The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MARY AND THE LIVER

MARY'S MOTHER SENT HER TO THE STORE TO BUY SOME LIVER, BUT MARY
STOPPED AND PLAYED ALONG THE WAY AND LOST THE MONEY. AS SHE WAS
GOING HOME MARY SAW A DOG SO SHE HIT IT IN THE HEAD WITH A BRICK
AND KILLED IT. SHE CUT OUT ITS LIVER AND BROUGHT IT HOME. MARY'S
MOTHER COOKED THE LIVER NOT KNOWING THAT IT WAS THE LIVER OF A DOG.
BUT MARY KNEW. THE NEXT MORNING WHEN MARY'S MOTHER WENT TO WAKE HER
UP' MARY WAS GONE AND THERE WAS A DOG IN MARY'S BED.

Submitter comment: THIS STORY IS SOMETIMES TOLD AS A JUMP STORY. MARY GETS THE LIVER
FROM A BODY IN THE GRAVEYARD AND THE OWNER OF THE LIVER HAUNTS MARY
UNTIL HE FINALLY SAYS, "I HAVE GOT YOU:"

Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans

James Callow Keyword(s): GORE

Date learned: 11-05-1973