Play recording: Gander and the Price of the Tea, The
view / hide recording details [+/-]
- Teideal (Title): Gander and the Price of the Tea, The.
- Uimhir Chatalóige Ollscoil Washington (University of Washington Catalogue Number): 850117.
- Uimhir Chnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann (National Folklore of Ireland Number): none.
- Uimhir Roud (Roud Number): none.
- Uimhir Laws (Laws Number): none.
- Uimhir Child (Child Number): none.
- Cnuasach (Collection): Joe Heaney Collection, University of Washington, Seattle.
- Teanga na Croímhíre (Core-Item Language): English.
- Catagóir (Category): story.
- Ainm an té a thug (Name of Informant): Joe Heaney.
- Ainm an té a thóg (Name of Collector): James Cowdery.
- Dáta an taifeadta (Recording Date): CT between 1979 and 1981.
- Suíomh an taifeadta (Recording Location): Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, United States of America.
- Ocáid an taifeadta (Recording Occasion): private.
- Daoine eile a bhí i láthair (Others present): unavailable.
- Stádas chóipcheart an taifeadta (Recording copyright status): unavailable.
This is an anecdote about the time that tea was a novelty in Conamara. It was supplied by a local character, whose nickname was the Gander, who would leave the supply of tea outside the door on the understanding that he would call back for payment at a later time. Of course, the people wanted to avoid paying him if they could manage to do so. On this occasion, the man of the house arranged for a couple of neighbours to come over to help him with his hay on the day that the Gander was supposed to return for his money.
When they saw the Gander approaching, this man sent his mother indoors, having coached her in how to deal with him. The Gander duly arrived and was sent inside to collect his money from the woman, who was alone in the house. The woman let out a screech and when the men went inside, armed with pitchforks, they found the Gander on top of her in the bed. The Gander paid them fifty pounds not to accuse him of ‘rape’.