Browse:Mockingbird (Volume 1, entries 1388–1392)
Mockingbird
Volume 1, entries 1388–1392. Source context: THE DOCTORS AT WORK: REPORTS FROM LAYMEN → FOLK MEDICINE → CURE AND PROTECTION. Entries listed under this heading in the source volume.
Entries
Entry 1388
Only, lessen it was a kid or somepin couldn't talk plain: yo' know, an' anybody else dat, yo' know, dey say couldn't explain de words plain enough. Yo' takes a mockingbird egg an' cook it chew know good an' hard, an' eat it an' put a little vinegar on it. Dat'll make 'em talk plain. (Where did you hear that?) Dat was done in my country - ah experienced dat.
(In Georgia?)
Yes, sir. [After No. 1035, p.395, was typed I found this more detailed belief.] [St. Petersburg, Fla., (1021), 1652:11.]
[There are dangers in the preceding rite:]
Entry 1389
If you rob a mockingbird's nest, that makes you go necked [naked] an' hungry. It's a sin to rob a mockingbird's nest. Yes sir, they say that's re'lly the truth.
Entry 1390
Say if yo' eat de mockingbird's egg why yo' couldn't keep nuthin but whut yo'd tell it tuh ever' an' ever'body - say if yo' eat de mockingbird's egg, but ah haven't tried it.
(What would it do if you eat those eggs?)
Say if yo' eat de mockingbird's eggs why yo' couldn't keep no secrets atall - yo' tell ever'thing yo' know.
Entry 1391
Well now, jest lak a woman in a pregnant condition - now, ah kin take dat mockingbird aig an' fix it an' go scatter it in her tea an' give dat woman some, an' dat chile will nevah be nuthin but a tattler an' news-carrier, be jest busy bee or anything.
Entry 1392
A mockin'bird to make a man always untruthful - cook it an' put it in his food, cook de mockin'bird aig. Yes sir, tell lies in ever'thing he mention.