μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Picture mistaken for original.

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 J1792

ask the rhapsode about this motif →

“The birds assented and returned to the shore, when all retreated a short distance away from the lake to an open space where they might dance. Manabozho removed the bundle of bark froni his back and placed it on the ground, got out his singing-sticks, and said to the birds, “Now, all of you dance around me asI drum; sing as loudly as you can, and keep your eyes closed. The first one to open his eyes will forever have them red and sore.””

Tales of the North American Indians, Tale 24 · served from our shelf  receiptuncorrected OCR — being verified against the scan

Attested across traditions
Within the index

Filed under Shadow mistaken for substance.

1 finer motif beneath it
Dove sees painted cups of water and dashes into them
Filed beside it
Numskull thinks his shadow is a man pursuing himShadow mistaken for thief: is beatenMonkey seeing tiger attack his shadow is frightened so that he falls from treeReflection in water thought to be the original of the thing reflectedMask mistaken for faceStatue mistaken for living original. (Cf. K1840.)Image in mirror mistaken for pictureMoonlight thought to be substance
Keeps company with — shares receipted episodes
Magic private parts – humanMagic excrementsMagic object gives adviceBodily members as advisers. (Cf. D990.)Magic object points out roadBlinded trickster directed by trees. He asks them their names and by their answers he can tell where he is. (Cf. D950.)Magic swallow-skin warns of danger. (Cf. D1025.4.)Speaking plant. (Cf. D965, F815.)Talking private parts betray unchastityCreaking limbs. Numskull hears limbs creaking in the wind. He is sorry for them and holds them apart. While he is caught between them his enemies take advantage of himRaven steals the robes of Red Willow Men and finds them uselessDeception into entering bag

wander