Rescuing the moon. A numskull sees the moon in the water and throws a rope in to rescue it, but falls in himself. He sees the moon in the sky. At least the moon was saved!

Motif

Rescuing the moon. A numskull sees the moon in the water and throws a rope in to rescue it, but falls in himself. He sees the moon in the sky. At least the moon was saved!

The wise and the foolish. · Fools (and other unwise persons). · Absurd misunderstandings. · One thing mistaken for another. · Shadow mistaken for substance. · view the constellation · filed as J1791.2

Filed across the traditions

American Negro Harris Nights 100 No. 19.
general *Wesselski Hodscha Nasreddin I 241 No. 124
general Christensen DF XLVII 217–18 no. 78

Within the index

Filed under Reflection in water thought to be the original of the thing reflected.

Filed beside it

Drinking the moon. The numskull sees a cow drink from a pool where the moon is reflected. The moon goes under a cloud. He thinks the cow has eaten the moon and slaughters her to recover it Diving for cheese. Man (animal) sees moon reflected in water and, thinking it a cheese, dives for it Dog drops his meat for the reflection. Crossing a stream with meat in his mouth he sees his reflection; thinking it another dog with meat he dives for it and loses his meat Diving for reflected enemy Diving for reflection of beautiful woman Man does not recognize his own reflection in the water Goose dives for star, thinking it a fish. The next day when she sees fish, she lets it escape Fools see bee's nest reflected in water: try to carry off the well Fool sees golden-crested bird reflected in water. Thinks it is gold Diving for reflected fruit. Meantime rascal steals the fruit itself Elephant frightened at agitated reflection of moon in water

Carried in tale types

Catching the Moon (previously Rescuing the Moon) · ATU 1335A 1 recorded variant

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