The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

ONCE THERE WAS A SMALL VILLAGE IN THE MOUNTAINS ABOVE A VALLEY. IN
THE VILLAGE THERE LIVED A FAMILY WITH A SCHOOL-AGED CHILD NAMED
SANJAY. EACH DAY DURING CROP SEASON THE FAMILIES THAT LIVED IN THE
VILLAGE WOULD GO DOWN THE MOUNTAIN TO THE VALLEY TO WORK WITH THE
CROPS. SANJAY DIDN'T LIKE GETTING UP IN THE MORNING TO WORK THE
CROPS, SO HE WOULD WAIT UNTIL MOST OF THE FAMILIES WERE DOWN THE
MOUNTAIN. THEN HE WOULD YELL "FIRE! FIRE!" AND ALL THE FAMILIES
WOULD RUSH BACK TO THE VILLAGE AND THE DAY OF WORK WOULD BE LOST.
ONE DAY THERE WAS A REAL FIRE. WHEN SANJAY YELLED "FIRE! FIRE!"
NO ONE CAME UP THE MOUNTAIN. THE VILLAGE BURNED DOWN AND SANJAY
DIED IN THE FIRE.

Submitter comment: STORY WAS LEARNED IN GRADE SCHOOL. THE NAME OF THE BOY COULD
BE CHANGED TO FIT THE CLASS IN SCHOOL.

James Callow comment: LIKE THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Date learned: 00-00-1969