Counterquestions. Riddles answered by a question that reduces the riddle to an absurdity — Mythoi

Motif

Counterquestions. Riddles answered by a question that reduces the riddle to an absurdity.

Tests. · Tests of cleverness. · Riddles. · Means of solving riddles. · view the constellation · filed as H571

Filed across the traditions

Japanese Ikeda.
general *Wesselski Hodscha Nasreddin I 275 No. 299
general Wesselski Arlotto I 215 No. 59
general Anderson FFC XLII 346

Within the index

Filed under Means of solving riddles.

1 finer motif beneath it

Counterquestion: "What is difference between you and an ass? What is difference between you and a cushion."

Filed beside it

Reductio ad absurdum of riddle: stallions of Babylon. "Why is my mare restless when stallions of Babylon neigh?" Hero beats cat for having strangled a cock last night in Babylon (impossible distance away) Answer to riddle found by trickery Riddles solved with aid of propounder's wife. (Cf. G530.2, H335.0.1, H974.) Accidental discovery of answer to riddle

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