The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MOTHER MAY I?

THE "MOTHER" STANDS AT ONE END AND THE CHILDREN AT THE
OTHER. MOTHER SAYS, "JANE, YOU MAY TAKE ONE BABY STEP."
JANE SAYS, "MAY I?" MOTHER SAYS, "YES, YOU MAY."
SHE SAYS TO THE NEXT CHILD, "JACK, YOU MAY TAKE 3 GIANT
STEPS." JACK TAKES 3 GIANT STEPS BUT MUST RETURN TO THE
STARTING LINE, BECAUSE HE FORGOT TO SAY, "MAY I."
MOTHER CALLS IN TURNS TO EACH CHILD ANY STEP IN ANY
AMOUNT UNTIL SOMEONE REACHES MOTHER AND BECOMES THE NEW
MOTHER. SNEAKING IS PERMITTED UNLESS SEEN BY MOTHER,
AND IF SO, MUST RETURN TO THE STARTING LINE. SOME
STEPS WHICH CAN BE TAKEN ARE: BABY STEPS, GIANT STEPS,
SCISSORS STEPS (LEGS CROSSED), UMBRELLA STEPS (TWIRLS),
AND BANANA STEPS (SLIDES).

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 09-00-1965