The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE GOLDEN ARM

THERE ONCE WAS A RICH MAN AND HE HAD EVERYTHING HE
DESIRED IN LIFE BUT A WIFE. HE HUNTED AROUND THE WHOLE
WORLD AND FINALLY FOUND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN. THEY
GOT MARRIED. ONE DAY HIS WIFE HAD AN AWFUL CAR ACCIDENT
WHICH CAUSED HER TO LOSE AN ARM SO THE RICH MAN BOUGHT
HER AN ARM OF GOLD. SIX MONTHS LATER, SHE DIED. THE DAY
AFTER THE FUNERAL THE RICH MAN WENT OUT TO HIS WIFE'S
GRAVE AND DUG UP THE GOLDEN ARM. HE PUT IT IN HIS BEDROOM
UNDER THE PILLOW. THAT NIGHT, THE GHOST OF HIS WIFE CAME
INTO HIS ROOM. THE RICH MAN ASKED, "WHERE IS YOUR HAIR OF
YELLOW? WHERE ARE YOUR EYES OF BLUE? WHERE ARE YOUR LIPS
OF RED? AND WHERE IS YOUR GOLDEN ARM?"
AT THIS POINT IN THE STORY, THE STORYTELLER REACHES OUT
AND GRABS THE PERSON HE'S TELLING THE STORY TO AND SHOUTS
"YOU GOT IT!"

Submitter comment: THE LISTENER IS SUPPOSED TO BE STARTLED BY THIS AND JUMP
AT THE ENDING.
LAURIE LEARNED THIS STORY AT GIRLSCOUT CAMP WHILE
SITTING AROUND A CRACKLING FIRE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS