μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Impounded water. Water is kept by monster so that mankind cannot use it. A hero defeats the monster and releases the water. (The monster is sometimes a giant frog.)

Mythological motifs. · Establishment of natural order. · Establishment of present order: waters. · view the constellation · filed as A1111

Attested across traditions
Filed across the traditions
  • India Thompson-Balys
  • Chinese Ferguson 155
  • Japanese Anesaki 276. – Australian: Dixon 279, 297
  • Papua Ker 25
  • general *Chauvin VI 3 No. 181, VII 132 No. 399. – Hindu: Keith 33 (guarded by dragon)
  • general Baining of New Britain: ibid. III
  • general Samoan, Melanesian: ibid 38 n. 109, 110. – N. Am. Indian: *Thompson Tales 293 n. 76, (Tahltan): Teit JAFL XXXII 201, 203
  • general S. Am. Indian (Bacairi, Amazon): Alexander Lat. Am. 313, (Botocudo): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 540, (Caingang): Lowie ibid. (1) 397, (Bolivia, Peru): Jijena Sanchez Perro Negro 134. – Africa: Stanley 8, (Basuto): Jacottet 148 No. 21, 154 No. 22 cf. 8 No. 1, (Hottentot): Bleek 27 No. 14, (Ekoi): Talbot 144, 197, (Ababua): Einstein 101.
Within the index

Filed under Establishment of present order: waters.

Filed beside it
God promises never again to destroy world by water Why the sea is salt Origin of sea-waves Origin of foam on waters Origin of swirling motion of water. Animals and birds scratch in it Establishment of present order: waters – miscellaneous
Travels with (Thompson’s cf.)
Acquisition of water. (Cf. A1111.) Origin of human wisdom. It is kept hidden by monster and is later stolen. It escapes and spreads through the world. (Cf. A1111, A1421.)
Keeps company with — shares receipted episodes
Origin of tides
Carried in tale types

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