The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

(A BENNY SHAVED IS A BENNY URNED)

THERE WAS ONCE A MAN CALLED BENNY, WHO FOUND AN OLD LAMP
AND RUBBED IT. A GENIE APPEARED AND GRANTED HIM A WISH
ON ONE CONDITION: THAT HE NEVER SHAVE AGAIN FOR THE REST
OF HIS LIFE. SO BENNY PROMISED NOT TO SHAVE, AND THE GENIE
SAID THAT IF HE WERE TO SHAVE, HE WOULD BE TURNED INTO AN
URN. THIRTY YEARS LATER THE BEARD WAS PRETTY LONG AND THE
GENIE HAD GRANTED HIS WISH OF RICHES AND THINKING THAT THE
GENIE FORGOT ABOUT THE AGREEMENT, BENNY SHAVED AND WAS
INSTANTLY TURNED INTO AN URN. THIS JUST GOES TO SHOW:
"A BENNY SHAVED IS A BENNY URNED."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): EARNED

Date learned: 10-05-1970