The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CUSTOM AT ONE YEAR-BIRTHDAY

ON A BABY'S FIRST BIRTHDAY, HE IS PLACED BEFORE A TABLE
ON WHICH THREE OBJECTS HAVE BEEN SET: A ROSARY, MONEY
(USUALLY SILVER), AND A WHISKEY GLASS. IF THE BABY
REACHES FOR THE ROSARY FIRST, HE WILL BE SAINTLY, AND
POSSIBLY BECOME A PRIEST OR NUN. IF THE BABY REACHES
FOR THE MONEY FIRST, HE WILL BECOME A BUSINESSMAN, OR IN
SOME OTHER WAY, BE RICH. IF HE REACHES FOR THE WHISKEY
GLASS, HE WILL BE A DRUNK

Submitter comment: I KNEW OF THIS YEARS AGO. MY MOTHER DID THIS TO MY
YOUNGER SISTER BACK IN 1940. THROUGH THE YEARS, I HAD
HEARD OTHER REFERENCES TO THE CUSTOM. MOST RECENTLY, I
WAS AT A MEETING OF A GROUP OF FRIENDS AND DURING THE
EVENING THE TALK GOT AROUND TO CUSTOMS OF POLISH PEOPLE.
ONE GIRL, LOTTIE PYTEL OF DETROIT (MICHIGAN) (CHOPIN
STREET) REVEALED THAT IN HER FAMILY THE CUSTOM IS
CARRIED ON, IN MUCH THE SAME MANNER AS I HAVE DESCRIBED
IT ABOVE.)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 05-00-1965 ; 00-00-1940