μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Do not leave it to your successor. A widow stops a ruler on his way to war. He may be killed and he should not leave the act of justice as a credit to his successor.

The wise and the foolish. · Cleverness. · Clever verbal retorts (repartee). · Repartee with ruler (judge, etc.). · view the constellation · filed as J1284

Filed across the traditions
  • Italian Novella *Rotunda.
  • general *Chauvin VIII 204 No. 246
Within the index

Filed under Repartee with ruler (judge, etc.).

2 finer motifs beneath it
Show me how it is done. Wronged woman thus addresses ruler, who is indifferent to insults directed at him. She wishes to be shown how to bear insults. This rebukes him Cease being a king. A widow asks justice of a king. The latter says that he is too busy to hear her. "Then cease being a king," replies the widow. Her bold reply wins an audience with the king
Filed beside it
"If I were a tyrant you would not say so." Answer made by emperor to one who calls him a tyrant Trickster chooses his gift. To be rewarded by ruler with a coin, an ass, a sheep, or a vineyard. Answers that he will take the coin, mount the ass, drive the sheep into the vineyard, and there pray for the ruler Gifts from the brothers. A king gives a man a coin. "Is that all you give your brother?" "Are you my brother?" "Surely, we both pray, Our father, etc." "If all your brothers give you as much as I you will be rich." Against his will. A thief condemned to the gallows tells the king, "I do what you do and it is against my will." King: "You shall also be hanged against your will." His proper title. A peasant goes to a judge and thinking to gain his favor addresses him with high titles. The judge calls him a fool. "I was mistaken, you swine!" Repartee with ruler (judge, etc.) – miscellaneous

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