The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE NEW ENGLAND DUCK

IN AN OLD ITALIAN TOWN, A LITTLE OLD LADY WALKED INTO A BUTCHER SHOP
AND ASKED FOR A NEW ENGLAND DUCK.
THE OWNER, WHO WAS A VERY FAMILIAR WITH ALL KINDS OF DUCKS, WAS VERY
PUZZLED. SO TO TRY TO HELP OUT THE LITTLE OLD LADY, HE HELD UP JUST
ANY OLD DUCK.
THE LADY TOOK HER THUMB AND STUCK IT IN THE "COOLOO" OF THE DUCK. SHE
PULLED IT OUT AND SAID, "NO, THIS ISN'T A NEW ENGLAND DUCK".
THE OWNER AGAIN GOT ANOTHER DUCK AND GAVE IT TO THE LITTLE OLD LADY.
SHE AGAIN TOOK HER THUMB AND INSERTED IT INTO THE DUCK'S "COOLOO" AND
SAID, "AH: THIS IS A NEW ENGLAND DUCK."
AS HE WRAPPED THE CHICKEN FOR THE LITTLE OLD LADY, HE ASKED HER IF
SHE WAS AN ITALIAN. SHE REPLIED, "VERY MUCH SO."
THE LITTLE OLD LADY, STILL PUZZLED AS TO HOW COME THE BUTCHER DIDN'T
KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A NEW ENGLAND DUCK AND THE OTHERS, ASKED
HIM WHERE HE CAME FROM.
THE BUTCHER PULLED DOWN HIS PANTS, BENT OVER AND SAID, "HERE- YOU
TELL ME!"

Submitter comment: FROM ITALY IN THE EARLY 1900'S

Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL

Date learned: 11-00-1973