The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

OCCURANCE AT A WAKE

THE INFORMANT'S GRANDMOTHER GREW UP ON A FARM IN LITHUANIA. WHEN
SHE WAS A CHILD, SHE WAS TAKEN TO A NEIGHBORING FARM FOR A
FUNERAL. THE GROWN-UPS WERE TALKING IN THE KITCHEN WHILE THE
CHILDREN WERE IN THE PARLOUR WHERE THE MAN WAS LAID OUT WITH A
SHEET COVERING THE BODY. SUDDENLY THE BODY BEGAN TO SIT UP AND
THE CHILDREN ALL SCREAMED. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE MAN HAD DIED
IN THAT ROOM.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT