The constellation
J1305 How the tail pointed. One who believes in auguries asks peasant woman if she has seen a bird. "Yes, a crow." And in what direction was his tail pointing?" Answer: "Toward the rear!"
A constellation is one motif’s neighborhood in the record — the story-shapes filed around it, the tale types that carry it, and the texts where it is witnessed, every line a receipted link. Click a motif to travel. Click a text to read it. The entry · wander
● motif
● tale type
● on the shelf
● attested
The same sky, in words
filed under
filed beside
- How he shall be mourned. Women insist on knowing how a man wants to be mourned when he dies. "Mourn me as a man who was tormented by women talking foolishness." · J1301 entry
- The overloaded mule. Priest complains that miller's mule is overloaded. "No, he isn't; he can still carry all your and your brothers' patience." · J1302 entry
- Aesop with the lantern. Aesop goes for fire to a neighbor's in the daytime and lights a lantern so as to bring the fire back. Fool asks him what he is hunting for with the lantern in the daytime. "I seek a man" (not a busybody) · J1303 entry
- Why the black clothes. A man goes forth in black clothes. People are curious as to the reason. "I am wearing mourning for the father of my son." · J1304 entry
- How marriage was consummated. Mother asks newly-wedded daughter if she approached her husband the first night. Answer: "He approached me." · J1306 entry
- Officiousness or foolish questions rebuked – miscellaneous · J1309 entry