μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

One is freed if he can set a task the devil cannot perform.

Ogres. · Kinds of ogres. · Other ogres. · Other ogres. · view the constellation · filed as G303.16.19.3

In our texts — keyword-matched, unreviewed
Filed across the traditions
  • England *Baughman
  • India *Thompson-Balys.
  • general Fb I 267a
  • general **Wesselski Niederdeutsche Zeitschrift für Volkskunde X 1ff.
Within the index

Filed under Miscellaneous ways in which the devil may be escaped or his power destroyed.

3 finer motifs beneath it
Task for devil: sweeping and winnowing peas on ice Task for devil: making needles Task for devil: washing a Jew (Jewess), to rid him (her) of the evil smell. (Cf. A1662.1.)
Filed beside it
Man secure from devil on horse Devil goes with one if one spits on old castaway brooms Devil (Satan) flees when cock is made to crow. (Cf. G303.17.1.1.) Demon has to serve girl whom he cannot persuade to break vow of chastity. (Cf. D1714.) Man protected from devil by holding three-year old child through night Devil comes out of man when monk recognizes devil's voice in man Knight saved from devil by friends Devil becomes powerless when called by name Devil exorcised at time of Christ's Nativity Devil frustrated by charity Devil can't approach Christian girl Devil cannot follow man over running water. (Cf. F383.2, G273.4.) Devil escaped by injuring him with silver bullet. (Cf. D1384.5.) Devil cannot enter magic circle made to keep him out. (Cf. D1381.11.) Devil can be driven away by sacrifice Devil disappears because he is frightened
Travels with (Thompson’s cf.)
Liar escapes from devil: quest for greater liar. (Cf. G303.16.19.3, K210, X905.)
Carried in tale types

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