The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE FOX AND THE PRIEST'S WIFE

THE PRIEST'S WIFE WAS BOTHERING HER HUSBAND FOR A NEW FUR COAT.
IN THE MEANWHILE SHE WAS COOKING SOME CAKES AND PUTTING THEM
IN THE BACKYARD TO COOL OFF. A FOX CAME BY AND SAID, "GIVE
ME YOUR CAKES, I AM HUNGRY," THE WIFE SAID, "BEFORE I GIVE YOU THE
CAKES, I NEED A NEW COAT." THE FOX SAID TO THE PRIEST'S WIFE TO
GIVE HIM THE CAKES, AND TO TELL HER HUSBAND TO WAIT AT THE SAME
TIME TOMORROW IN THE BACKYARD WITH A GUN, AND TO SHOOT THE COAT
THAT WENT BY. THE FOX TOOK THREE MORE CAKES AND LEFT. HE WENT
INTO THE WOODS NEAR THE BROOK AND BEGAN TO EAT THE THREE CAKES.
THE FOX ATE THE FIRST CAKE, AND HAD TROUBLE WITH THE SECOND
ONE BUT MANAGED TO FINISH IT, BUT HE ONLY ATE ONE-HALF OF THE
THIRD CAKE. LATER ON, THE WOLF CAME BY AND ASKED WHERE THE FOX
HAD OBTAINED SUCH A FEAST. THE FOX SAID THAT HE HAD STOLEN THEM
FROM THE PRIEST'S WIFE WHO BAKES A NEW BATCH EVERY DAY AND LETS
THEM COOL OFF IN THE BACKYARD WHILE SHE GOES OFF TO TOWN. THE
WOLF THANKED THE FOX AND THE NEXT DAY, THE WOLF WENT THROUGH THE
WOODS INTO THE BACKYARD TO GET SOME FREE CAKES, WHEN, "BANG" AND
THE WIFE HAD A NEW WOLFSKIN COAT.

Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS IN HIS CHILDHOOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-10-1967