μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

In dividing property clever younger brother takes hind part of buffalo, upper part of tree, and use of curtain during night.

The wise and the foolish. · Wise and unwise conduct. · Choices. · Real and apparent values. · Choice between useful and ornamental. · view the constellation · filed as J242.8

Filed across the traditions
  • India Thompson-Balys.
Within the index

Filed under Useful wins contest over beautiful.

Filed beside it
Contest between rose and amaranth: worth lies not in beauty Pine and thornbush dispute as to their usefulness. Beauty of form does not give worth; pine grows slowly but it will withstand storms Fox and panther contest in beauty. Fox's spirit worth more than panther's skin Peacock proved to be bad king. Chosen because of beauty; too weak to defend his flock Peacock and crane in beauty contest. Better be able to soar like crane than to strut about like peacock Contest in beauty between swallows and crows (ants and flies): worth lies not in beauty Choice of a learned crow: a dead cat better than a golden crown
Travels with (Thompson’s cf.)
Deceptive crop division: above the ground, below the ground. Of root crops the ogre (stupid animal) chooses the tops; of other crops the roots. (Cf. J242.8.)
Carried in tale types

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