The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

A TALL TALE

IN IOWA THEY TELL A STORY ABOUT THE IOWA CORN. THEY SAY THAT IN
THE STATE WHERE THE BLACK LOAM IS TWENTY FEET DEEP, THE CORN
GROWS SO HIGH THAT THEY HAVE TO CLIMB LADDERS TO GET DOWN THE
EARS.
THEY ALSO SAY THAT ONCE A YOUNG BOY FROM AMES CLIMBED ONE OF THE
STALKS AND BEFORE HE COULD YELL THE STALK HAD GROWN HIGHER THAN
THE SILO. THE FOLKS AROUND THAT PART OF THE COUNTRY FED THE BOY
BY SHOOTING BISCUITS UP TO HIM. FINALLY, THE STALK GREW OUT OF
GUN RANGE. THE BOY WAS NEVER HEARD FROM OR SEEN AGAIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT