The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE UNPUNISHED BOY

ONCE THERE WAS A BAD BOY WHOSE MOTHER REFUSED TO PUNISH HIM. NO MATTER HOW
EVIL HE WOULD BE, HIS MOTHER COULD NOT BRING HERSELF TO HURT HER SON. THE BOY
MET WITH A SUDDEN AND VERY YOUNG DEATH. A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THE BURIAL, IT
WAS FOUND THAT A COLD ARM HAD FORCED ITS WAY THROUGH THE GROUND AT THE GRAVE SITE.
AFTER ATTEMPTS AT REBURYING THE LIMB HAD FAILED TO WORK, THE PASTOR OF THE CHURCH
TALKED TO THE WOMAN ABOUT HER SON. HE THEN THEORIZED AFTER HIS TALK THAT THE MOTHER
WOULD HAVE TO STRIKE HER CHILD'S HAND BEFORE HE COULD SEEK REST. IN TEARS THE WOMAN
WAS BROUGHT TO THE GRAVESIDE WHERE SHE FINALLY STRUCK HIS HAND. AT THAT MOMENT THE
ARM WENT BACK INTO THE EARTH.

Submitter comment: SLAPPING CAUSES HAND OF BURIED SINNER TO RETURN UNDERGROUND IN GRAVE

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: WHILE COLLECTOR WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL