The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

LEGEND OF THE POINSETTIA

AT THE TIME OF THE BIRTH OF THE CHRIST CHILD, A YOUNG SHEPHERD BOY
WANTED TO VISIT THE CHILD BUT HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO BRING HIM.
THERE WAS A RED FLOWER BY HIM, SO HE PICKED IT AND SAID THAT THIS
WOULD BE HIS GIFT TO THE CHRIST CHILD. WHEN HE PRESENTED IT TO
THE CHILD, HE SMILED JOYFULLY AT THE BOY. MANY YEARS LATER THIS
SAME BOY, NOW A MAN, WAS STANDING BY THE CROSS ON WHICH CHRIST WAS
HANGING. WHEN THE BLOOD FLOWED OUT OF THE SPEAR WOUND OF CHRIST
AND HIT THE GROUND, A RED FLOWER EXACTLY LIKE THAT GIVEN BY THE
SHEPHERD BOY SPRUNG UP. RIGHT THEN THE MAN KNEW THAT THIS WAS THE
SAME PERSON TO WHOM HE HAD ONCE GIVEN THE RED FLOWER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS

Date learned: NOT GIVEN