The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PLAYERS: MOTHER, CHILDREN, WITCH
MOTHER SAYS: CHILD REPLIES:
"PLEASE GO STIR THE PEAS "WITH A KNIFE?"
"NO." "WITH A FORK?"
"NO." "WITH A SPOON?"
"GO JUMP OVER THE MOON."
CHILD JUMPS OVER THE MOON; WITCH GIVES CHILD A NUMBER
AND TURNS HER INTO A PIANO. MOTHER AND OTHER CHILDREN
CONTINUE DIALOGUE.
"GO STIR THE PEAS, YOUR SISTER "WITH A KNIFE?"
(OR BROTHER) IS TOO SLOW."
"NO." "WITH A FORK?"
"NO." "WITH A SPOON?"
"GO JUMP OVER THE MOON."
MOTHER THEN LOOKS FOR HER CHILDREN BUT SHE CAN'T FIND
THEM. FINALLY, SHE GOES TO THE WITCH'S HOUSE
AND KNOCKS ON THE DOOR. MOTHER AND WITCH CONVERSE:
"HAVE YOU SEEN MY CHILDREN ANYWHERE?"
"YES, I THINK THEY WENT DOWN PRICKER STREET."
MOTHER GOES DOWN ALL THE STREETS NAMED BY THE WITCH
AND PERFORMS ACTIONS TO THE STREETS. MOTHER SAYS:
MOTHER: "NO THEY ARE NOT THERE."
WITCH: "I THINK I SAW THEM GO DOWN KNIFE STREET."
MOTHER: "NO, THEY ARE NOT THERE, MAY I COME IN?"
WITCH: "YOUR SHOES ARE MUDDY."
MOTHER: "I'LL TAKE THEM OFF."
WITCH: "YOUR FEET ARE BLOODY."
MOTHER: "I'LL CUT THEM OFF."
WITCH: "HERE'S A KNIFE."
MOTHER CUTS HER FEET OFF AND THE WITCH GIVES HER SOME
SLIPPERS. MOTHER ENTERS WITCH'S HOUSE. MOTHER PLAYS
THE PIANO AND GETS THREE TURNS TO GUESS THE NUMBERS.
IF SHE GUESSES, SHE GETS TO HAVE HER CHILDREN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: NOT GIVEN