The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MYTHWOODPECKER

ANOTHER STORY ABOUT ST. PETER IS THE ONE ABOUT THE LADY WHO WAS
BAKING LITTLE BREADS ONE DAY AND A LITTLE OLD MAN CAME TO HER WINDOW
STARVING AFTER TRAVELLING SO FAR PREACHING AND ASKED HER FOR A SMALL
LOAF OF BREAD. HOWEVER, WHEN THE WOMAN LOOKED AT EACH BREAD AS SHE
ROLLED IT, IT LOOKED TOO BIG TO GIVE AWAY. SO SHE KEPT ROLLING AND
ROLLING TRYING TO MAKE HIM A VERY SMALL ONE, UNTIL SHE GAVE UP AND
KEPT THEM ALL TO HERSELF. SO ST. PETER, ANGERED BY HER ACTIONS, TOLD
HER FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE SHE WOULD HAVE TO SCROUNGE AROUND FOR
FOOD AND SO HE CHANGED HER INTO A BIRD EXCEPT FOR HER KERCHIEF, AND
SENT HER UP THE SOOTY CHIMNEY. THIS IS WHY YOU ALWAYS SEE THE
WOODPECKER PECKING AWAY AT THE BARK ON THE TREES AND ITS BODY IS
BLACK FROM THE SOOT IN THE CHIMNEY, AND ITS HEAD IS RED LIKE THE
LADY'S KERCHIEF.
(SHARE WHATEVER YOU HAVE AND NEVER THINK YOU ARE GIVING TOO MUCH,
FOR THE TIME MAY COME WHEN YOU NEED SOMETHING AND YOU MAY HAVE TO
ASK FOR HELP FROM SOMEONE).

Submitter comment: FROM ITALY IN THE EARLY 1900S

Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK

Date learned: 10-00-1973