The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

NARRATIVE

IN 1917 IN POLAND HER MOTHER LIVED ON A FARM. ONE NIGHT THEY
HEARD THE CATTLE IN THE BARN SCREECHING. IT WAS AN UNUSUAL CRY,
SO THEY RAN OUT TO SEE WHAT THE MATTER WAS. ALL THE CATTLE WERE
DEAD AND THE STRANGE THING ABOUT IT WAS THAT THE HIDE ON ALL THE
CATTLE WAS MATTED UNDER THEIR NECKS. AFTER THAT THEY HUNG HUGE
SICKLES ABOVE THE BARN DOORS TO WARD OFF THE EVIL SPIRITS AND
THEY NEVER HAD TROUBLE AGAIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: NOT GIVEN