The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

ORDINARY FOLKTALE

A CHURCH SWEEPER FOUND A CHICKEDEE (BEAN) WHILE
SWEEPING. HE WENT OVER TO A LADY'S HOUSE WHO HAD A
CHICKEN. THE CHICKEN ATE THE CHICKEDEE. SO THE MAN
SAID GIVE ME MY CHICKEDEE OR GIVE ME THE CHICKEN.
HE TOOK THE CHICKEN TO A MAN'S HOUSE WHO HAD A PIG;
THE PIG ATE THE CHICKEN, SO THE MAN SAID "GIVE ME
MY CHICKEN OR GIVE ME THE PIG." HE TOOK HIS PIG TO
ANOTHER MAN'S HOUSE WHO OWNED A HORSE. THE HORSE
KICKED THE PIG AND KILLED IT. SO THE MAN SAID "GIVE
ME MY PIG OR GIVE ME THE HORSE." THE MAN THEN RODE
HIS HORSE TO A FARMER'S HOUSE AND ASKED THE FARMER TO
WATCH HIS HORSE FOR A WHILE. WHILE THE MAN WAS AWAY
THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER GOT VERY SICK AND WHEN THE
DOCTOR ARRIVED HE SAID THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD CURE
THE GIRL WAS A HORSE'S LIVER SO THE FARMER KILLED THE
HORSE. WHEN THE MAN RETURNED FOR HIS HORSE AND WAS TOLD
WHAT HAPPENED HE TOLD THE FARMER EITHER GIVE ME MY
HORSE OR GIVE ME YOUR DAUGHTER." BUT THE GIRL DIDN'T WANT
TO GO WITH THE MAN SO THE FARMER PUT A WILD DOG IN A
SACK AND GAVE IT TO THE MAN TELLING HIM IT WAS HIS
UNWILLING DAUGHTER. ON HIS WAY THE OLD MAN STOPPED
ON A BRIDGE TO ANSWER NATURE'S CALL AND THE DOG GOT OUT
OF THE SACK BIT THE MAN'S FANNY AND HE FELL INTO
THE RIVER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK

Date learned: 11-13-1971