t

RANSVESTIA

me? I answered the first part of her question by owning to a more than normal curiosity in matters of alchemy, prophecy and super- stition. I also stated with some hauteur that I had no interest in a sex change, if for no other reason than because I was of such sta- ture that a change of this type would be ridiculous. I called to her attention the fact that her nephew was informed as to the sub- stance of her interpretation of the prophecy with no apparent side effects. She listened with interest to my explanations, with no comment.

In preparing this article I have enclosed the lady's remarks in quotes, even though all are not direct quotations, but because so many of the words, phrases and even nuances of expression are authentic. The conversation was held in French, which is not the native tongue of either, though both of us were fluent. I have interpreted rather than translated.

She stated that this little verse

"The man who would become a miss, His elbows he must learn to kiss"

is deeply interwoven in the way of life of the people in the Bal- kans, and she knew it to be true, for she had seen several youths who had become what are called "boy-girls" by practicing the exercise told of in the verse.

"This change of sexual determination definitely serves a useful purpose both to the women and to the boys who are chosen to participate, as the women in this area, almost without excep- tion, outlive their husbands. The later years of their lives can, therefore, be cold and lonesome. Children, particularly sons, are needed and wanted, but sons have a habit of growing up, leaving home and establishing their own family groups. I know that you are familiar with this refrain:

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