Suitor hesitates to marry girl as immature (or too delicate). Girl's father protests, saying that she has had three children — Mythoi

Motif

Suitor hesitates to marry girl as immature (or too delicate). Girl's father protests, saying that she has had three children.

The wise and the foolish. · Cleverness. · Clever verbal retorts (repartee). · Repartee concerning the parentage of children. · view the constellation · filed as J1279.3

Filed across the traditions

Italian Novella *Rotunda.

Within the index

Filed under Repartee regarding the parentage of children – miscellaneous.

Filed beside it

Plea for a good father. Mother of twelve on deathbed explains to family that not all her children are legitimate. Gives the paternity of each child. Youngest leaves his food to say: "Please, mother, give me a good father!" (Cf. J325.) Even God can overdo it! Returning sailor finds his hovel transformed into a fine house. "Where does all this come from?" Wife: "God's bounty." Illegitimate child greets mother. Same question, same answer. Sailor: "I don't want God to help me so much!" In numbers there is strength. The children of the Genoese are strong because there is more help

ask the rhapsode about this motif · search the shelf for “hesitates” · wander