Straight path not always shortest. (Cf. J21.5.)

Motif

Straight path not always shortest. (Cf. J21.5.)

The wise and the foolish. · Fools (and other unwise persons). · Absurd short-sightedness. · Remedies worse than the disease. · view the constellation · filed as J2119.2

Within the index

Filed under Remedies worse than the disease – miscellaneous.

2 finer motifs beneath it

Taking the short-cut. Farmer takes a few feet off his journey and lifts a wheelbarrow over 22 stiles in so doing One contestant chooses straight path through stones; other circles about and wins

Filed beside it

Nose cut off to get it out of the light Noodles push parents over a rock as a favor to them Numskulls bore hole in boat in order to make water run out Stupid giant, seeing how fat he has become, wants to eat himself up How to save the rice. Boy has rice in joined hands and arms around a pillar. Afraid to move lest rice be lost. Roof is removed and boy lifted over pillar Stupid cowherds apply hot iron to temples of unconscious man to revive him Cow tied tight with stones in order not to blow away, but is unable to do all others things too Hero beheads old woman who asks him to cure her of old age

Travels with (Thompson’s cf.)

"Do not leave the highway": counsel proved wise by experience. Robbers encountered

ask the rhapsode about this motif · search the shelf for “straight” · wander