The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SKUNK MISTAKEN FOR CAT

MY GREAT-GRANDPARENTS OWNED A FARM IN MASSACHUSETTS . THEY HAD AN
OLD MAN WORKING FOR THEM WHO WAS ALSO RENTING AN OLD CABIN MY
GREAT-GRANDFATHER HAD ON HIS LAND. ONE NIGHT THE OLD MAN CAME HOME
LATE FROM THE BAR AND AT HIS STEPS WAS WHAT HE THOUGHT TO BE MY
GREAT-GRANDPARENTS' CAT. THE OLD MAN PICKED UP THE ANIMAL AND
STARTED TO PET IT. WHEN HE GOT INSIDE THE CABIN HE LIT A MATCH TO
LIGHT THE LAMP. WHEN HE LIT THE MATCH HE SCARED THE SKUNK WHO LET
THE OLD MAN HAVE IT RIGHT BETWEEN THE EYES. THE OLD MAN COULDN'T
SEE VERY WELL FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS AFTER IT HAPPENED

Submitter comment: THIS IS TOLD AS A TRUE STORY IN OUR FAMILY. IT CAN BE HEARD
ANYTIME THE OLDER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY GET TOGETHER AND START
TO TALK ABOUT THE GOOD OLD DAYS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MADISON HEIGHTS

Date learned: 10-00-1973