The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IF A PERSON IS SERIOUSLY ILL AND NOT EXPECTED TO RECOVER,
GO BUILD A COFFIN AND SET IT IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. SO
WHEN DEATH COMES TO TAKE AWAY THAT PERSON, HE WILL SEE
THE COFFIN AND THINK THAT ANOTHER DEATH HAS ALREADY
GOTTEN HIM. DEATH WILL GO AND THE PERSON WILL RECOVER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; MCKENZIE

James Callow Keyword(s): Coffin ; DEATH ; Fool ; ILLNESS ; Reaper ; TRICK

Date learned: 10-14-1973