The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

WHENEVER I TOOK A BATH MY MOTHER HAD TO
PRACTICALLY BIND ME UP AND THROW ME INTO THE
BATHTUB. AFTER AN HOUR OR SO HAD PASSED AND AFTER
NUMEROUS BATTLES WITH MY SHIPS, MY MOTHER WOULD
ENTER THE BATHROOM AND TELL ME THAT IF I DIDN'T
GET OUT SOON I WOULD TURN INTO A PRUNE.
IT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH CONVINCING ON HER PART
BECAUSE AFTER TAKING ONE LOOK AT MY SHRIVELED
FINGERS, I QUICKLY JUMPED OUT OF THE TUB. THIS WENT
FOR A COUPLE OF TUB SESSIONS UNTIL I FINALLY LEARNED
THAT THE WATER JUST MADE MY FINGERS THAT WAY AND
WOULD NOT TURN MY WHOLE BODY INTO A PRUNE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1969