Husband away three years accepts children born in his absence as his own — Mythoi

Motif

Husband away three years accepts children born in his absence as his own.

The wise and the foolish. · Fools (and other unwise persons). · Gullible fools. · Nature of gullibility. · view the constellation · filed as J2342.2

Filed across the traditions

Italian Novella Rotunda.

Within the index

Filed under Husband refuses to believe in wife's infidelity.

2 finer motifs beneath it

Woman gives birth to child fourteen months after husband's departure. The latter is made to believe it is legitimate Cuckolded "as per instructions." Woman tells husband that she has become pregnant during his absence according to his own instructions

Filed beside it

Husband refuses to believe that his wife is unfaithful, even when she is caught in the act She knows best: woman denies accusation of adultery. Husband dismisses the truthful accusers saying that she knows her shortcomings better than anyone else, and she denies it Husband praises wife's fidelity. Rascal tests it and finds it lacking Only husband remains ignorant about his wife's infidelity

Carried in tale types

The Three Months' Child · ATU 1362A* 1 recorded variant

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