Christmas Gift
A Florida Folktale
retold by
S. E. Schlosser
Away down South, an old custom dictates that if someone comes up to you on Christmas Day and says "Christmas gift" before y'all do, why y'all are obliged to give that person a present. Mind you, the custom does not say what sort of present y'all should give! But those of us who hail from the South consider ourselves to be gentlefolk. The gifts given and received in this manner are good enough to keep the custom alive and well.
Now, this is not to say that this custom does not have its drawbacks. Why, the Devil himself got a hold of the eastern coast of Florida in this manner! The Devil, being a canny fellow, knew that God was walking about Florida one Christmas Day, so he hid himself behind a stump. When the Lord came strolling by, the Devil jumped out real fast and said: "Christmas gift!" And the Lord, being as fine a Southern gentleman as you could meet, held up to his end of the custom and told the Devil, "You can have the east coast," and continued his stroll. So now the Devil plays hurricane games with the east coast of Florida whenever it pleases him.
| You can read a longer version of this story in Spooky South by S.E. Schlosser. |
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Comments
I like reading your website for the reason that you can always bring us fresh and awesome stuff, I think that I must at least say thanks for your hard work.
- Henry
Posted by: rachat de credit | October 24, 2010 02:51 PM
Uhm....ok.
Posted by: Ryan Bullerwell | October 29, 2010 09:36 PM
i love your story !you rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: lola | November 1, 2010 07:54 PM
whooo whooot we love this!(:
Posted by: ariyana & harleen | November 5, 2010 12:10 PM
yeah, it does make sence acually.
i love it its a really lovely story youve wriiten
im all the way from london by the way
-dalal
Posted by: dalal | November 6, 2010 11:44 AM
like.....weird
Posted by: Anonymous | November 8, 2010 09:42 PM
so THAt'S why there are always hurricains in Florida...
Posted by: Anonymous | November 19, 2010 01:14 PM
Great Story!
Posted by: Anonymous | December 2, 2010 07:53 PM
awsome legend
Posted by: jonny | December 25, 2010 05:34 PM
cool
Posted by: cheukia | January 3, 2011 09:10 PM
it was funny
Posted by: keihijaa | January 10, 2011 11:25 AM
i liked it
Posted by: layla | January 10, 2011 11:25 AM
Funny... I was born and raised in the South, still live in the South, and I have never heard of this...
There are a few phrases we often use that this story brings to mind. For the sake of politeness, I will use 'pulling your leg' as an example...
Posted by: Rene278 | January 10, 2011 06:31 PM
omg im glad i live farther north!
Posted by: Kenzie | February 15, 2011 05:26 PM
good story i like it.It was funny!
Posted by: illya | March 28, 2011 09:27 PM
i love this story im useing it for a folk tale project your so alwsom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: tierykah | May 5, 2011 09:23 AM
Thats cool!!!!!!!!!!! But weird to .....Now i don't want to go to east florida IM SCARED!!!!!!!! *shivers*
Posted by: Anuhea | August 8, 2011 08:40 PM