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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 |
|---|---|
| H1511.4 | Smoking test. Attempt to kill hero by having him smoke fatal pipe. N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 330 n. 191d. |
| H1512 | Cold test. Attempt to freeze hero to death. *Type 513; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H1515 | Poisoned food test. Attempt to kill hero by feeding him poisoned food. Type 516; *Rösch FFC LXXVII 123; Hertz Gesammelte Abhandlungen "Die Sage vom Giftmädchen"; BP I 42ff.; Herrmann Saxo II 139; India: *Thompson-Balys; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 314 n. 140. |
| H1515.1 | Attempt to poison by druids. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1515.2 | Poisoned drink test. Attempt to kill saint by giving him poisoned drink. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1515.3 | Test: food with thorns. Hero given food in which thorns are hidden. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1516 | Poisoned clothing test. Attempt to kill hero by poisoning clothing. *Type 516; *Rösch FFC LXXVII 124. |
| H1517 | Test: bite of poisonous snake. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1521 | Clam test. Hero is sent to capture a giant clam, so that he can be killed. N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 313 n. 130. |
| H1522 | Killing trees threaten hero. India: *Thompson-Balys; Tahiti: Dixon 64; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 322 n. 160. |
| H1522.1 | Bent tree test. Bent tree is released so as to tear hero to pieces. Greek: Fox 98 (Theseus); Oceanic: Dixon 321 n. 71. |
| H1525 | Clashing rocks test: hero to pass between them. S. A. Indian (Tupinamba): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 132. |
| H1531 | Spine test. Attempt to kill hero by throwing him on sharp spine or spike. N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 324 n. 168. |
| H1531.1 | Test: dancing on sharp instruments. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1531.2 | Vain attempt to kill hero on stairway set with razors. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| H1532 | Wedge test. Hero is caught in cleft of tree. N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 313 n. 129. |
| H1533 | Hanging test. Unavailing attempt to kill hero by hanging. Irish: O'Suilleabhain 44, 50, Beal XXI 316, 318; Finnish: Kalevala rune 31. |
| H1534 | Plank test. Attempt to kill hero by letting plank fall on him. Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 47 No. 325A*. |
| H1535 | Precipice test. Hero is pushed over a precipice. Irish myth: Cross; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 312 n. 122, (California): Gayton and Newman 95; Africa (Basuto): Jacottet 72 No. 11. |
| H1535.1 | Pit test. Hero thrown into pit. Africa (Benga): Nassau 217 No. 33, (Basuto): Jacottet 72 No. 11. |
| H1536 | Toboggan test. Attempt to kill hero on dangerous toboggan. N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 326 n. 173. |
| H1537 | Test: playing game with ferocious beast. |
| H1537.1 | Bear demands that heroine play Blindman's Buff. Type 480; *Roberts 175. |
| H1538 | Drowning test. Unavailing attempt to drown hero. Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Finnish: Kalevala rune 31; Eskimo (Greenland): Rasmussen III 85; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 312 n. 124. |
| H1540 | Contests in endurance. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1541 | Contest in enduring cold. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H1541.1 | Contest in enduring cold: frost and the hare. Hare tries to deceive frost by lying on frozen snow and saying, "Oh, how warm!" *Type 71; Dh III 23. |
| H1541.2 | Contest in enduring cold: wind overcomes frost. Type 1097*. |
| H1542 | Contest in enduring heat. Hdwb. d. Märchens I 194a n. 14; Icelandic: *Boberg; Melanesia: Wheeler 66. |
| H1542.1 | Contest in crossing river of fire. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1543 | Contest in remaining under water. (Cf. H1538.) Jewish: Neuman; Africa (Madagascar): Renel I 168ff. No. 30. |
| H1544 | Contest in enduring thirst. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H1545 | Contest in fasting. *Loomis White Magic 130. |
| H1550 | Tests of character. Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "épreuves"; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1550.1 | Bad character shown by the eyes. Icelandic: *Boberg; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| H1552 | Tests of generosity. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1552.1 | Which was the most generous—husband, robber, or lover? Woman has promised her lover to go to him on her wedding night. Husband lets her go. On way she meets robbers and tells her story. Robbers take her to her lover. She tells what has happened. Lover returns her immediately to her husband. *Type 976; *Köhler-Bolte I 214—216; *Chauvin VIII 123f. No. 110; Penzer VII 7ff.; Chaucer's "Franklin's Tale"; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1552.1.1 | Which was most generous—husband, lover, or magician (similar)? Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| H1552.2 | Contest in generosity. Ruler vies with minister in generosity. Minister declared loser and condemned to die. Pardoned on acknowledging defeat. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| H1553 | Tests of patience. Gaster Exempla 202 No. 84; Irish: O'Suilleabhain 37, Beal XXI 314. |
| H1553.1 | Philosopher teaches son to beg before stone statues. In this way he will acquire patience. Spanish: Childers. |
| H1553.2 | Test of patience: king accepts strong reproof and criticism. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| H1553.3 | Test of patience: those who wish to enter city gate must endure insults of old men there who mock them. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| H1553.4 | Man shows his patience by accepting blow in face with stool thrown by his superior in monastery. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| H1553.5 | Monk fails in test of patience. He tries to live alone to test it. One day he loses his temper at a cup which overturns and he breaks it. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| H1553.6 | Test of patience by asking irrelevant riddles. Jewish: Neuman. |
| H1554 | Test of curiosity. (Cf. H1557.) |
| H1554.1 | Test of curiosity: mouse in jug. The new Eve. A woman has boasted of a lack of curiosity and blamed Mother Eve. The king entertains her in his castle. She may see everything but must not look into a certain silver jug. She does so and finds a mouse in it. (Cf. H1557.2.) *Type 1416; *BP III 543 n. 1; *Crane Vitry 139 No. 13; Alphabet No. 575; *Fb "Adam" IV 3b; H. C. Andersen "Krøblingen", Danish Fairy Tales and Legends; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| H1554.2 | Test of curiosity: the clock. A man is promised a beautiful clock if he can mind his own business for a whole year. He does. The giver tells him he is the second man who almost made sure of getting the clock. The man asks how the other missed getting it; he loses the clock himself. England: Baughman. |
| H1554.3 | Test of curiosity: the paternoster. Plowman is promised a horse if he can say a paternoster without thinking of anything else. In the midst of the recitation, he asks if he will get the saddle and bridle too. He loses bargain. England: Baughman. |
| H1555 | Tests of honesty. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1555.1 | Test of honesty: man entrusted with treasure. Irish myth: Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1556 | Tests of fidelity. Irish myth: Cross; Hindu: Tawney I 86 n., 196, 357, II 57, 71, 606; Arabian: Burton Nights V 144, IX 325. |
| H1556.0.1 | Fidelity of servant tested. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1556.0.2 | Test of fidelity (loyalty) of guard. (Faithful unto death.) India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1556.1 | Test of fidelity by feigning death. English: Wells 129 (Sir Orfeo); Italian: Basile Pentamerone II No. 4; India: Thompson-Balys; West Indies: Flowers 473. |
| H1556.1.1 | Cock feigns death to see what hens will say about him. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1556.2 | Test of fidelity through submitting hero to temptations. Kittredge Gawain and the Green Knight 6ff.; Irish myth: *Cross; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1556.3 | Test of fidelity through offering suspected assassin opportunity to commit the murder. Heptameron No. 17. |
| H1556.4 | Fidelity in love tested. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1556.4.1 | Lover's fidelity tested by going to bed with mistress and only kissing. Heptameron No. 18. |
| H1556.4.2 | Lover's fidelity tested by making love to maid. Heptameron No. 18. |
| H1556.4.2.1 | Wife tests her husband's fidelity by tempting him in the guise of another woman. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1556.4.3 | Lover's fidelity tested by substituting maid in mistress's bed at assignation. He must refuse her. Heptameron No. 18. |
| H1556.4.4 | Old uncle tests nephew's fidelity by sleeping with his beloved. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H1556.4.5 | Husband's (wife's) willingness to die for mate disappears when Death seems to arrive. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 1355*. |
| H1556.4.5.1 | Old woman's willingness to die for daughter disappears when Death seems to arrive. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1556.4.6 | Rose given by supernatural wife to husband when he leaves for home will shed as many petals as times he thinks of her. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1556.5 | Test of fidelity by feigning sleep in same bed as calumniated hero or alone in the forest with him. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| H1557 | Tests of obedience. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1557.1 | Obedience of sons tested by offering them apple. They are each offered a slice of apple. The king says, "Open your mouth and receive what I give you". Eldest son insulted; youngest obeys and receives kingdom as reward. (Cf. H1558.0.1.1.) *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 368; *Crane Vitry 187 No. 123; BP III 236; Wesselski Mönchslatein 8 No. 3; Hdwb. d. Märchens I 93a n. 7. |
| H1557.2 | Adam's (Eve's) disobedience blamed: blamer immediately disobeys orders. (Cf. H1554.1.) Alphabet Nos. 574, 575. |
| H1557.3 | Old man contented till forbidden to leave city. Immediately disobeys. *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 319; Wesselski Märchen 220 No. 33. |
| H1557.4 | Pope tests women's disobedience: not to look into box. (Cf. H1554.1.) They do so and are not allowed to hear confession. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 398. |
| H1557.5 | Obedience of king's subjects tested by willingness to allow spear to be carried crosswise into houses. Way must be hewn. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1557.6 | King tests gardener's obedience by playing thief. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1558 | Tests of friendship. Icelandic: *Boberg; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H1558.0.1 | Test of worthiness for friendship. |
| H1558.0.1.1 | Apple test of worthiness for friendship. Father gives son three apples to offer to those he meets. If the man eats all, avoid him; if he divides, make friends with him. (Cf. H1557.1.) *BP II 39 n. 2, III 236; Hdwb. d. Märchens I 92b. n. 3. |
| H1558.1 | Test of friendship: the half-friend. A man kills a hog and tells his friends that he has killed a man and asks where he can hide the body. All of them drive him away and only his father's half-friend remains true to him in his feigned trouble. *Type 893; *Basset RTP XXII 10; *Crane Vitry 185f. No. 120; Herbert III 10, 55, 205; *Penzer V 87 n. 1; Alphabet No. 59; Chauvin IX 15f.; Hdwb. d. Märchens I 94b; Oesterley No. 129; Scala Celi 9a, 11b Nos. 60, 69.—Icelandic: Sveinsson FFC LXXXIII p. xix, *Boberg; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Italian Novella: *Rotunda; Jewish: bin Gorion Born Judas IV 32, *274. |
| H1558.1.1 | Of three friends the least loved proves true in emergency. Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: bin Gorion Born Judas IV 32, 275; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1558.2 | Test of friendship: substitute as murderer. A man in misery gives himself up as a murderer rather than endure further misery. His friend tries to take on himself the guilt and be substituted. The real murderer, touched by the generosity, confesses. *Chauvin IX 16 No. 2; Schiller's "Burgschaft"; Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| H1558.3 | Test of friendship: to go with one to death. Everyman. He calls in Riches, Family, etc. Only Good Deeds remains with him. *Chauvin III 101 No. 7; Jewish: *Bin Gorion Born Judas IV 226, 275; Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| H1558.4 | The hare with many friends. In the final test none help and only her legs save her. Jacobs Aesop 216 No. 70. |
| H1558.5 | Test of friendship: death feigned to test debtor friends. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| H1558.6 | Test of friendship: the imagined refusal. Man wonders if his friend would lend him his palfrey. Decides he would refuse. Imagines that he has actually asked for the palfrey and has been refused. Cools toward his friend. The owner of the horse asks for an explanation. He agrees to lend him the horse and they are reconciled. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| H1558.7 | Test of friendship: the power of money. Spendthrift loses his friends in poverty. Italian Novella: Rotunda; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1558.7.1 | Sultan takes disguise of beggar to test friends. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1558.7.2 | Friends desert when man reports loss of his money. England: Baughman. |
| H1558.8 | Friends refuse to fight against each other. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H1558.8.1 | Sword too heavy to lift against a friend. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H1558.9 | Pregnant wife left in charge of friend. Icelandic: Lagerholm 129ff., Boberg. |
| H1558.10 | Friendship kept up even during sons' jealousy and enmity. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H1558.11 | Test of friendship: to take a slap publicly from friend. Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| H1558.12 | Test of friendship: mourner says dead husband can be touched only by sinless person; volunteers for cremating body immediately disperse. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1558.13 | Test of friendship: loyalty to condemned friend. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1561 | Tests of valor. Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| H1561.1 | Tests of valor: tournament. English: Hibbard 229, Wells 151 (Coer de Lyon); Icelandic: *Boberg; Jewish: Neuman. |
| H1561.2 | Single combat to prove valor. *Chauvin V 21 n. 1; Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| H1561.2.1 | Holmgang. Single combat on an island. *Schoepperle II 338ff.; English: Wells 32 (Layamon's Brut); Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| H1561.2.2 | Fight with father's old friend, though only to mention who he is would assure the youth a friendly reception. Icelandic: Þiðriks saga I 222—32, Boberg. |
| H1561.2.3 | Combats at fords. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1561.3 | Test of valor: not flinching under a blow. Kittredge Gawain 7ff.; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H1561.4 | Test of valor: rousing servant's anger. Nobleman, when examining servants for hire, bids each stand before him and comb his long beard. Occasionally he snaps at them as if to bite them. Those who dodge he lets go; those who offer fight he employs. *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 862. |
| H1561.5 | Test of valor worthy for kingship: taking possession of royal insignia placed between two ferocious lions. Chauvin II 183 No. 24. |
| H1561.6 | Test of valor: fight with giant. Irish myth: *Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| H1561.7 | Test of valor: attack by warrior and hound. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1561.8 | Warriors battle against leader as test of valor. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1561.9 | Prince chooses shorter but more dangerous road. Icelandic: Boberg; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H1561.10 | Master tests disciple by asking him if he will be willing to plunge with him into the Indus. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1562 | Test of strength. *Type 650; Irish myth: *Cross; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| H1562.1 | Test of strength: pulling up tree by roots. See all references to F621. |
| H1562.1.1 | Test of strength: cutting tree with one stroke. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1562.2 | Test of strength: lifting stone (fireplace, etc.) English: Wells 59 (The Turke and Gowin), 114 (Sir Isumbras); Icelandic: *Boberg; Danish: Schmidt DF XXXIX 55. |
| H1562.2.1 | Test of strength: lifting sword. Chinese: Graham. |
| H1562.2.2 | Before undertaking rescue, bat tests strength by lifting stone. N. A. Indian (California): Gayton and Newman 95. |
| H1562.3 | Test of strength: breaking heavy glass bottle over loaf of rye bread. *Fb "flaske" I 309. |
| H1562.4 | Test of strength: prodigious jump. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1562.5 | Test of strength: heavy stone flung at boaster; he throws it back. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1562.6 | Test of strength: breaking spirited horse. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1562.7 | Strength contest: contestants stand with back to rock on opposite side, an iron ring around neck of each connected by chain. They tug until ring severs neck of one. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1562.8 | Test of strength: breaking witch's back. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H1562.9 | Test of strength: wrestling. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| H1562.10 | Test of strength: pushing out heavy ferry. Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H1562.11 | Test of strength: pulling in two iron bars passing through hole. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1562.12 | Task: destruction of iron castle. French Canadian: Sister Marie Ursule. |
| H1562.13 | Test of strength: shooting through seven iron plates with arrow. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H1562.14 | Mighty-of-His-Mouth and Mighty-of-His-Hands decide to live together to test strength. Strength of mind is winner. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1563 | Test of skill. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1564 | Test of hospitality. English: Wells 64 (Avowynge of King Arthur etc.); Irish myth: *Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| H1565 | Tests of gratitude. |
| H1565.1 | Test of gratitude: magician makes pupil believe himself superior. Though he has promised magician great rewards he forgets his promise. Wealth removed. Alphabet No. 62; Scala Celi 12a No. 72; Wesselski Mönchslatein 13 No. 7; Herbert 83 No. 7; Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| H1566 | Test for admission to warrior band. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1567 | Test of leadership. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1567.1 | Frightful meal as test of leadership. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1567.1.1 | Test of leadership (obedience): swallowing mouse without vomiting. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1568 | Test of the champion. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1568.1 | Test of championship: sitting on pillow covering egg without breaking egg. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1569 | Tests of character—miscellaneous. |
| H1569.1 | Test of industry. (Cf. H382.) |
| H1569.1.1 | Man tests industry of prospective servant girl. England, U.S.: *Baughman. |
| H1571 | Test of sensitiveness. (For details see F647.) *BP III 238; Penzer VII 10ff.; Köhler-Bolte I 64; Bolte Reise der Söhne Giaffers 120. |
| H1572 | Test of fertility. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1572.1 | Stone under fertile woman produces milk; under barren woman produces blood. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1573 | Religious tests. Irish myth: *Cross; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| H1573.0.1 | Angel helpers in religious test. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1573.1 | Belief in Christianity tested. (Cf. V300.) Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1573.1.1 | Heathen swallowed by earth. Proof of his belief. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1573.1.2 | Loathly deed performed as evidence of Christian virtue. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1573.1.3 | Druid attempts to shake king's faith by magic manifestation. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1573.1.4 | Man commanded by saint to leap into fiery furnace: unharmed. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1573.2 | Religious personages tested. Irish myth: *Cross; Jewish: *Neuman. |
| H1573.2.1 | Magic manifestation required as proof in test of saintliness. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| H1573.2.2 | Saint tested by visit of deity in disguise. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1573.2.3 | Test of worthiness for bishop: plowing without plowshare. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1573.3 | Power of Christianity tested. Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| H1573.3.1 | Saint drinks poison without injury as proof of power of Christianity. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1573.3.2 | Saint's horse miraculously preserved as proof of power of Christianity before fairy. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1573.3.3 | Transformation by saint as proof of Christianity before druid. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1573.3.4 | Wizard (druid) burned, saint saved in test of power of Christianity. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1573.4 | Power of other religions tested. |
| H1573.4.1 | Power of Judaism tested. Jewish: Neuman. |
| H1573.5 | Test of steadfastness of love for God: though warned in dream man refuses to part with sacred stone. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1573.6 | Test of righteousness. |
| H1573.6.1 | Ability to cross bridge as test of righteousness. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1573.7 | Test of repentance. |
| H1573.7.1 | Test of repentance: culprit exposed to situation identical to that in which he sinned. (Cf. H1573.) Jewish: *Neuman. |
| H1574 | Tests of social position. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1574.0.1 | Social rank determined according to portion taken from cauldron of food. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1574.1 | Tests for noble blood. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1574.2 | Fruitfulness of nature as proof of kingly right. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1574.3 | King chosen by test. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1574.3.0.1 | Test imposed on young princes as candidates for throne. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1574.3.0.2 | Two deities test virtues of a king. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1574.3.1 | The burning forge (smithy): he who salvages anvil will be king. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1574.3.2 | He who wins maiden queen is king. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| H1575 | Tests of sight. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1575.1 | Test of sight: stepping stones. Captives re-blinded if they cross stepping-stones without stumbling. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1576 | Tests of possession of magic powers. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1576.1 | Test of magic powers: telling sex of unborn goat. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H1576.2 | Test of skill for a fakir: heating iron and passing it through hands without burning them. |
| H1577 | Test of divine favor. |
| H1577.1 | Test of goddess' favor: man throws away his wife's jewel-box to see if she can regain it with the aid of goddess. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1577.2 | Test of goddess's favor: husband drowns his son to see if his wife's tutelary goddess can bring him back to life. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1578 | Test of sex: to discover person masking as of other sex. *Dh I 329; Köhler in Gonzenbach II 216 No. 17. |
| H1578.1 | Test of sex of girl masking as man. BP II 57f., III 236; Italian: Basile Pentamerone III No. 6; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1578.1.1 | Test of sex of girl masking as man: peas spread on floor. Men tread firmly; women slip. BP II 57 n. 2; Hdwb. d. Märchens I 92b. n. 6; *Zachariae Kleine Schriften 58. |
| H1578.1.1.1 | Test of girl masking as man: nuts and corn spread on floor. Jewish: *Neuman (J1661.1.) |
| H1578.1.2 | Test of sex of girl masking as man: spinning wheel brought. Men take no notice; women interested. BP II 57 n. 2. |
| H1578.1.3 | Test of sex of girl masking as man: choosing flowers. Girl will choose a carnation; man a rose. Sicilian: Gonzenbach No. 17. |
| H1578.1.4 | Test of sex of girl masking as man: ball thrown into lap. Girls spread legs to catch it; men not. Fb "kvinde" II 339a. |
| H1578.1.4.1 | Woman throws apple to man in woman's dress. He puts his legs together to catch it. (Cf. H1578.1.4.) England, U.S.: *Baughman. |
| H1578.1.4.2 | Test of sex of man masking as girl: jumping over pit (only man succeeds). India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1578.1.5 | Test of sex of girl masking as man: nuts and apples offered. Men put them in their shirts, girls into their handkerchiefs. *BP II 58; Bolte Wickram's Rollwagenbüchlein 384 n. 2; FL I 133, 354; Hdwb. d. Märchens I 92b. n. 6. |
| H1578.1.6 | Test of sex of girl masking as man: warned by a parrot, she picks only one flower. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1578.2 | Test of sex of man masking as girl: arms placed among baskets and war-trumpet sounded. Man snatches arms. Greek: * Frazer Apollodorus II 74 n. 1. |
| H1581 | Test of heirship. German: Grimm Nos. 63, 106, 124, 151, 152, 179. |
| H1582 | Health test. Penzer III 272 n. 1. |
| H1582.1 | Recognition of good health by hearing voice. Chauvin V 45 No. 18. |
| H1582.2 | Recognition of good health by smoke rising from chimney. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1583 | Tests of time. |
| H1583.1 | Time measured by worn iron shoes. Icelandic: *Boberg. |
| H1583.2 | Time measured by fit of ring. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1584 | Tests of space. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1584.1 | Land measured according to amount within person's view. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1584.2 | Land measured according to amount encompassed during certain hours. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1585 | Test of cleanliness by being shaken to see if lice fall off. Chinese: Graham. |
| H1588 | Contest of dogs. Two opponents test their powers by having their dogs fight. N. A. Indian: *Kroeber JAFL XXI 224. |
| H1588.1 | Litter of puppies tested by throwing them one by one at hanging hide of wild beast, and keeping the one that grips hide. Puppy grows up to be great hunting dog. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1588.2 | Man and king compete by letting their domestic animals fight. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1591 | Shooting contest. N. A. Indian (California): Gayton and Newman 74. |
| H1591.1 | Contest: spear-casting. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| H1592 | Hunting contest. Irish myth: Cross; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H1593 | Goaling match between fairies and mortals as test of supremacy. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1594 | Foot-racing contest. Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: Boberg. |
| H1594.0.1 | Death as penalty for losing foot-race. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1594.1 | Foot-race between fairy and mortal. Irish myth: *Cross. |
| H1594.2 | Foot-race between giant and mortal. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1595 | Test of memory. |
| H1595.1 | Test of memory: Solomon asks Marchus question, receives answer; fourteen months later he asks second question based on first, again receives correct answer; four months later asks third question based on first two, again receives correct answer. Nouvelles de Sens. No. 31. |
| H1596 | Beauty contest. Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| H1596.0.1 | Test for attractiveness to men. Irish myth: Cross. |
| H1596.1 | Golden apple as prize in beauty contest. Judgment of Paris. Scala Celi 22b, 27a Nos. 146, 175; Greek: Fox 124. |
| H1596.2 | Strangers umpire beauty contest. Africa (Madagascar): Sibree Madagascar before the Conquest (London, 1896) 239ff. |
| H1596.3 | Women to appear naked in beauty contest. Jewish: Neuman. |
| H1598 | Contest between man and other being. |
| H1598.1 | Contest between man and angel. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| J0 | Acquisition and possession of wisdom. Jewish: *Neuman. |
| J10 | Wisdom (knowledge) acquired from experience. |
| J11 | Shipwrecked shepherd distrusts the sea. He had formerly envied sailors. Wienert FFC LVI 75 (ET 407), 110 (ST 219); Halm Aesop No. 370. |
| J11.1 | Man bitten by snake fears snake-like rope. Jewish: Neuman. |
| J12 | Young ass avoids food eaten by animals before being slaughtered. Runs to his mother and asks to have all remains of the hog's food taken out. Wienert FFC LVI 72 (ET 374), 110 (ST 221); Chauvin III 51 No. 7. |
| J13 | Young sparrows have learned to avoid men. Sparrow quizzes his four young as to how to avoid danger from men. Their year of experience has taught them enough. BP III 239 (Gr. No. 157); Hervieux Fabulistes latins II 546 No. 70. |
| J14 | Old racehorse in mill laments vanity of youth. Wienert FFC LVI *72 (ET 365), 140 (ST 466); Babrius No. 29; Halm Aesop No. 174. |
| J15 | Serpent (bird) having injured man refuses reconciliation. He knows that neither can forget their injuries. Chauvin II 94 No. 43, 102 No. 62; Bødker Exempler 291 No. 47, 301 No. 67; Wienert FFC LVI *69 (ET 331), *127 (ST 352); Babrius No. 167; Jacobs Aesop 201 No. 6; Halm Aesop Nos. 96, 251, 350; cf. BP II 459; Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J16 | Dove disregards experience and loses brood. Rebuilds her nest in the place where she has lost former brood. Chauvin II 83 No. 6; Bødker Exempler 274 No. 7, 306 No. 82; Spanish Exempla: Keller. |
| J17 | Animal learns through experience to fear men. In spite of the warning of another animal he approaches man and is shot. *Type 157; BP II 96; India: *Thompson-Balys; Africa (Hottentot): Bleek 47 No. 23; American Negro: Harris Nights 33 No. 7, 330 No. 57; Jamaica: Beckwith MAFLS XVII 262 No. 62. |
| J17.1 | Tiger, jackal, and bear each learn to fear man. They report him as head-thumper (he has beaten the tiger), turn-twister (he has swung jackal by tail), and top-tumbler (he has fallen out of tree on bear). India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| J18 | Wisdom acquired from beating. Incognito prince, beaten for his courtesy, realizes his folly and returns home. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| J21 | Counsels proved wise by experience. *Types 910A, 910B, 910C, 910D; *Cosquin études 85ff., 100ff.; Icelandic: *Boberg; Jewish: *Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| J154 | Wise words of dying father. Counsel proved wise by experience. |
| J21.1 | "Consider the end": counsel proved wise by experience. Barber hired to cut king's throat sees on the bottom of the basin the words "Whatever you do, do wisely and think of the consequences." He drops the razor and confesses. *Type 910C; *Krappe Bulletin Hispanique XXXIX 20 No. 69; Alphabet No. 156; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: bin Gorion Born Judas IV 172, 283; India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| J21.2 | "Do not act when angry": counsel proved wise by experience. Man returns home and sees someone sleeping with his wife. Though he thinks it is a paramour, he restrains himself and finds that it is a newborn son. *Type 910B; Chauvin II 157; Irish myth: Cross; Icelandic: Boberg; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Italian Novella: *Rotunda; India: *Thompson-Balys. Cf. Wienert FFC LVI 37; Phaedrus III No. 10. |
| J21.2.1 | "Never attack anyone before unsheathing and returning sword three times": counsel proved wise by experience. Italian Novella: Rotunda. |
| J21.2.2 | Sleep before committing suicide. After sleeping you will feel differently about suicide. Spanish: Childers. |
| J21.2.3 | "Do not draw your sword against the innocent": counsel proved wise by experience. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J21.2.4 | "Do not uncover weapon in an assembly": counsel proved wise by experience. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J21.2.5 | "Do not shed the blood of women": counsel proved wise by experience. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J21.2.6 | "Control your anger at the beginning": counsel proved wise by experience. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| J21.3 | "Do not go where an old man has a young wife": counsel proved wise by experience. Discovers a murder in an inn. *Type 910B; Christiansen Norske Eventyr 115; Irish myth: *Cross. |
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