The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE GIFT

ONCE, IN A FAR AWAY PLACE A TRIBE OF PEOPLE LIVED. THE KING OF
THE PEOPLE LIVED IN A LARGE GRASS HUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
VILLAGE. THE KING HAD A LARGE THRONE MADE OF BRONZE AND IVORY
WEIGHING MANY TONS. A NEIGHBORING TRIBE WISHING TO MAKE FRIENDS
PRESENTED THE KING WITH A NEW THRONE MADE OF GOLD AND SILVER.
NOW, THIS NEW THRONE WAS MUCH NICER THAN THE OLD ONE, SO THE
KING BEGAN USING HIS NEW THRONE. MEANWHILE, THE OLD THRONE WAS
PUT INTO THE ATTIC . ONE DAY A LARGE ELEPHANT STAMPEDED BY,
SHAKING THE GROUND WITH IT'S STEPS. THE KING WAS SITTING ON HIS
THRONE AT THE TIME AND GOT UP TO SEE WHAT THE COMMOTION WAS ALL
ABOUT. AS HE GOT UP, THE OLD THRONE FELL THROUGH THE CEILING AND
CRUSHED HIM. THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS..."KING'S WHO LIVE IN GRASS
HOUSES SHOULDN'T STOW THRONES."

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 02-00-1972