The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

This is not really a game, just something to pass time.
It involves taking a blank piece of paper that is perfectly
square and making a series of folds to create a three-
dimensional message teller.
On the outside are four flaps with a color spelled out
on each flap.
A child would take the message teller and present it to
another and say, "Pick a color."
The second child would then pick one of the four colors.
The first child would then manipulate the paper item,
spelling out the color and presenting an alternate set
of numbers with each letter said.
On the last letter spelled, the second child would choose
a number from the 4 of the 8 that are revealed.
The first child would again manipulate the paper, counting
the number, while presenting alternate sets of numbers.
When the counting is finished, the second child again
picks a number, but this time the first child lifts up
the flap underneath the number to reveal a "message."
Usually there are both good and bad messages.
Some that we used as kids were, "You are nice" or
"You are ugly."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HEMLOCK

Date learned: 00001980S