The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BENNY

THERE WAS ONCE A MAN NAMED BENNY. ONE DAY HIS FAIRY
GODFATHER APPEARED TO HIM AND TOLD HIM HE COULD HAVE
ANYTHING HE WANTED IF HE WOULD PROMISE NEVER TO SHAVE
HIS BEARD OR CUT HIS HAIR. IF HE EVER BROKE HIS
PROMISE HE WOULD TURN INTO AN URN.
BENNY PROMISED. HE DECIDED HE WANTED A CAR. THEN HE
DECIDED HE WANTED A GIRLFRIEND. EVERYTHING WENT FINE
UNTIL BENNY'S GIRL COULD STAND HIS HAIR AND BEARD NO
LONGER AND ASKED HIM TO CUT IT. HE SAID NO AND DIDN'T
TELL HER WHY.
ONE NIGHT WHILE BENNY WAS SLEEPING, HIS GIRLFRIEND CAME
IN AND CUT HIS HAIR ALL OFF AND BENNY TURNED INTO AN
URN, WHICH GOES TO SHOW THAT "A BENNY SHAVED IS A
BENNY EARNED."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 02-07-1968