μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Aesop with the lantern. Aesop goes for fire to a neighbor's in the daytime and lights a lantern so as to bring the fire back. Fool asks him what he is hunting for with the lantern in the daytime. "I seek a man" (not a busybody).

The wise and the foolish. · Cleverness. · Clever verbal retorts (repartee). · Officiousness or foolish questions rebuked. · view the constellation · filed as J1303

Filed across the traditions
  • Italian Novella Rotunda (J1442.11).
  • general *Wienert FFC LVI 38, 40
Within the index

Filed under Officiousness or foolish questions rebuked.

Filed beside it
How he shall be mourned. Women insist on knowing how a man wants to be mourned when he dies. "Mourn me as a man who was tormented by women talking foolishness." The overloaded mule. Priest complains that miller's mule is overloaded. "No, he isn't; he can still carry all your and your brothers' patience." Why the black clothes. A man goes forth in black clothes. People are curious as to the reason. "I am wearing mourning for the father of my son." How the tail pointed. One who believes in auguries asks peasant woman if she has seen a bird. "Yes, a crow." And in what direction was his tail pointing?" Answer: "Toward the rear!" How marriage was consummated. Mother asks newly-wedded daughter if she approached her husband the first night. Answer: "He approached me." Officiousness or foolish questions rebuked – miscellaneous
Carried in tale types

ask the rhapsode about this motif · search the shelf for “neighbor's” · wander