Legends 37: An Apple a Day
5Digest
This episode of Lore Legends dives into the captivating world of fruit folklore, exploring strange tales and superstitions surrounding various fruits. The episode begins with the British folklore about the devil cursing blackberries after being thrown into a blackberry bush, connecting this superstition to the religious holiday of Michael-Mess and the practical reality of blackberries becoming mushy after the first frost. The episode then delves into the broader significance of fruit in folklore and mythology, highlighting its role as a primary food source and its connection to superstitions and creation myths. The symbolism of apples in folklore is explored, examining their connection to the supernatural, immortality, and divination. Various myths and legends involving apples are discussed, including the story of Snow White and the golden apples of Greek mythology. The episode then recounts a chilling legend about Micah Rude, a farmer in Franklin, Connecticut, who allegedly murdered a peddler and buried him under an apple tree. The tree subsequently bore apples with a bloody red center, leading to the town's belief that the fruit was cursed. Finally, the episode explores the legend of the Peach Girls, two young girls who died after eating peaches in Eagle Creek, Oregon. It reveals the historical truth behind the legend, uncovering discrepancies in the story and revealing the true identity of the second peach girl.
Outlines
Fruit Folklore: From Blackberries to Peaches
This episode explores the fascinating world of fruit folklore, delving into legends, superstitions, and historical truths surrounding various fruits like blackberries, apples, and peaches.
The Devil's Curse on Blackberries
This chapter explores a British folklore about the devil cursing blackberries after being thrown into a blackberry bush. It connects this folklore to the religious holiday of Michael-Mess and the superstition surrounding eating blackberries after this date.
Fruit in Folklore: A Symbol of Sustenance and Superstition
This chapter discusses the significance of fruit in various cultures throughout history, highlighting its role as a primary food source and its connection to superstitions and creation myths.
The Poisoned Apple in Folklore
This chapter delves into the symbolism of apples in folklore, exploring their connection to the supernatural, immortality, and divination. It examines various myths and legends involving apples, including the story of Snow White and the golden apples of Greek mythology.
Keywords
Michael-Mess
A religious holiday honoring Archangel Michael, originally celebrated on October 10th or 11th in England. It is now celebrated on September 29th due to the shift from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar.
Forbidden Fruit
A recurring motif in folklore representing temptation and attractive pitfalls. It symbolizes divine knowledge, love, immortality, and other desirable but potentially dangerous things.
Folklore Telephone
A phenomenon where stories are passed down through generations, often with details being added, changed, or omitted, resulting in variations and distortions of the original narrative.
Camp Fever
A generic term used in the 19th century to describe sudden illnesses, often associated with outbreaks in crowded or unsanitary conditions. It was frequently used to refer to typhus, a serious bacterial infection.
Heirloom Apples
Apple varieties that have been passed down through generations, often with unique characteristics and flavors. Many heirloom apple varieties have gone extinct, adding to their mystique and historical significance.
Q&A
What is the origin of the superstition surrounding eating blackberries after Michael-Mess?
The superstition is rooted in the folklore about the devil cursing blackberries after being thrown into a blackberry bush. It is also connected to the practical reality that blackberries become mushy and prone to mold after the first frost, which often occurs around the time of Old Michael-Mess.
How does fruit play a significant role in folklore and mythology?
Fruit is often used as a symbol of sustenance, temptation, and the supernatural. It appears in creation myths, superstitions, and stories about immortality, divine knowledge, and curses.
What is the true story behind the legend of the Peach Girls?
The legend of the Peach Girls is based on the real deaths of two young girls, Nancy Black and Sarah Whitley, who died in Eagle Creek, Oregon, in 1854. While the general perception was that they died from eating peaches, the historical record reveals that Nancy died from Camp Fever and Sarah's identity remains uncertain.
Show Notes
Folklore grows. It has roots that run deep and branches that stretch out far and wide. The stories we pluck from it are fruit, in more ways than one—and that’s not necessarily a safe thing.
Narrated and produced by Aaron Mahnke, with writing by Alex Robinson, and research by GennaRose Nethercott.
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Lore Resources:
- Episode Music: lorepodcast.com/music
- Episode Sources: lorepodcast.com/sources
- All the shows from Grim & Mild: www.grimandmild.com
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©2024 Aaron Mahnke. All rights reserved.
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