The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

AN OLD JEWISH STOREKEEPER IS TAKING HIS SON INTO THE
FAMILY BUSINESS, HE WANTS TO TEACH HIM NOT TO
TRUST ANYONE, SO THE FATHER TELLS THE SON TO GET THE
LADDER AND CLIMB UP TO THE TOP SHELVES
AND STOCK THE NEW MERCHANDISE. THE SON CLIMBS UP TO THE TOP
SHELVES AND IS BUSILY STOCKING THE MERCHANDISE, HIS FATHER
TAKES THE LADDER AWAY.
"PAPA," THE BOY ASKS, "WHY DID YOU TAKE AWAY THE LADDER?
I CAN'T GET DOWN FROM HERE."
THE FATHER REPLIES "JUMP, I'LL CATCH YOU"
THE BOY JUMPS FROM THE HIGHEST SHELF AND THE FATHER MOVES
OUT OF THE WAY ALLOWING THE BOY TO HIT THE GROUND.
"PAPA," CRIES THE BOY, "I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO CATCH
ME! WHY DIDN'T YOU CATCH ME?"
THE FATHER REPLIED, "I TOLD YOU, YOU CAN'T TRUST ANYBODY."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1945