The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CATS AND DEATH

IN ROCKWOOD, WHEN I WAS A LITTLE BOY, THE LAUDS (LANDS?)
FAMILY USED TO BE OUR NEIGHBORS. WELL, MR. LANDS DIED.
YOU KNOW BACK THEN THEY ALWAYS KEPT THE BODY IN THE
HOUSE FOR ABOUT A WEEK. WELL, THEY KEPT MR. LANDS'
BODY SO LONG, IT STARTED TURNING BLACK. WELL, THE LANDS
HAD A WHOLE BUNCH OF CATS. YOU KNOW THEY SAY CATS TRY
TO GET ON A DEAD BODY AND SCRATCH IT. THOSE CATS GOT
INTO THAT CASKET ONE NIGHT AND THEY CAUGHT THEM JUST
IN TIME. THOSE CATS WOULD GET UP ON THE SCREEN WINDOW
RIGHT NEXT TO THE BODY AND TRY TO GET IN.

James Callow comment: APOSTROPHE ADDED

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; KINGSTON

Date learned: 07-27-1968