The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GOBS

GOBS IS A GAME THAT IS PLAYED MUCH LIKE JACKS, BUT
ONLY WITH STONES. FIVE STONES MAY BE THROWN INTO
THE AIR AND THEN MUST BE CAUGHT ON THE BACK OF THE
HAND. OR ONE STONE MAY BE THROWN IN THE AIR, WHILE
THE OTHER FOUR HAD TO BE PICKED UP OFF THE GROUND
AND THEN THE FIFTH STONE CAUGHT. THIS IS DONE
FOUR TIMES, IF YOU CAN'T PERFORM THE FIRST TASK
(5 STONES THROWN AND CAUGHT). ANOTHER STEP IS
THE MAKING OF A CIRCLE OUT OF ONE HAND, THROWING A
STONE IN THE AIR, PICKING UP ONE STONE FROM THE
GROUND AND PLACING IT IN THE CIRCLE FORMED BY THE
OTHER HAND AND THEN CATCHING THE STONE THAT WAS
THROWN IN THE AIR. THIS IS CALLED "CHICKEN" AND
IS ALSO DONE FOUR TIMES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-18-1970