The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

WHEN A CHILD IS ONE YEAR OLD, IT IS A POLISH-AMERICAN
CUSTOM TO PLACE A SILVER DOLLAR, A WHISKEY GLASS
AND A PILE OF BLACK DIRT ON THE FLOOR.. THE BABY IS
THEN ALLOWED TO CRAWL TOWARD ONE. THE "CHOICE" HE THEN
MAKES TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE HE WILL LEAD. THE
MONEY MEANS THAT HE WILL BE WEALTHY, THE WHISKEY
GLASS MEANS THAT HE WILL BE A DRUNK, AND THE DIRT
MEANS THAT HE WILL HAVE AN EARLY DEATH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Date learned: 10-25-1970