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FOX AND GOOSE |
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themselves in a line or string, according to size, one behind the other, the smallest last, behind the tallest one, called Mother Goose, with their arms securely round the waist of the one in front of them, or sometimes by grasping the dress.
The game commences by a parley between the Fox and Goose to this effect, the Goose beginning.
" What are you after this fine morning ? "
<; Taking a walk."
" With what object ? "
"To get an appetite for a meal."
"What does [will] your meal consist of? "
" A nice fat goose for my breakfast."
" Where will you get it ? "
" Oh, I shall get a nice morsel somewhere; and as they are so handy, I shall satisfy myself with one of yours."
"Catch one if you can."
A lively scene follows. The Fox and Mother Goose should be pretty evenly matched; the Mother with extended arms seeking to protect her Brood,-while the Fox, who tries to dodge under, right and left, is only allowed in case of a successful foray or grasp to secure the last of the train. Vigorous efforts are made to escape him, the Brood of course supplementing the Mother's exertions to elude him as far as they are able, but without breaking the link. The game may be continued until all in turn are caught.—Folk-lore Journal, vii. 217-18.
In Lancashire the children stand in line behind each other, holding each other by the waist. One stands facing them and calls out—
My mother sits on yonder chimney, And she says she must have a chicken. The others answer—
She can't have a chicken. The one then endeavours to catch the last child of the tail, who when caught comes behind the captor; repeat until all have changed sides.—Monton, Lancashire (Miss Dendy).
A version of this game played at Eckington, Derbyshire, is played as follows :—A den is chalked out or marked out for the Fox. A larger den, opposite to this, is marked out for the |
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