The constellation
J1651 The abbot cannot find his needle. An undesirable abbot furnishes adequate grounds for his dismissal when he cannot find the needle that all monks are supposed to carry with them. If careless in little things he will be careless in great
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 near
- Do not start here. Man asks directions to a certain place. Native attempts to give directions, then in disgust says, "If I wanted to go to –, I wouldn't start from here." · J1648 entry
- Priest asked to preach short sermon does so saying to congregation only that they are wicked · J1647 entry
- Sticking to the rules. Merchant at inn deprives monk of fowl. "It's against the rules of your order." Later the monk undertakes to help merchant across stream. In the middle of the stream he asks the merchant if he has any money. "Yes." The monk drops him in the water. "It's against the rules of our order to have any money on us." · J1638 entry
- He has a family to support. Ruler to servant stealing his game: "If you wish any I'll send you some." · J1636 entry
- 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 · J1652 entry
- Using the lamb to get an audience. Peasant calls on lawyer for advice. Lawyer says that he is busy. Peasant returns with lamb. The lawyer hears its bleat and grants the audience · J1653 entry
- Clever ways of concealing jewels (treasure) · J1655 entry
- Jewels concealed in cowdung cakes · J1655.1 entry