The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE HAIRY HAND

ONCE THERE WAS A YOUNG GIRL WHO WAS WANDERING AROUND
OUTSIDE WHEN SHE FELL INTO A DEEP HOLE. HELPLESS AND
AFRAID, SHE CRIED FOR HELP. A WITCH APPEARED AND PROMISED
TO HELP IF THE GIRL WOULD EAT A HAIRY HAND.
THE WITCH LEFT AND THE GIRL HID THE HAND UNDER A ROCK.
WHEN THE WITCH RETURNED AND ASKED IF THE GIRL HAD EATEN
THE HAND, SHE REPLIED THAT SHE HAD. BUT THE WITCH CALLED
FOR THE HAND AND THE HAND TOLD THE WITCH WHERE IT WAS
HIDDEN. THIS CONTINUED A FEW MORE TIMES UNTIL THE GIRL
HID THE HAND AGAINST HER STOMACH, INSIDE OF HER CLOTHES.
WHEN THE WITCH RETURNED AND CALLED FOR THE HAIRY HAND,
IT ANSWERED THAT IT WAS IN THE GIRL'S STOMACH. THINKING
THAT THE GIRL HAD EATEN THE HAND, THE WITCH FREED HER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM