μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Riddling remarks of traveling companion interpreted by girl (man) at end of journey.

Tests. · Tests of cleverness. · Riddles. · Enigmatic statements. · view the constellation · filed as H586

Filed across the traditions
  • India Thompson-Balys.
  • general De Vries FFC LXXIII 43ff.
  • general *Wesselski Märchen 197 No. 7
Within the index

Filed under Enigmatic statements. Apparently senseless remarks (or acts) interpreted figuratively prove wise.

8 finer motifs beneath it
Man helps traveler and makes riddling remarks. Gives him food, shares his coat in rain, and carries him over stream. Reproaches him with traveling without mother, house, or bridge (nourishment, shelter, or horse) Traveler says he is going to the city to see what has become of the seed he sowed in the street. (What has become of the girl he left in the city to await his return.) One traveler to another: Let us carry each other and shorten the way. (Let us tell tales and amuse ourselves on the way.) One traveler to another: That field (uncut) is already harvested. (Belongs to spendthrift who has already spent the money.) One traveler to another (as they see corpse borne by): He is not entirely dead. (Has left good property.) One traveler to another (when asked how he crossed an unbridged stream): I cross on an ashen bridge. (Found a ford with an ashen staff.) One traveler to another: Is this cup valuable or not? (Is your daughter married or not?) Boy says that travelers should catch the mares (walking sticks that are in the jungle)
Filed beside it
Girl given enigmatic commands must do the opposite Three young men arrested tell who they are Riddling answers betray theft or adultery Clever youth (maiden) answers king's inquiry in riddles. (Cf. H561.4.) Other riddling answers Enigmatic conversation of king and peasant King gives enigmatic order to minister Enigmatic counsels of a father. Taken literally bring trouble, but when properly interpreted are valuable Extraordinary actions explained Enigmatic statement made clear by experience Suitors receive enigmatic answers. Girls answer in single words, which, when arranged in certain order, show that they accept Inhospitality reproved enigmatically Enigmatic welcome of host. Sounds very inhospitable but properly interpreted makes guests welcome Enigmatic counsels of relatives (other than father) Other enigmatic statements
Carried in tale types

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