The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MY GRANDMA TOLD ME ABOUT THE SUPERSTITION ABOUT
HANGING A RED RIBBON ON A PRETTY BABY'S CRIB
TO WARD OFF BAD SPIRITS. RED IS SUPPOSED
TO KEEP THE DEVIL AWAY.
MY GRANDMA TOLD ME THIS STORY:
WHEN HER SISTER WAS BORN A FRIEND
OF THEIR MOTHER'S WOULD COME TO
THEIR HOUSE AND THE BABY, SHIRLEY, WOULD
SCREAM, OTHERWISE SHE WAS A GOOD BABY.
FINALLY ANOTHER FRIEND OF THEIR MOTHER'S
CAME TO THE HOUSE AND LOOKED AT SHIRLEY
AND TOLD THEM THAT SHE HAD KNOBS ON
THE BACK OF HER HEAD WITH FUZZIES
ON THEM. THIS LADY TOLD THEM TO
CUT OFF THE FUZZIES AND BURY THEM
ONE BY ONE AND PRAY.
WHEN ALL THE FUZZIES WERE CUT OFF
SHIRLEY WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THE LADY
FRIEND WHO HAD HELPED TOLD THEM THAT
SHIRLEY HAD BEEN BEWITCHED BY THE MOTHER'S FRIEND.
SHE TOLD THEM TO PUT A RED RIBBON ON
SHIRLEY TO KEEP HER SAFE FROM THE DEVIL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00001920CA