μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

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!"

The wise and the foolish. · Cleverness. · Clever verbal retorts (repartee). · Officiousness or foolish questions rebuked. · view the constellation · filed as J1305

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." 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) 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 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

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