The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MR FOX, MR FOX, WHAT TIME IS IT?

ONE PERSON IS THE FOX AND STANDS WITH HIS BACK TO THE OTHERS.
THE OTHERS ASK HIM WHAT TIME IT IS AND HE TELLS THEM, E.G.
TEN O'CLOCK
IS TEN STEPS. THEY THEN TAKE THAT NUMBER OF STEPS
FORWARD. THIS GOES ON UNTIL HE ANSWERS "MIDNIGHT" WHEN HE
TURNS AROUND AND CHASES THE OTHERS. WHEN THEY HEAR MIDNIGHT
THEY TURN AND RUN ALSO, THE IDEA BEING TO GET TO HOME WITHOUT
BEING TAGGED BY THE FOX. IF YOU ARE, YOU ARE NEW FOX.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Date learned: 11-00-1972