Folklore Database · Browse
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 |
|---|---|
| Q0 | Rewards and punishments. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q1 | Hospitality rewarded—opposite punished. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q1.1 | Gods (saints) in disguise reward hospitality and punish inhospitality. Usually the hospitable person is poor, the inhospitable rich. *Types 750AB, 751, 750*; *BP II 210, III 206; Aarne FFC XXIII 46; *Dh II 117; *Fb "Sankt Peder" III 164b, "rig" III 55a. — Spanish: Espinosa II No. 86, III Nos. 168—171, Espinosa Jr. No. 181; India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 656; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| Q2 | Kind and unkind. Churlish person disregards requests of old person (animal) and is punished. Courteous person (often youngest brother or sister) complies and is rewarded. *Types 361, 403, 431, 440, 480, 513, 550, 551, 554, 570, 571, 577, 610, 620, 707, 750**, 287**; *BP I 86, 99, 207, 503, II 21, 39, 380, 394, 427, III 84, 267, 276; **Roberts; *Cox Cinderella 481; MacCulloch Childhood 61; *Saintyves Perrault 10. — Irish: O'Suilleabhain 18; French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 15; Missouri French: Carrière; Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 75 No. 594, Espinosa II No. 86, III Nos. 141—143, 153, Espinosa Jr. Nos. 117, 183, 202—204; Italian: Basile Pentamerone III No. 10, IV No. 7, V No. 2; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham; Japanese: Anesaki 318f., Ikeda; Korean: Zong in-Sob 32 No. 15, 46 No. 27; Indonesia: DeVries's list No. 172, Dixon 210; Tuamotu: Stimson MS (z-G. 13/167); N. A. Indian: *Thompson CColl II 383, 386ff., 432, *Thompson Tales 276 n. 18b, (California): Gayton and Newman 95; Africa: Werner African 138ff., 204, 208, 210, (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 89 No. 16, (Benga): Nassau 213 No. 23, (Ekoi): Talbot 237, 280, (Kaffir): Theal 48, 52, (Basuto): Jacottet 140, 146, 224, (Yoruba): Ellis 244 No. 1, (Fjort): Dennett 121f., (Ibo, Nigeria): Basden 282, (Duala): Lederbogen JAS IV 70, Märchen 84; Cape Verde Islands: Parsons MAFLS XV (1) 125 No. 44. |
| Q3 | Moderate request rewarded; immoderate punished. India: Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Ikeda; West Indies: Flowers 566. |
| Q3.1 | Woodsman and the gold axe. A woodsman lets his axe fall into the water. Hermes comes to his rescue. Takes out a gold axe but the woodsman says that it is not his. The same with a silver axe. Finally he is given his own axe and rewarded for his modest choice. His companion tries this plan and loses his axe. Wienert FFC LVI 79* (ET 449), 139 (ST 444); Halm Aesop No. 308; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 729*; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 34 No. 20; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| Q3.2 | Lion divides slain bullock. The thief who demands half of the bullock driven off; the traveler who modestly withdraws invited to take half. Wienert FFC LVI 70 (ET 342), 140 (ST 459). |
| Q4 | Humble rewarded, haughty punished. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q5 | Laziness punished; industry rewarded. |
| Q5.1 | Lazy jackal punished; industrious pig rewarded. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q5.2 | Lazy owl punished; industrious hummingbird rewarded. Africa (Wute): Sieber 200. |
| Q6 | Good thoughts rewarded, bad punished. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 186f. |
| Q6.1 | Foolishness brings a man to death, quiet calm to fortune. Africa (Wakweli): Bender 92f. |
| Q7 | Deity descends and makes king and wronged subject change places. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 425. |
| Q10 | Deeds rewarded. |
| Q20 | Piety rewarded. Irish: *Cross, O'Suilleabhain 120, Beal XXI 336; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: *Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 1153; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 70. |
| Q20.1 | Reward for service of god, hero, or ascetic for a period. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q20.2 | Fulfillment of precepts rewarded. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q21 | Reward for religious sacrifice. India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 427. |
| Q21.1 | Old woman gives her only cow believing she would receive a hundred in return from God. A bishop hearing of her faith sends her a hundred cows. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q22 | Reward for faith. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| Q23 | Reward for securing converts. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q25 | Reward for carrying Christ across a stream. Christ is in the form of a child. (St. Christopher.) *Type 768; Dh II 266; Legenda Aurea (ed. Graesse) 432; *Schwickert Zs. f. Vksk. NF III 14—26; Klapper Erzählungen des Mittelalters 111 No. 101; *Loomis White Magic 114. |
| Q25.1 | Boy risks life to carry leper across stream. Leper is Christ in disguise. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q26 | Keeping fast rewarded. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q27 | Reward for faith: boy doomed to die saved (miraculously). India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q28 | Reward for religious pilgrimage. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 188 No. 28. |
| Q32 | Reward for offering food to crucifix (Madonna). BP III 474ff. |
| Q33 | Reward for saying of prayers. (Cf. V50.) Ward II 621 No. 30; Scala Celi 136b No. 760; Jewish: *Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| Q34 | Reward for austerities of hermit. (Cf. Q144.1.) The further he must carry water, the greater his heavenly reward. Scala Celi 15a No. 84; Oesterley No. 80; *A. E. Schönbach Die Legende von Engel und Waldbruder (Wien, 1901); India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| Q35 | Reward for writing hymn. (Cf. Q172.5.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q36 | Reward for repentance. (Cf. Q174.1.) Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q36.1 | Reward for confession of sins. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q37 | Reward for carrying out dead man's request. Chinese: Graham. |
| Q38 | Reward for attendance on holy man. (Cf. Q116.1.) Jewish: Neuman; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 83, 158, 163f. |
| Q39 | Piety rewarded—miscellaneous. |
| Q39.1 | Asceticism rewarded. (Cf. V462.) Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 500, II 750. |
| Q40 | Kindness rewarded. *Chauvin VI 109 No. 274 n. 2; Irish: Beal XXI 304; Missouri French: Carrière; Greek: Fox 200 (Phaon); Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 362; Chinese: Graham, Eberhard FFC CXX 132 No. 87; Africa (Bankon): Ittman 83, (Bulu): Krug 109, (Duala): Lederbogen JAS IV 71. |
| Q41 | Politeness rewarded. *Roberts 173; Icelandic: Boberg; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "politesse"; Missouri French: Carrière; Spanish: Espinosa III No. 152, Espinosa Jr. Nos. 117, 130, 183; Italian: Basile Pentamerone IV Nos. 7, 8. |
| Q41.1 | Ogre appeased by being called uncle (aunt, etc.). India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q41.2 | Reward for cleansing loathsome person. Cleansing eyelids, bathing, lousing etc. *Roberts 168; Type 480; Africa (Chaga): Gutmann 132ff. No. 83, (Alo): Pratt-Chadwick and Lamprey The Alo Man (New York, 1927) 17ff., (Batanga): Nassau JAFL XXVIII 45ff. No. 16, (Bulu): Krug JAFL XXV 113 No. 9, (Bambara): Travélé 205ff. No. 66, (Hausa): Equilbecq Contes indigènes III 291ff., Tremearne Hausa Superstitions and Customs (London, 1913) 424ff. No. 93. |
| Q42 | Generosity rewarded. *Chauvin V 14 No. 68; *Penzer VIII 130ff.; Irish myth: Cross; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "charité"; Spanish: Keller, Espinosa III No. 152, Espinosa Jr. Nos. 202—204, 210; India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 897, 904, 934, 988; Tahiti: Beckwith Myth 38. |
| Q42.1 | Spendthrift knight. Divides his last penny. He is later helped by the grateful person. *Types 508, 592, 665; BP II 490ff., Scala Celi 81b No. 467; *Hibbard 73, 79; Alphabet No. 291; Japanese: Anesaki 320. |
| Q42.1.1 | Child divides last loaf with fairy (witch, etc.). Rewarded. Hdwb. d. Märchens I 396b; *Roberts 150, 169. |
| Q42.1.1.1 | Reward for giving last loaf. Chinese: Graham. |
| Q42.1.2 | Man who divides his food with beggar is later freed from captivity by him. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q42.1.3 | Excessive hospitality causes chieftain to become poor. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q42.2 | Reward for providing coffins for poor. Chinese: Werner 384. |
| Q42.3 | Generosity to saint (god) in disguise rewarded. (Cf. Q1, Q45.1.) Alphabet Nos. 297, 344, 365; Scala Celi 39b No. 222; Irish: Beal XXI 304, 325, O'Suilleabhain 2, 68; Spanish: Keller, Espinosa II No. 86, III Nos. 168—171, Espinosa Jr. Nos. 83—85, 181f., 210; India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 485; Chinese: Graham. |
| Q42.4 | Man frees slave (incognito prince): rewarded when slave becomes king. Italian Novella: *Rotunda. |
| Q42.4.1 | Slave freed as reward for killing enemy's two slaves, and given as much land as he can cultivate in three days. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q42.5 | Reward for generosity to king's buffoon. Ruler rewards herald who is generous to his buffoon. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q42.6 | Reward for tearing out eye when demanded. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q42.7 | Reward for remitting tribute. (Cf. Q172.7.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q42.8 | Saint gives a man all his credit for good deeds so that the man may go to heaven. Saint is then rewarded with even greater credit. (Cf. Q172.) Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q42.9 | Cobbler gives new pair of shoes to poor boy and says: "You can pay me when you become archbishop." Generously rewarded many years later. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q43 | Reward for giving counsel. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q44 | Reward for almsgiving. Scala Celi 81b, 83a Nos. 465, 472; Alphabet 298, 302; Crane Vitry 175 No. 96; Spanish: Keller, Espinosa II No. 86, Espinosa Jr. No. 200; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 134, 342, II 1091, 1366; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| Q44.1 | Reward to almsgiving monk given in form of restored honor and position. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q44.2 | Man pardoned for short accounts when it is learned that he has given the money to the poor as alms. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q44.3 | One rupee given away for charity incidentally brings back ten rupees. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q45 | Hospitality rewarded. Scala Celi 51b, 81b, 83b, 104b, 152b, 158a, 164b Nos. 290, 466, 477, 569, 839, 884, 926; Alphabet No. 368; Irish myth: *Cross; Swiss: Jegerlehner Oberwallis 323 No. 95; Spanish: Espinosa III No. 152, Espinosa Jr. Nos. 181f.; Italian Novella: *Rotunda; India: Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 455, 989; Africa (Loango): Pechuël-Loesche 110, (Kaffir): Kidd 251 No. 13, (Ekoi): Talbot 208. |
| Q45.1 | Angels entertained unawares. Hospitality to disguised saint (angel, god) rewarded. (Cf. Q42.3.) *Dh II 133ff.; *bin Gorion Born Judas I 366; Scala Celi 39b, 81b Nos. 221, 464, 468; Alphabet Nos. 167, 365, 439; Herbert III 392; Literary treatment: Lowell "Vision of Sir Launfal". — Irish: Cross, O'Suilleabhain 90; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 752B*; Spanish: Keller, Espinosa Jr. Nos. 181f.; Greek: Pauly-Wissowa s.v. "Baukis"; India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 35; Japanese: Anesaki 251f.; N. A. Indian (Maliseet): Mechling JAFL XXVI 219ff.; Africa (Konnoh): Willans 140. |
| Q45.1.1 | Three Nephites give blessings as reward for hospitality. (Mormon tradition.) **H. Lee, The Three Nephites: the Substance and Significance of the Legend in Folklore (Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1949). |
| Q45.1.2 | King refuses to invite Patrick to feast. Poor man kills only cow and uses his only measure of meal to entertain Patrick. Patrick blesses his wife and son. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q45.1.3 | Hospitality to saint repaid: neither he nor his posterity will ever be hurt by venomous creatures. *Loomis White Magic 131. |
| Q45.2 | Hospitality to devil repaid. *Type 821A; Christiansen Norske Eventyr 105. |
| Q45.2.1 | Man saves the unrecognized devil from thunder and is generously rewarded. Estonian, Swedish, and Lithuanian: *Balys Tautosakos Darbai VI 27—31; Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges. |
| Q45.3 | Hospitality to ascetic rewarded. Buddhist Myth: Malalasekera II 221, 604, 656, 775. |
| Q45.3.1 | Hospitality to monk rewarded. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 819. |
| Q45.4 | Revenge given up as reward for hospitality. (Cf. Q151.6.) Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q45.5 | Hospitality repaid by attack on devastating enemy. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q45.6 | Hospitality repaid by magic procuring of provisions. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q46 | Reward for protecting fugitive. |
| Q46.1 | Reward for protecting holy fugitive. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3104, Legends Nos. 198—206; Greek: Frazer Apollodorus II 280 n. 1. |
| Q47 | Kindness to orphans repaid by dead parents. Jewish: Neuman; Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 99. |
| Q51 | Kindness to animals rewarded. Jewish: *Neuman; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 83, Africa (Wakweli): Bender 87f., (Wute): Sieber 197, (Fang): Tessman 196. |
| Q51.1 | Knight covers foal with his coat to protect it from storm. English: Wells 60 (Sire Gawene and the Carle of Carelyle). |
| Q51.2 | Reward for kindness to tiger. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q53 | Reward for rescue. Icelandic: *Boberg; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| Q53.1 | Disguised king rewards rescuer from robbers. (Cf. K1812.) *BP III 450ff. |
| Q53.2 | Magic shirt and information about sought robbers as reward for rescue of poor fisherman. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q53.2.1 | Plenty of fishes as reward for rescue. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q53.3 | Maiden queen offers her hand as reward for rescuing her town. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q53.3.1 | Maiden gives her hand and riches to man who rescues her from trap. Africa (Loango): Pechuël-Loesche 109. |
| Q54 | Uprightness rewarded. (Cf. Q151.7.) |
| Q54.1 | Ruler tries in vain to intimidate judge. Rewards him with high post. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q54.2 | Captive knight freed for having kept his word. Is allowed to leave to collect ransom (or marry fiancée). When he returns his captor frees him (or raises ransom). Italian Novella: *Rotunda. |
| Q55 | Reward for sparing life when in animal form. Hartland Science 51; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q56 | Love rewarded. |
| Q56.1 | Ruler rewards man's love for his captive wife with riches and freedom. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q56.2 | Ruler rewards captives' love for each other. Sets them free and enriches them. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q56.3 | Queen rewards love of man of low lineage by making him an ambassador. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q57 | Attendance on the sick rewarded. Africa (Duala): Lederbogen JAS IV 66, Märchen 83. |
| Q57.1 | Reward for shielding Mary in childbirth from gaze of onlookers. Irish: O'Suilleabhain 5. |
| Q60 | Other good qualities rewarded. |
| Q61 | Self-abnegation rewarded. (Cf. L200.) Irish myth: Cross; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: Neuman. |
| Q61.1 | Monk who did not ask for position made abbot. He is given the bribe money paid by other ambitious monks. Wesselski Mönchslatein 124 No. 107; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q61.2 | Devil spares abbot because of humility. Scala Celi 104b No. 570. |
| Q62 | Reward for ability to keep secrets. Type 480; *Roberts 159; Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 178. |
| Q64 | Patience rewarded. (Cf. W26.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| Q65 | Filial duty rewarded. Jewish: *Neuman; Chinese: Graham; Tonga: Gifford 34. |
| Q65.1 | Supplying food to ungrateful stepmother rewarded. (Cf. Q151.2.) Africa (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 129 No. 23. |
| Q66 | Humility rewarded. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q66.1 | Humility before saint (god) in disguise rewarded. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q67 | Kingly duty rewarded. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q68 | Integrity rewarded. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q68.1 | Truth-speaking rewarded. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q68.2 | Honesty rewarded. Finnish-Swedish: Hackman FFC VI No. 940*; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 941*; Chinese: Graham. |
| Q72 | Loyalty rewarded. Jewish: Neuman. |
| Q72.1 | Reward for loyalty to king. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q80 | Rewards for other causes. |
| Q81 | Reward for perseverance. Penzer II 97. |
| Q81.1 | Nobleman's perseverance wins him coveted place on reserved bench. Elected upon the death of one of its occupants. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q82 | Reward for fearlessness. Reward given by devil or ghost. *Type 326; Penzer VII 120 n. 2; Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: Boberg; India: Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| Q82.1 | Snake helps girl who permits it to wind itself around her body. Africa (Rozwi): Posselt Fables of the Veld (London, 1929) 39ff., (Thonga): Junod 248ff., Berthoud ZsES XXI 154f. No. 10. |
| Q82.2 | Ferocious animal (lion, tiger, etc.) rewards man who does not fear it. Africa (Congo): Christaller Handbuch der Duala-Sprache (Basel, 1892) 68ff. |
| Q83 | Reward for marital fidelity. (Cf. Q87.) Jewish: Moreno Esdras, Neuman. |
| Q83.1 | Reward for wife's fidelity. India: Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 845. |
| Q84 | Reward for stoic endurance of pain. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q85 | Reward for asking proper questions. Irish myth: *Cross; Welsh: MacCulloch Celtic 203. |
| Q86 | Reward for industry. Hdwb. d. Märchens II 66a; India: *Thompson-Balys; West Indies: Flowers 567. |
| Q86.1 | Reward to ant for industry. Ant has food all winter because she keeps it safe and dry by airing it in the sun. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q87 | Reward for preservation of chastity. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman, Moreno Esdras. |
| Q87.1 | Ruler marries maiden who has repulsed his advances. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q87.1.1 | Spurned ruler has the maiden marry highest ranking knight. Italian Novella: *Rotunda. |
| Q87.1.2 | Married woman spurns king's offer of marriage. King honors her husband. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q87.1.3 | Spurned suitor is offered girl by her mother. He rewards her refusal by a gift of money. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q87.2 | Courtier rewarded for resisting princess's advances. When her father learns of the affair he rewards the courtier and has him marry his daughter. Italian Novella: *Rotunda. |
| Q87.3 | Reward for long-suffering nun: made abbess of convent. Heptameron No. 22. |
| Q88 | Reward for proficiency. |
| Q88.1 | Fra Lippo Lippi is freed by Moors because of his greatness as a painter. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q88.2 | Princess kisses ugly poet while he sleeps. Kisses not the ugly face but the divine mouth. Italian Novella: *Rotunda. |
| Q91 | Reward for cleverness. |
| Q91.1 | Princess given in marriage to clever thief. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q91.2 | King rewards scullion for bon-mot. Makes him a valet. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| Q91.3 | King rewards poem. (Cf. Q112.0.1.2, Q411.10.1.) Icelandic: *Boberg; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q91.4 | Answer rewarded with gold ring; message rewarded with purse with silver. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q93 | Reward for supernatural help. |
| Q93.1 | Reward for bringing rain. Chinese: Graham. |
| Q93.2 | Reward for resuscitating dead. (Cf. E0.) Chinese: Graham. |
| Q94 | Reward for cure. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q95 | Reward for musician. |
| Q95.1 | Reward for flute-playing. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 70. |
| Q100 | Nature of rewards. |
| Q101 | Reward fitting to deed. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q101.1 | Reward like deed: liberal and munificent girl blessed with riches and prosperity. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q110 | Material rewards. |
| Q111 | Riches as reward. *Roberts 190; Irish myth: *Cross; Spanish: Espinosa Jr. Nos. 132, 181; Jewish; Neuman; Chinese: Graham; Africa (Wakweli): Bender 88. |
| Q111.1 | Hero made business partner of rich man. English: Wells 175 (The Childe of Bristowe). |
| Q111.2 | Riches as reward (for hospitality). (Cf. Q45.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q111.3 | Riches as reward for help against robbers. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q111.4 | Gold ring as reward. (Cf. Q91.3, Q91.4.) Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q111.5 | Giant gives gold, silver and weapon as reward for good advice. (Cf. Q113.1, Q114.) Icelandic: örvar-Odds saga 124—125. |
| Q111.6 | Treasure as reward. Chinese: Graham. |
| Q111.7 | Jewels as reward. Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham. |
| Q111.8 | Large quantity of land as reward. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| Q112 | Half of kingdom as reward. *Types 575, 653; *BP II 131ff., III 45ff.; Christiansen FFC XXIV 99; *Fb "prins og prinsesse" II 876; Icelandic: Egils saga einhenda ok ásmundar Berserkjabana (FAS III) 366 (one-third of kingdom), Boberg; French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 19; Spanish: Espinosa III No. 50; Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys; N. A. Indian (Micmac): Rand 427 No. 80; Africa (Yoruba): Ellis 264. |
| Q112.0.1 | Kingdom as reward. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: *Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| Q112.0.1.1 | Kingdom as reward for piety. (Cf. Q20.) Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| Q112.0.1.2 | Kingdom as reward for poem. (Cf. Q91.3.) Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q112.0.1.3 | Kingdom as reward for finding abducted princess. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q112.0.2 | Half of property as reward. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q112.0.3 | Two thirds of kingdom as reward for finding abducted princesses. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q112.0.4 | One third of kingdom and the king's daughter as reward for getting victory-stone during the night. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q112.0.5 | Kingdom and hand of princess as reward for virtuous life. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q112.0.6 | Dominion over world as reward. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q112.0.7 | Reward: royal line of descendants. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q112.1 | Chieftainship as reward. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (z-G. 3/1142, 13/174, 420); Africa (Ganda): Baskerville 1ff., (Hausa): Mischlich 164ff. No. 22, (Bondei): Woodward FL XXXVI 367ff. No. 12. |
| Q112.2 | Reward: sovereignty for hour (day). India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| Q112.3 | Reward: seat next to king. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q113 | Knighthood as reward. English: Wells 94 (The Taill of Rauf Coilyear); and very frequently in medieval romances. |
| Q113.0.1 | High honors as reward. Chinese: Graham. |
| Q113.1 | Appointment to earldom as reward for good advice. (Cf. Q43, Q111.5.) Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q113.2 | Appointment as page as reward. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q113.3 | High position as reward for piety. (Cf. Q20.) Jewish: Neuman. |
| Q113.4 | Appointment to priesthood as reward. |
| Q113.4.1 | Institution of priests and Levites as reward for observance of Sabbath. Jewish: Neuman. |
| Q114 | Gifts as reward. (Cf. Q111.5.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q114.0.1 | Gifts made to advisor. (Cf. Q43.). Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q114.1 | Precious knife and belt as gift on unknown helper's spearshaft outside his tent. Icelandic: Göngu-Hrуlfs saga 346. |
| Q114.2 | Gifts as rewards for gifts. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q114.3 | Sword as reward. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q115 | Reward: any boon that may be asked. *Schoepperle II 420ff., 528 —541; Malone PMLA XLIII 413; Irish myth: *Cross; India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 946, 1153. |
| Q115.1 | Reward: any boon that may be asked—king's wife demanded. *Schoepperle II 420ff., 528ff.; *Krappe Revue Celtique XLVIII (1931) 94; Cross and Nitze Lancelot and Guenevere (Chicago, 1930) 31ff.; Irish myth: *Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q115.2 | King promises daughter she may marry anyone she desires. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| Q115.3 | Reward: any boon that may be asked—man asks only for son. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q116 | Favorable decree as reward. Irish myth: Cross; Icelandic: Boberg; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q116.1 | Favorable decree as reward for helping holy person. (Cf. Q38.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q121 | Freedom as reward. |
| Q121.1 | Slaves freed as reward. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q135 | Wine as reward. Twelve jars of honey-sweet wine as reward for protection. (Cf. Q46.1.) Greek: Frazer Apollodorus II 280 n. 1. |
| Q140 | Miraculous or magic rewards. |
| Q141 | Reward: man's cows magically multiply. (Cf. Q1.) Type 750B; Spanish: Espinosa Jr. No. 181; Japanese: Ikeda. |
| Q141.1 | Monks' who always shared with the poor receive supplies of flour or bread. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q141.2 | Plentiful game animals (fish) as reward. Africa (Wakweli): Bender 37; S. A. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 27f. |
| Q142 | Magic treasure as reward for humility. (Cf. Q66.1.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q143 | Superior rebirth as reward. India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 155, 167, 427, 1157, II 604, 671, 775, 904. |
| Q144 | Reward: hearing voice of God. |
| Q144.1 | Hermit as reward for austerities hears voice of God. (Cf. Q34.) Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q145 | Miraculously long life as reward. (Cf. Q151.) Greek: Fox 158 (Sarpedon); Jewish: Gaster Exempla 222 No. 179, *Neuman, Moreno Esdras (Q151.6). |
| Q145.0.1 | Reward: happiness during last year of life. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q145.1 | Miraculously long life as reward for hospitality. (Cf. Q45.1.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q145.1.1 | Health as reward for drink. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q145.2 | Miraculously long life as reward for integrity. (Cf. Q68.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q146 | Reward: end of plague. (Cf. Q552.10.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q147 | Supernatural manifestations at death of pious person. Irish: Cross, Beal XXI 317, O'Suilleabhain 46; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 1 Nos. 1—3; Spanish: Espinosa Jr. No. 186. |
| Q147.1 | Body of saint miraculously rolls over to make room in his grave for pious man. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q147.2 | Pope who has warred on wicked nobles refused burial in church. Magic wind blows doors open to show he has right to be buried there. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q147.3 | Death by kiss from God. Jewish: Neuman. |
| Q149 | Miraculous or magic reward—miscellaneous. |
| Q149.1 | Color (of animal) as reward for pious act. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q150 | Immunity from disaster as reward. |
| Q150.1 | Rescue from deluge as reward. Jewish: Moreno Esdras, *Neuman; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 81f. |
| Q150.1.1 | Lot and family rewarded by being saved from destruction of city. (Cf. Q152.) Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q150.2 | Loss of all evil and corruption as reward. Jewish: Moreno Esdras (Q151.9). |
| Q151 | Life spared as reward. |
| Q151.1 | Charitable man's death postponed. (Cf. Q42, Q145.) Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 337. |
| Q151.2 | Death passes by man who fed his stepmother. (Cf. Q65.1.) Africa (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 129 No. 23. |
| Q151.3 | Hospitable person saved from death. (Cf. Q45.1.) Dh II 134ff. |
| Q151.4 | Faithful old dog threatened with death proves his worth and is spared. BP I 425 n. 1, III 74 n. 2. |
| Q151.5 | Humble man miraculously saved from drowning. (Cf. Q4.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q151.6 | Life spared as reward for hospitality. (Cf. Q45.4.) Icelandic: Boberg. |
| Q151.7 | Life spared as reward for uprightness. (Cf. Q54.) PMLA XLVI 1004; Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q151.8 | Life spared as reward for bravery and constancy. Centurion tells his enemies to kill him rather than attempt to win him. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| Q151.9 | Resurrection as reward. Jewish: Moreno Esdras (Q151.5); Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 188 No. 128. |
| Q151.10 | Honest brahman spared by tiger. (Cf. Q68.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| Q151.11 | Man saved from lions as reward. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q151.12 | Pot of boiling oil thrown at compassionate woman does not harm her. Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 362. |
| Q151.13 | Women rewarded with their lives for excellent dancing. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (z-G. 3/1260). |
| Q152 | City saved from disaster as reward. Jewish: *Neuman; Chinese: Graham; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 63, 70. |
| Q152.1 | Hospitality of a citizen saves a city from destruction. (Cf. Q45.) Alphabet No. 368. |
| Q153 | Nature benign and fruitful during reign of good king. (Cf. Q67.) Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| Q153.1 | Cows white-headed during reign of good king. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q154 | Immunity from death by violence as reward. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q154.1 | Descendants of man who endured pain without crying out not to meet violent deaths. (Cf. Q84.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q156 | Victory as reward for piety. (Cf. Q20.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q157 | Escape of hostages miraculously prevented as reward for piety. (Cf. Q20.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q161 | Healing as reward. |
| Q161.1 | Sight restored as reward. (Cf. F952, Q42.6.) Irish myth: *Cross. |
| Q161.2 | Healing of disease as reward. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 188 No. 128. |
| Q161.3 | Hunchback healed as reward for kindness. (Cf. Q40.) Africa (Bulu): Krug 109. |
| Q162 | Invulnerability as reward for pious act. Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q170 | Religious rewards. *Krappe Bulletin Hispanique XXXIX 23; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q171 | Immunity from punishment for sin as reward. Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| Q171.1 | Forgiveness of sin for acts of charity. Alphabet No. 296; Irish: Beal XXI 332, O'Suilleabhain 101. |
| Q171.1.1 | Husband forgiven for having killed jealous wife: builds monastery and becomes monk in it. Heptameron No. 70. |
| Q172 | Reward: admission to heaven. Irish myth: *Cross; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: *Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| Q172.0.1 | Fairy minstrel asks admission to heaven as reward for playing for saint. (Cf. F262.3.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| Q172.0.2 | Rewards in heaven. Icelandic: Boberg. |
If you wish to get access to data for projects and research, then please contact us, we do our best to help
How to cite: Fielder-White, Jonathan (2026). The Folklore Database. https://folkloredatabase.com
0009-0006-1672-4451
Please cite the relevant sources, catalogues, and classification systems, including the Folklore Database, Berezkin-Duvakin Catalogue, ATU, Thompson, alongside the page accessed and the last time accessed. Please respect copyright and licenses.
Editorial annotations and database enhancements © Jonathan Fielder-White licensed under CC BY 4.0. Berezkin-Duvakin derived narrative and metadata licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Full rights information can be found here.
All rights are reserved in the database structure, selection, arrangement, metadata, classifications, software, interface design, and original editorial content.
Important: The Folklore Database expressly reserves all rights in relation to text and data mining, automated extraction, scraping, machine learning, dataset creation, and the training, development, validation, or improvement of artificial intelligence technologies or systems. No part of this website or database may be scraped, copied, reproduced, harvested, downloaded in bulk, or otherwise used for AI training or commercial data extraction without prior written permission.
Designed and Developed by Jonathan Fielder-White.
© 2024–2026 Crecganford / Jonathan Fielder-White. All rights reserved.