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Stith Thompson Motif Index
About this index and how to read it
Stith Thompson's Motif-Index of Folk-Literature classifies recurring narrative elements in folktales, myths, legends, ballads and related traditional narratives. Each entry below gives Thompson's motif reference and the description recorded in the index.
The index is large, so this browser displays 250 entries per page. You can search by motif reference or by words in the description, restrict the results to one of Thompson's main letter categories, and click motif references mentioned inside descriptions to follow cross-references. Individual motif pages also show any ATU tale types whose concordance explicitly cites that Thompson reference.
All
A
Mythological Motifs
B
Animal Motifs
C
Motifs of Tabu
D
Magic
E
The Dead
F
Marvels
G
Ogres
H
Tests
J
The Wise and the Foolish
K
Deceptions
L
Reversals of Fortune
M
Ordaining the Future
N
Chance and Fate
P
Society
Q
Rewards and Punishments
R
Captives and Fugitives
S
Unnatural Cruelty
T
Sex
U
The Nature of Life
V
Religion
W
Traits of Character
X
Humor
Z
Miscellaneous Groups of Motifs
| Thompson reference | Description ▲ |
|---|---|
| J1738.7 | Ignorant people told religious holiday is coming the next day: camel appears and is feasted. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J1738.1 | Ignorant priest forces rolls of cloth instead of bread down a dying man's throat. Wesselski Bebel I 222 No. 116. |
| J1086 | Ignoring the unpleasant. Wise man refuses to react to unpleasantness. "I don't hear the unpleasant." Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| J1111.2 | Illegitimate daughter of trickster inherits father's ability to dupe others. Pierre Faifeu No. 43; Nouvelles de Sens No. 8. |
| J2213 | Illogical use of numbers. |
| J1795 | Image in mirror mistaken for picture. England, U.S.: *Baughman. |
| J1551 | Imaginary debt and payment. *Fischer-Bolte Reise der Söhne Giaffers 209ff.; Hindu: Penzer V 132 n. 2, 133, IX 155f.; cf. Nouvelles de Sens No. 9. |
| J1551.8 | Imagined color. Clerk tells person to imagine that blue cloth is green. The customer walks out without paying. The clerk asks for payment; the customer tells clerk to imagine he has been paid. England, U.S.: *Baughman. |
| J1551.1 | Imagined intercourse, imagined payment. A woman demands money for a visit which she dreams of having had from a merchant. She is shown the money in a mirror. *Chauvin VIII 158 No. 163; *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 810; *Fischer-Bolte Reise der Söhne Giaffers 209; Tupper and Ogle Walter Map 113; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| J1551.7 | Imagined ownership: derived from a dream. Man claims ownership of bulls because he has dreamed of them. He is given their shadows. Italian Novella: *Rotunda. |
| J1551.2 | Imagined penance for imagined sin. A penitent confesses that a plan to sin had entered his mind. Priest tells him that the thought is as good as the deed. Assesses four florins as penance. Penitent says that he had only had it in his mind to give the florins; he must take the thought for the deed. *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 298; *Wesselski Gonnella 110 No. 10; *Fischer-Bolte Reise der Söhne Giaffers 210. |
| J2232 | Imitation and the real pig. Imitator of the pig's cries applauded. Fool brings real pig but fails. Wienert FFC LVI 84 (ET 510), 119 (ST 291); Jacobs Aesop 220 No. 80. |
| J2412.4 | Imitation of diagnosis by observation: ass's flesh. A doctor tells his patient that he has eaten too much chicken, and this the patient confesses. The doctor's son wants to know how the diagnosis was made. The doctor says that as he rode up he observed chicken feathers and made his conclusions. The son imitates. He sees an ass's saddle. Diagnosis: you have eaten too much ass's flesh. *Wesselski Hodscha Nasreddin I 250 No. 167; *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 792; Italian Novella: *Rotunda; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2412.4.1 | Imitation of diagnosis by observation: stick under table. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| J2411.6 | Imitation of jumping into fire without injury: dupe burned up. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2411.7 | Imitation of magic production of garden and lake unsuccessful. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges. |
| J2411.1 | Imitation of magic rejuvenation unsuccessful. (Cf. J2401.) *Types 531, 753; Lithuanian: Balys Legends Nos. 633f.; Spanish: Espinosa III Nos 168—171; Missouri French: Carrière; Greek: Frazer Apollodorus I 121 n. 4; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2411.4 | Imitation of magician unsuccessful. Person does self injury. Irish myth: Cross. |
| J2411.2 | Imitation of miraculous horse-shoeing unsuccessful. Christ takes off a horse's foot to shoe it and then successfully replaces it. (Cf. J2401.) Type 753; Dh II 168ff.; Lowes Romanic Review V 368ff.; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| J2412.3 | Imitation of the prescription. A peasant envying a doctor's fee for giving him a plaster and predicting a son, poses as a doctor. He predicts a son for a eunuch and gives a plaster for heart disease. Chauvin II 196 No. 23. |
| J1041 | Impossibility of pleasing everyone. One must act therefore without awaiting everyone's approval. |
| J1512 | Impossible demand rebuked. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| J1191.5.1 | Impossible to eat pearls: also impossible for woman to bear animals (objects). India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J814.1 | Imprisoned musician defends himself. Has been imprisoned because the king did not like the way the musician looked at him. After a year the king returns as a conqueror and sees musician. The latter says that he saw the king's conquests in a vision and was blessing him when he looked at him. The musician is honored. *Wesselski Hodscha Nasreddin I 255 No. 188. |
| J711.2 | Improvident mouse eats grain stored for famine. Loss is discovered and grain placed elsewhere. Mouse, who has saved nothing, starves. *Chauvin II 115 No. 90. |
| J2119.1.1 | Improving the wife's face by cutting off her nose. Penzer V 68f.; *Krappe Bulletin Hispanique XXXIX 21 No. 76. |
| J242.8 | In dividing property clever younger brother takes hind part of buffalo, upper part of tree, and use of curtain during night. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J1279.4 | In numbers there is strength. The children of the Genoese are strong because there is more help. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| J2041.1 | In Passion Play the Christ says, "I am thirsty"; the thief on the left speaks up, "I too." Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 864. |
| J752 | In planning future, profit by the past. |
| J342.1.1 | In spite of master's advice disciple stays in country where everything has cheap price. Gets into trouble. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J711 | In time of plenty provide for want. |
| J2025 | Inability to find object one is carrying. |
| J2020 | Inability to find own members, etc. |
| J1849 | Inappropriate action from misunderstanding—miscellaneous. |
| J1820 | Inappropriate action from misunderstanding. |
| J1565 | Inappropriate entertainment repaid. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| J651 | Inattention to danger. |
| J652 | Inattention to warnings. Icelandic: *Boberg; Missouri French: Carrière; West Indies: Flowers 477. |
| J2364 | Incognito mistress breaks off relations when she overhears the lover discussing the adventure. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| J352 | Inconvenience disregarded when booty is in sight. |
| J711.5 | Industrious ant works always at his harvest to keep it dry. Ant brings stored grain out into sun to keep it safe. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J481 | Inflicters rather than receivers of wounds chosen. Men with many wounds recommended as soldiers. King had rather have those who gave the wounds. Wesselski Bebel I 69 No. 48. |
| J1243 | Inherited gold ring divided between three by selling it and dividing the money. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| J1561.2 | Inhospitable host punished for hospitality. An abbot has his innkeeper treat his guests with the most shameful neglect. A guest retaliates by telling the abbot that he has been very sumptuously entertained. The innkeeper is discharged. *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 60; Scala Celi 104a No. 565; Alphabet No. 357. |
| J1561 | Inhospitality repaid. Irish myth: *Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2233.1 | Innocent man executed because his neck fits the noose (or the like). India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| J2370 | Inquisitive fool. |
| J168 | Inscription on walls for condensed education. Chauvin VIII 34 No 1. |
| J2469 | Instructions followed literally—miscellaneous. |
| J562 | Intemperance in charity. A waste of time to make a bed for a dog who lies down wherever he happens to be tired. Likewise a waste of time to help unappreciative people. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 429. |
| J565 | Intemperance in fasting. |
| J556 | Intemperance in honesty. Irish: Beal XXI 335, O'Suilleabhain 118. |
| J555 | Intemperance in obedience. |
| J561 | Intemperance in pursuit. |
| J558 | Intemperance in sacrificing. Wienert FFC LVI 80 (ET 462), 138 (ST 431); Halm Aesop No. 161; Jewish: Neuman. |
| J554 | Intemperance in service. Emperor rebukes overzealous servant as being a nuisance. Wienert FFC LVI 85 (ET 523), 143 (ST 491). |
| J557 | Intemperance in undertaking labor. |
| J553 | Intemperance in work. |
| J564 | Intemperance in worship. Irish myth: Cross. |
| J552 | Intemperate pugnacity. |
| J551 | Intemperate zeal in truth-telling. |
| J1175.2 | Intentional and accidental fire. Rich man wishing to get rid of a neighbor's tree sets it afire. Neighbor's house catches and burns. Must pay four times value of tree since fire is intentional, but only actual value of house, since that fire was accidental. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 625. |
| J1583 | Interested only in his capital. Preacher tells parishioners (regarding the day's offering): "You will get back 100 for 1." Donor of a penny: "I'll be glad to get back my capital!" Italian Novella: *Rotunda. |
| J2133.7 | Intruding wolf falls down chimney and kills himself. Type 123; *BP I 40. |
| J1577.1 | Inviting to a feast only those whose households have never been touched by death. None comes. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J1475 | Is ready to go. A peddler scolds the dog who is waiting and tells him to get ready to go with him. The dog replies that he has nothing to carry, that it is the peddler who is late. Wienert FFC LVI 73 (ET 379), 125 (ST 343). |
| J2272.2 | Is today's sun the same as yesterday's? India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J1771.5 | Island thought to be large dog. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 448. |
| J1453 | It's better to fight in the shade. Soldier tells captain that the enemy are so numerous that their arrows darken the sun. Captain: "Good, it will be more comfortable fighting in the shade." Italian Novella: *Rotunda. |
| J512.13 | Jackal accidentally made king but joins other jackals in howling at night. Killed. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J681.1.1 | Jackal and leopard tie tails together for mutual protection. Frightened, they run apart and injure each other. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J1117.1 | Jackal as trickster. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J873.1 | Jackal covers up his inability to cross stream by saying he is looking for shallowest part. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J953.14 | Jackal falls into dye vat, tries to pose as peacock: detected. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J423.1 | Jackal realizes that the partridge was too clever for him and leaves. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2132.3.1 | Jackal ties captive crow to his tail. Crow pecks self loose and injures jackal's tail. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2413.8 | Jackal tries to roar like lion at elephant. Is killed. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2131.5.6 | Jackal's head caught in pot of blue dye. Animals make him king, but detect him from his cry and turn him out. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J1791.3.4 | Jackals jump into well after drums and are killed. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J1849.2 | Jackdaw tries to swallow sparks from glowworm. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J951.2 | Jay in peacock's (pigeon's) skin unmasked. Type 244; Wienert FFC LVI 47, 57 (ET 61, 173), *93 (ST 66, 67, 68); Halm Aesop Nos. 200, 201, 201b; Jacobs Aesop 205 No. 21; Scala Celi 80b No. 461; Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J1655.1 | Jewels concealed in cowdung cakes. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| J2336 | Jewess makes parents believe that she is to give birth to the Messiah. She bears a girl. *Wesselski Mönchslatein 65 No. 53; *Wesselski Bebel I 213 No. 104; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. *1864; Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| J1192.1 | Judge awards decision to the greater bribe. *DeVries FFC LXXIII 263; Pauli (ed. Bolte) Nos. 125, 128, 852, 853; Scala Celi 20a No. 122; England: Baughman; Italian Novella: *Rotunda; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J1192.1.2 | Judge favors poor defendant so he may obtain money from rich without begging. Jewish: Neuman. |
| J1197 | Judge finds offense is not great when it is his own son who is guilty. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J1195 | Judge frightened into awarding decision. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| J571.6 | Judge not that you be not judged: thus judge upbraided when he is later accused in court and claims mercy. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J1212 | Judge put out of countenance. |
| J904 | Judge should possess humility and modesty. Jewish: Neuman. |
| J1172 | Judgment as rebuke to unjust plaintiff. |
| J1171 | Judgment by testing love. |
| J1261.7 | Judgment Day a long way off. Thief told by monk that he must return stolen cloth on Judgment Day "If I have so long a period of grace, I should like to take the whole monastery." Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 783; Irish: Beal XXI 327, O'Suilleabhain 76; Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| J1175 | Judgments concerning arson. |
| J2161.1 | Jumping into the breeches. Trying to draw both legs on at once. Type 1286; Köhler-Bolte I 82; Clouston Noodles 201. |
| J1832 | Jumping into the river after their comrade. Through misunderstanding one of the men jumps into the river. He calls out; the others think that he wants them to follow, and all jump in and are drowned. *BP II 556 n. 1; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| J821 | Keeping on good terms with hostile gods. |
| J2129.6 | Keeping rain from the trunks. Numskulls take out the clothing and cover the trunks to keep rain off. Penzer V 116 n. 1. |
| J2036 | Keeping the measure by stretching out the arms. Numskull goes to buy goods for his wife. Clouston Noodles 90; *Wesselski Hodscha Nasreddin I 248 No. 161. |
| J1482 | Keeping the secret. Man tells parson secret and asks him to keep it. The parson refuses; "If you can't keep the secret, you must not expect me to." *Wesselski Arlotto II 263 No. 199. |
| J1875.1 | Kernel tries to escape death. A fool eats nuts. A kernel slips from him. The fool: "Everything tries to escape from death." *Wesselski Hodscha Nasreddin II 183 No. 346. |
| J974 | Kid perched on house jeers at wolf. (Cf. J978.) Jacobs Aesop 204 No. 16; Wienert FFC LVI 56 (ET 162), 112 (ST 231); Halm Aesop No. 135. |
| J1193.1 | Killing the fly on the judge's nose. The judge has told the boy that he should kill a fly wherever he sees one. Type 1586; *BP I 519; *Wesselski Hodscha Nasreddin I 271 No. 280; *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 673; Fansler MAFLS XII 390, 435; Rumanian: Schullerus FFC LXXVIII 69 No. 4. |
| J391 | Kind foster-parents chosen rather than cruel parents. (Cf. J325.) |
| J715 | Kindness unwise when it imperils one's food supply. |
| J702.2 | King (queen) teaches children to work at all tasks to prepare them for life's possible hazards. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J482 | King advised to marry maid rather than widow. Widow would have things her own way. *Stiefel Zs. f. Vksk. VIII 278. |
| J1483.1 | King and jester flee: the king's swift horse. Jester: "You did have a swift horse. When I had to stop because my horse was tired out, you went two miles further." Wesselski Bebel I 207 No. 94. |
| J2137.7 | King attempts to visit the spirit world underground and dies in a tunnel. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J816.1 | King brought to sense of duty by feigned conversation of birds. Philosopher pretends to know bird's language and to be translating what they tell him. *Basset 1001 Contes II 452; Chauvin II 153 No. 21, *VIII 129f. No. 119; Wesselski Märchen 220 No. 34; Spanish Exempla: Keller; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| J816.3 | King brought to sense of duty by woman's words. Drunken king sentences unjustly. Woman asks to appear before the king before he has dined. Her case is retried. Spanish: Childers. |
| J1081.1 | King buys spendthrift's bed. It must have been an extraordinary bed to permit a man with so many debts to sleep on it. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 503; Herbert III 128 No. 79, 170 No. 35; Italian Novella: *Rotunda. |
| J816.2 | King called baker's son: he has given the poet only loaves of bread. King sees jest and rewards poet. Nouvelles Récréations No. 4. |
| J1289.10 | King cannot destroy the city. A philosopher of the city came to him asking mercy for it King said he would do nothing he asked. Philosopher then asked him to destroy the city. This saves the city. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J221.2 | King chooses small inconvenience of personal troubles to great troubles for his kingdom. He suffers to help realm. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J914.1 | King David dances with common youths before the Ark of the Covenant. He humbles self to please God. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J52.2 | King descends to bottom of sea in glass barrel to learn wisdom from observing fish. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J711.3 | King for a year provides for future. Knowing that the custom is that he is to be deposed in a year, he sends provisions to a safe place out of the kingdom. *Crane Vitry 137 No. 9; Herbert III 63, 191; Oesterley Gesta Romanorum No. 224; *Chauvin II 160 No. 49, 192 No. 9, III 101 No. 8; Scala Celi No. 134; Alphabet No. 655.—Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: bin Gorion Born Judas IV 36, 275f. |
| J571.2 | King given three wheels to control his anger. *Chauvin II 127 No. 130. |
| J155.2 | King has amours with great men's wives so as to learn secrets from them. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 505. |
| J913 | King has earthen vessels placed on table among the golden ones. He had formerly been a potter and prefers the vessels which he had made to the ones now molding him. Spanish: Childers. |
| J811.3 | King honors poet and critic: the first so that he will honor the king; the second, so that he will not dishonor him. Spanish: Childers. |
| J2227.1 | King ignorant of famine says the people can live on pulse (sugar) and rice. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J701.2 | King improves kingdom before leaving it to his sons. He leaves it smaller but much stronger and richer. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J571.3 | King in anger punishes misdeed on Easter day. Is almost killed himself in retaliation. He submits and says that he deserves this punishment for hasty action. *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 256. |
| J347.2 | King lays aside crown since it brings too many cares. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J816.1.1 | King living apart from wife brought to sense of duty by philosopher. Asks if there is harmony among the cities and republics of Greece: philosopher tells him to ask it of his own house. Spanish: Childers. |
| J817.2.1 | King makes absurd statement about flowers. Flatterer agrees: it is the king he serves, not the wretched flowers. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J52 | King observes retaliation among animals: becomes just. Dog breaks fox's foot; man breaks dog's; horse breaks man's leg; horse steps in hole and breaks his. Chauvin II, 116 No. 93. |
| J915 | King of humble lineage cannot be flattered. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J951.5 | King of jackals captured because of his large banner. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J1873.4 | King orders houses built to keep howling jackals warm in winter. Rascal misappropriates funds. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J912.1 | King orders piece of cloth shown after his death. The measure of all that he has taken with him to the grave. Herbert III 10; *Crane Vitry 185 No. 119; Krappe Bulletin Hispanique XXXIX 24; Wesselski Mönchslatein 67 No. 54; Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J221.1 | King overlooks wife's unfaithfulness rather than to cause troubles of state. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 207. |
| J146.1 | King prefers educated men as company. Pauli (ed. Bolte) Nos. 95, 98, 106. |
| J1198.1 | King promises thieves pardon for confession: pleased with their cleverness. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J171.2.3 | King questions six doctors: what do you like best of all on earth? That all evil and hypocrisy will have an end. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 107. |
| J171.2.2 | King questions six doctors: what do you like best of all on earth? That all joys are mixed with sorrow. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 107. |
| J171.2.1 | King questions six doctors: what do you like best of all on earth? That man has not what he wishes to have. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 107. |
| J171.2.6 | King questions six doctors: what must you most marvel at on earth? That man lives in a state in which he cannot die. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 107. |
| J171.2.4 | King questions six doctors: what must you most marvel at on earth? That those who are most respected are the biggest fools. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 107. |
| J171.2.5 | King questions six doctors: what must you most marvel at on earth? That those who speak of spiritual matters are usually the most depraved. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 107. |
| J171.2 | King questions six doctors. |
| J215.1.2 | King refuses to exile gossipers. They would defame him among strangers. At home they serve to test the king's patience and to reform his life. Spanish: Childers. |
| J912.2 | King refuses to have fine tomb erected for him since his stay on earth is so unimportant. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J411.9.1 | King refuses to quarrel with bird. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| J571.5 | King restrained from hasty judgment by being told story. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J372 | King ridiculed for inventing trifle of musical instrument but praised for constructing a great mosque. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J2103.2.1 | King ruins his garden to get rid of viper. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J1085.3 | King sees poor man far happier than himself. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J914 | King shows humility by mingling with common people. |
| J1189.3 | King substitutes for condemned man when he is told that whoever is executed that day is destined to become king in his next birth. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J634 | King takes measures against assassination. |
| J634.2 | King to avoid possible assassination has queen's quarters searched before he enters. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J634.1 | King to avoid possible assassination singes his beard rather than have barber shave him. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J1289.20 | King to smoker: "Even donkeys will have nothing to do with tobacco." Smoker: "Donkeys don't know how to enjoy themselves." India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J245.2 | King who experiences the cultural civilization of an empire in dream would rather be poor and primitive. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J1675.1.1 | King's attention attracted by fighting when it cannot be otherwise gained. *Chauvin VII 162 No. 439 n. 1. |
| J1675.3 | King's capriciousness censured: the ass in the stream. A nobleman seeing an ass letting water in a river remarks that it reminds him of his king. He explains to the king that just as the ass puts water where it is already plentiful, so the king awards wealth where it is not needed. The king says that it is all in the nature of the nobleman's fate. Subsequent events prove this. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 836; Boccaccio Decameron X No. 1; Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| J1652 | Kissing the mother first. Oracle that the first of three sons to kiss his mother will be king. One of them kisses the earth, mother of all. He succeeds. *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 171. |
| J643.2 | Kite as king of chickens. Herbert III 35. |
| J514.1 | Kite tries to carry off so many partridges that he drops them all. Herbert III 40ff.; Hervieux IV 211 No. 38; Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J512.2 | Kite tries to neigh like a horse. Loses his voice and gains nothing. Wienert FFC LVI *46 (ET 52), 90 (ST 27); Halm Aesop No. 170. |
| J581.5 | Kites and crows quarrel over division of wounded fox. Meantime fox escapes. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J411.9 | Knight disregards insult by servant. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| J155.7 | Knowledge from mysterious women met in the forest. Icelandic: Herrmann Saxo II 218ff.; *Boberg. |
| J2161.3 | Lacing the shoes. Fool laces bedcovering to shoe. Irish myth: Cross. |
| J142 | Lack of proper education regretted. |
| J751.1.1 | Lady answers queen so straightforwardly she gets light punishment. Heptameron No. 21. |
| J391.1 | Lamb chooses her foster-mother, the she-goat. Owes more to her than to her own mother, who has deserted her. Wienert FFC LVI 63 (ET 259), 145 (ST 507). |
| J216.2 | Lamb prefers to be sacrificed in temple rather than to be eaten by a wolf. Wienert FFC LVI 51 (ET 107), 115 (ST 253); Halm Aesop No. 273. |
| J1391.6 | Lame excuse: one cannot drink because he has no teeth. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J1141.1.1 | Largest part of a prize to go to the guilty man. In order to obtain the prize, he confesses the earlier crime. *Type 785; *BP II 149; *Chauvin VIII 101 No. 73; Africa (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 65 No. 9. Cf. American Negro: Harris Friends 160 No. 22. |
| J1784.1 | Laughter of boy thought to be spirits' laughter. Africa (Masai): Fuchs 21ff. No. 4. |
| J411.7 | Laurel and olive tree scorn thornbush as umpire in their dispute as to who is most useful. Wienert FFC LVI 43 (ET 12), 74 (ET 392), 92 (ST 46). |
| J2046 | Law student forgets his speech. Absurd results. Nouvelles Récréations No. 76. |
| J2314 | Layman made to believe that he is a monk. *Type 1406; *Bédier Fabliaux 265, 468; Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 866; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Italian Novella: *Rotunda. |
| J1734 | Layman's ignorance of medicine. |
| J713.1 | Lazy boy vainly asks God of the Seasons to delay the plowing season. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J67.1 | Lazy pupil determines to be more diligent by watching man building home one wattle at a time, and seeing how water fills hole one drop at a time. Irish myth: Cross. |
| J1011 | Lazy woman resumes her work. She sees how a little bird by persistence pecks a hole in a stone. Type 843. |
| J2226 | Learn to swim before going into the water. Type 1293; Russian: Andrejev No. 1292*. |
| J252 | Learned person worth two unlearned. Latter wastes time, former not. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. *2445. |
| J1803 | Learned words misunderstood by uneducated. |
| J124 | Learning the virtue of patience from children. When their meals are stolen, they quietly search for them. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J762 | Leave a loophole for escape. |
| J1556 | Lender repays borrower for deceptive loan. |
| J411.10 | Leopard ashamed of having been bitten by lizard. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J356 | Less inconvenience in fighting though tired than in losing all for a little rest. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J2227 | Let them eat cake. The queen has been told that the peasants have no bread. Type 1446*; Bolte Montanus 601 No. 48. |
| J2528 | Letter believed against clear evidence. Fool believes letter apparently reporting his uncle's death, though he has just seen uncle. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J1738.6 | Letting in the light. Backwoods preacher tells couple that they are living in darkness. The woman responds that she has been trying for years to get her husband to cut a window in the house. U.S.: *Baughman. |
| J1262.4 | Levity regarding biblical passages. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| J1262.4.1 | Levity regarding the paternoster. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| J1261.1 | Levity toward name of God. |
| J815.1 | Liar rewarded by the apes. King of apes asks visitors how they like his children (courtiers). Truthful visitor tells that they are very ugly, and is punished. Liar praises their beauty and receives reward. *Types 48*, 68**; *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 381; *Gerber MLN IV (1889) 479; Wienert FFC LVI 47 (ET 53), 104 (ST 168); Alphabet No. 33; Scala Celi No. 36. |
| J2101.1 | Lighting the cat's tail. Woman wishing to punish a cat fastens cotton to its tail and lights it. The whole village is burnt. Clouston Noodles 65; Wesselski Märchen 251 No. 59; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2271.2.1 | Lightning made from the old moon. *Wesselski Hodscha Nasreddin I 236 No. 109. |
| J1265.1 | Like Christ on Palm Sunday. Bishop has parson to dinner in the seat of honor. The parson fears that the dinner precedes punishment. Parson: "Don't let me be like Christ on Palm Sunday in Jerusalem" *Wesselski Arlotto I 173 No. 2. |
| J218.1 | Lion and wild boar make peace rather than slay each other for benefit of vulture. Wienert FFC LVI 48 (ET 72), 108 (ST 202); Halm Aesop No. 253. |
| J421.1 | Lion as king makes ass his lieutenant. *Basset RTP VI 244. |
| J643.3 | Lion as king of animals reinstated after elephant is tired. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J881.2 | Lion comforted for his fear of the cock. Finds that elephant is afraid of the gnat. Wienert FFC LVI 77 (ET 428), 116 (ST 267); Halm Aesop No. 261. |
| J811.1.1 | Lion divides the booty. Best part goes to himself as king of beasts; second, as strongest; third, as most valiant; fourth—"touch it if you dare." Wienert FFC LVI *59 (ET 216), *148 (ST 530); Halm Aesop No 258; *K. Gorski Die Fabel vom Löwenanteil in ihrer geschichtlichen Entwicklung (Berlin, 1888). |
| J321.3 | Lion leaves sleeping hare to follow the shepherd. Loses both victims. Wienert FFC LVI 51 (ET 105), 106 (ST 180); Halm Aesop No. 254. |
| J413.1 | Lion licks sick man, who is thereby disgusted. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J421.2 | Lion makes lame goat his lieutenant. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J225.2 | Lion sent to kill a man: frees him from possibility of sinning and sojourn in purgatory. *Type 759; Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 682. |
| J642.1 | Lion suitor allows his teeth to be pulled and his claws to be cut. He is then killed. Wienert FFC LVI 45 (ET 32), 70 (ET 344), 107 (ST 198); Halm Aesop No. 249; *Basset RTP XXVI 126; Africa: Weeks Jungle 450. |
| J1786.7 | Lion thinks man astride him is monster: frightened. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J1758.5 | Lion thought to be donkey: drunkard rides it. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2614.3 | Lions flee because of the crowing of white cock, elephants because of swine's grunting. Icelandic: FSS 69—71, Boberg. |
| J1486 | Listening to the debate. A lazy youth explains his late rising by saying that he lay abed to hear the argument between industry and laziness. *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 761; Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| J2461.1 | Literal following of instructions about actions. |
| J2461.2 | Literal following of instructions about greetings. Numskull gives wrong greeting and is told how to give the correct one. When he tries it, however, the conditions are wrong. *Type 1696; *Wesselski Hodscha Nasreddin I 251f. No. 169; Missouri French: Carrière; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| J2466 | Literal following of the count. |
| J2461.1.6 | Literal fool carries the harrow in his hand. He has killed a sparrow by his stupidity and has been told that he should have carried it in his hand. *Type 1696; *BP I 315; *Wesselski Bebel I 128 No. 26. |
| J2469.5.1 | Literal fool feeds dogflesh to visitor to follow father's advice: "Feed him on food you have never eaten in your life." India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2461.1.4.1 | Literal fool is told to cook a few peas for five persons. Cooks five peas. Next time he is told to cook an abundance. Cooks half-bushel. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| J2461.1.4.2 | Literal fool puts three empty measures in pot. Told to put in three measures of rice to boil. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| J2461.1.5 | Literal fool strangles the hawk. On last trip he has lost the gloves and has been told that he should have put them in his bosom. He puts the hawk inside his shirt. *Type 1696; *BP I 315; *Wesselski Bebel I 128 No. 26; *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 762. |
| J2499 | Literal fool—additional motifs. |
| J2490 | Literal fool—miscellaneous. |
| J2469.5 | Literal fool—something you have never experienced. |
| J2461.6 | Literal fool: fool told to follow his nose in a journey, runs head against tree, climbs it. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2450 | Literal fool. |
| J2516.0.1 | Literal misconstruction of order. Hero gets revenge. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2461.1.4 | Literal numskull cuts peas into four parts. Told that he should have cut up the pancakes which he has eaten whole. Wesselski Bebel I 128 No. 27. |
| J2461.1.8 | Literal numskull destroys inherited property since his sister has instructions not to object to his actions. Africa (Hausa): Mischlich 164ff. No. 22 (=Frobenius Atlantis IX 277ff., 287ff., Nos. 74, 75). |
| J2461.1.1 | Literal numskull drags jar (bacon) on string. He has sent a pig home alone. Told that he should have led it by a string. *Type 1696; Fb "potte" II 867a; *BP I 315; Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 141 No. 1703, Espinosa III 147. |
| J2461.1.2 | Literal numskull is gay at a fire. He has wept at a wedding and been told to be gay. Clouston Noodles 130; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| J2461.2.1 | Literal numskull kisses a pig. Told that he should have kissed the old woman. *Type 1696; *BP III 145. |
| J2461.3 | Literal numskull laughs at his child's death. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2461.1.2.1 | Literal numskull sings entertaining songs on approach of death. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| J2461.1.3 | Literal numskull throws water on roasting pig. Told that he should have thrown water in the fire when the house burnt. Clouston Noodles 130. |
| J2469.5.2 | Literal obedience: soldier breaks woman's oil pot in two with sword when she asks him to show her something she never has seen in life. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J2460 | Literal obedience. Gaster Oldest Stories 167; India: *Thompson-Balys; Indonesia: DeVries's list No. 282. |
| J1161.5 | Literal penance: boy outwits pope. For three years not to drink wine, not to lie in bed, nor sleep with a prostitute. He goes to a convent, sleeps on eider down, and sleeps with the nuns. (God's daughters). When the pope condemns him he says he will go to his brother-in-law (Christ: he has wedded God's daughters). (Cf. J1764.5.) *Fb "nonne" II 693; Danish: Kristensen Jyske Folkeminder VII No. 36. |
| J1161 | Literal pleading: letter of law has been met. |
| J1293.1 | Little bird as large bird's mate. A large bird wishes to mate with a little bird. The latter says that she is going to swallow a large eel. The large bird sees the absurdity of his proposal. Indonesia: DeVries's list No. 104. |
| J262.2 | Little coin in empty bottle noisy. Jewish: Neuman. |
| J321.2 | Little fish in the net kept rather than wait for uncertainty of greater catch. Wienert FFC LVI 66 (ET 308), 105 (ST 176); Halm Aesop No. 28; Jacobs Aesop 212 No. 53; Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| J493 | Little men preferred to big men. Preacher prefers small men because the intellect has difficulty in reaching to one's heels. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| J1738.2 | Living crucifix chosen. Peasants take their old crucifix to an artist for a new one. The artist asks them whether they want a living or dead crucifix. Argument: living God takes less for upkeep and he can be killed later. *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 409; Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| J1761.7 | Living toad or beetles thought to be lost food and therefore eaten by numskulls. Christensen DF XLVII 188, 199 Nos. 13, 31. |
| J512.9 | Lizard tries to make himself as long as snake. Kills himself. Wienert FFC LVI 58 (ET 189), 93 (ST 62); Halm Aesop No. 388. |
| J1552 | Loans refused. |
| J1762.7 | Lobsters mistaken for Norwegians. Christensen DF XLVII 206 No. 56. |
| J2210 | Logical absurdity based upon certain false assumptions. |
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