The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GERMAN TALE

THERE ONCE WAS A VILLAGE CALLED RALLINGEN IN SWITZERLAND. THOUGH
THE TOWN ITSELF WAS VERY PRETTY, ITS INHABITANTS WERE STINGY
PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T BELIEVE IN CHARITY. ONE DAY A DWARF VISITED
THE VILLAGE BUT NONE OF THE PEOPLE WOULD LET HIM INTO THEIR HOMES.
ONLY ONE OLD COUPLE WHO WERE VERY POOR OPENED THEIR HOUSE TO HIM.
IN ANGER, THE DWARF DENOUNCED THE UNCHARITABLENESS OF RALLINGEN
AND, CLIMBING A HILL BEHIND THE TOWN, HE JUMPED ON A LARGE ROCK
AND RODE IT DOWN THE HILL TO THE TOWN. EVERY HOUSE EXCEPT THAT
OF THE OLD COUPLE WAS COMPLETELY WIPED OUT BY THE ROCK AND THE
PEOPLE WERE PUNISHED FOR THEIR LACK OF CHARITY.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT IS AN AMERICAN GIRL WHOSE PARENTS ARE FROM GERMANY.
HER FATHER LEARNED IT AS A YOUNG BOY IN GERMANY AND TOLD IT TO
HER WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT