Zora Walker – "I’ll Give You Paper and Pins"

By Johnny Thomas Fowler

Published January 7, 2025 at 2:09 PM EST

Zora Walker (1922-2013) was from the Yellow Branch community of Graham County, North Carolina. She was a wealth of folklore, including stories, jokes, children’s games, traditional folk songs, and ballads.

This story, "I Want My Big Toe", has been around for many generations. Folklorist Richard Chase collected and told a version. It’s a classic mountain folktale.

On the Threshold of a Dream - Susan Pepper (Ballad Records) www.susanpepper.com

Johnny Thomas Fowler

Johnny has been part of the WNCW family for over 30 years. He is a professional storyteller and musician whose work is rooted in the traditions of old-time music and folk culture. John has received numerous honors, including First Place Banjo at the Mountain Dance Folk Festival and being a two-time Harmonica Champion at the Fiddler’s Grove Old Time Music Festival. It is a true honor for him to host the very popular This Old Porch on WNCW.

See stories by Johnny Thomas Fowler