“Whoever Sleeps with Children…”

Nationality: Spanish
Age: 21
Occupation: Student
Residence: Los Angeles, CA
Performance Date: April 24th
Primary Language: English

Time of Interview: April 24th, 1:07 p.m.

Place of Interview: Interior of VKC Library

Informant’s first encounter w/ Folklore: Childhood, w/ grandparents

When Folklore is Performed: Between the informant’s grandparents and parents

 

Transcript:

“’El que se acuesta con niños amanece mojado.’ If I’m not mistaken, it means, ‘Whoever sleeps with children will awaken all wet.’”

 

This quote refers to children urinating while sleeping. According to my informant, his grandparents would often tell this to his parents when they were giving him “too many chores.” It was a way of telling them not to place too much trust into your child, lest they fail at whatever task (or trust) you give them.