The following are intended to soothe restless children, and are so short that they may be given entire.
LXXV. THE STORY OF THE BARBER.
ONCE upon a time there was a barber.... Be good and I will tell it to you again. [1]
* * * * *
The next is from the same source.
Once upon a time there was a king, a pope, and a dwarf.... This king, this pope, and this dwarf....
(Then the story-teller begins again).
2] Pitrè, No. 141. In the notes to this story are given some more of this class.
"Once upon a time there was a page who drew three carts: one of wine, one of bread, and one of relishes.... And once upon a time there was a page."
Some poetical versions are given in the same place from various parts of Italy.
"Once upon a time,
An old man and an old woman
Were on top of a mountain...
Be quiet, for I am going to tell you it."
--Naples.
"Once upon a time there was a man
Behind the church
With a basket on his back...
But be still if I am to tell you it!"
--Milan, Nov. fior. p. 570.
Some more rhymes of this class may be found in Papanti, _Nov. pop. livor_, p. 17: "Once upon a time there was a man, whose name was Boccabella, who skinned his wife to make a skirt; and skinned his children to make some towels."
"Once upon a time there was a man,
A woman, and a little bottle...
Listen to this!"
"Once upon a time there was a king
Who ate more than you;
He ate bread and cheese,
Pull, pull this nose."
Here the speaker pulls the child's nose.
"Once upon a time there was a rich poor man
Who had seven daughters to marry:
On one hand there came a felon,
And on the other seven blisters."
