The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SNAKE AND BABY

INFORMANT'S MOTHER'S BROTHER WAS PLAYING BESIDE THE FIREPLACE IN THEIR COUNTRY HOME.
THIS WAS SOMETHING HE WAS ACCUSTOMED TO DOING EVERY DAY. EVERYONE THOUGHT HE WAS PLAYING ALONE.
ONE DAY HIS MOTHER SAW A BLACK SNAKE STICKING HIS HEAD OUT OF A CRACK IN THE FIREPLACE. THEN
SHE REALIZED HE WAS NOT PLAYING ALONE. THE BOY WOULD FEED THE SNAKE EVERY DAY. THE SNAKE WAS
HER SON'S PLAYMATE.

Submitter comment: THIS REALLY HAPPENED TO INFORMANT'S UNCLE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-07-1971