The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

NOISES IN THE NIGHT

ONE NIGHT A MAN WAS WALKING AND HE HEARD A NOISE,
SOUNDING LIKE AN ANIMAL OR A BIRD. THE MAN ANSWERED
THE NOISE BY IMITATING THE SOUND. BUT THEN THE SOUND
BEGAN TO FOLLOW THE MAN AND HE BECAME TERRIFIED. HE
PICKED UP A WOODEN CROSS (SEE ACCOMPANYING STORY AS TO
WHY THE CROSS WAS AROUND) AND PUT THE CROSS OVER HIS
SHOULDER AS A PROTECTION FROM THE SOUND. HE MADE HIS
WAY HOME SAFELY BUT STILL AFRAID.

Submitter comment: WHAT THIS STORY IS SUPPOSED TO POINT OUT, IS THAT ONE
IS NOT SUPPOSED TO ANSWER BACK ANY NOISE OR SOUND IN
THE NIGHT BECAUSE THESE NOISES BELONG TO POOR SOULS
IN THE NIGHT.
TABU: SOUNDS IN THE NIGHT MUST NOT BE ANSWERED OR IMITATED BECAUSE
THEY COME FROM THE DEAD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO

Date learned: 02-18-1971