The constellation
K216 Devil to release man for performing seemingly impossible task. The task is performed by trickery
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
beneath it
- The evil woman in the glass case as the last commodity. The man is to belong to the devil as soon as he has sold his goods. If he has any goods that no one will buy, he is to be free. The man puts an evil old woman in a glass case. When the devil sees her, he recognizes her. "Whoever knows her will refuse to buy her." The man goes free · K216.1 entry
- Bringing the devil an unknown animal. The man sends his naked wife on all fours in tar and feathers. The devil has never seen such an animal · K216.2 entry
- [First Edition (Additions and Corrections): K216.3. Devil's riddles answered: man is freed.] · K216.3[1st ed.] entry
- Not to sleep for three successive nights. The sleepy man: "I am just thinking, that on earth there are more crooked trees than straight ones ... more hills than plains ... more water than land ..." The devil goes to ascertain these things, meanwhile the man sleeps. Unsuccessful imitation by another man · K216.3 entry