Literal numskull laughs at his child's death — Mythoi

Motif

Literal numskull laughs at his child's death.

The wise and the foolish. · Fools (and other unwise persons). · Literal fools. · Literal obedience. · view the constellation · filed as J2461.3

Filed across the traditions

India Thompson-Balys.

Within the index

Filed under What should I have done (said)? The mother teaches the boy (the man his wife) what he should say (do) in this or that circumstance. He uses the words in the most impossible cases and is always punished.

Filed beside it

Literal following of instructions about actions Literal following of instructions about greetings. Numskull gives wrong greeting and is told how to give the correct one. When he tries it, however, the conditions are wrong Master tells servant (sarcastically) to take a year to do errand. Servant stays away a year and then returns to claim salary Numskull told not to forget to get the handsel (a little token extra in the bargain); brings it but leaves what he has been sent to buy Literal fool: fool told to follow his nose in a journey, runs head against tree, climbs it To sell some cloth for four rupees. Fool refuses to take six rupees for it Asking favor when master is in good humor. Fool waits till master is laughing at servant's stupidity Numskull told to attract girl's attention by throwing pebble at her flings large stone which breaks her head

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