The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

RIDDLE

A MAN WALKS UP TO ANOTHER MAN'S HOUSE WITH A LONG
TRENCH COAT ON AND A BOX UNDER HIS ARM. HE PROCEEDS
TO HAND IT TO THE OTHER MAN SAYING "NOW, WE'RE EVEN."
WHY?
-- TWO MEN WERE SHIPWRECKED ON A DESERTED ISLAND
WITHOUT FOOD AND INSTEAD OF STARVING, THE ONE MAN
(WHO WAS A DOCTOR) SAID HE'D CUT OFF THE OTHER MAN'S
ARM TO USE FOR FOOD. IF THEY EVER GOT OFF THIS ISLAND,
THE DOCTOR SAID HE WOULD REPAY THE MAN BY CUTTING OFF
HIS OWN ARM ONCE THEY GOT BACK. SO, THERE WAS AN ARM
IN THE BOX. THE REASON FOR THE LONG TRENCH COAT WHICH
HID THE DOCTOR'S ARM WAS HE STILL HAS HIS OWN ARM. HE
HAD CUT THE ARM IN THE BOX OFF OF SOMEONE ELSE IN HOPES
THAT THE MAN WOULD THINK IT WAS THE DOCTOR'S ARM.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Date learned: 02-22-1972