The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BLACK MAGIC

THIS GAME IS PLAYED AS SOMEWHAT OF A JOKE ON THE
UNINFORMED. BEFORE LEAVING THE ROOM "IT" SUPPOSEDLY
PICKS AN OBJECT IN THAT ROOM. WHEN HE RETURNS, A PERSON
KNOWING HOW TO PLAY THIS GAME, BEGINS TO ASK "IT"
"IS IT THE LAMPSHADE?" AND THE ANSWER IS "NO." THIS
PROCEEDS BACK AND FORTH, THOSE UNAWARE ARE BEGINNING
TO GET CONFUSED AT ACTION. FINALLY,"IT" IS ASKED "IS
IT THE CANDLE STICK?" (WHICH HAPPENS TO BE BLACK).
THIS IS "ITS" CLUE THAT THE NEXT OBJECT ASKED OF
HIM IS THE OBJECT THE KIDS PICKED BEFOREHAND. "IT"
CONTINUES TO BE CORRECT EACH TIME, AND THOSE UNAWARE
MUST FIGURE OUT HOW THIS MAGIC POWER HAS BEEN BESTOWED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS

Date learned: 10-22-1971