DECIDED ONE DAY TO BUILD A
LONG, LONG LADDER TO REACH UP TO HEAVEN. HE BUILT THE LADDER
OUT OF FIR TREES AND USED THE BRANCHES FOR RUNGS. HE STARTED
CLIMBING ONE DAY, AND HE CLIMBED AND CLIMBED AND CLIMBED. THEN
HE GOT SO DIZZY FAR ABOVE THE GROUND THAT HE FELL. JOHN BUNYAN
BOUNCED IN FIVE PLACES, MAKING FIVE DEEP HOLES IN THE EARTH.
AFTER THE GLACIAL AGE THE WATER FILLED IN THE HOLES AND FORMED THE
GREAT LAKES. AS THE LADDER FELL, IT ENDED UP IN A STRAIGHT LINE,
AND BECAME THE TRACKS OF THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 02-26-1982