"Do nothing but attend to the horse." The youth obeys the command to such extent that he almost lets his master drown — Mythoi

Motif

"Do nothing but attend to the horse." The youth obeys the command to such extent that he almost lets his master drown.

The wise and the foolish. · Fools (and other unwise persons). · Foolish extremes. · Foolish extreme. · view the constellation · filed as J2516.3

Cited in the index

general *Wesselski Morlini 317 No. 74.

Within the index

Filed under Directions followed literally to the sorrow of the giver.

5 finer motifs beneath it

Wife follows written instructions. She is to follow instructions which the husband has written down on a card. He falls into a brook and is about to drown. She goes home to see what his instructions on this point are The polite rescuers. Pupils are taught to clap their hands and say "God bless you" when one sneezes. As they are rescuing a drowning man by a rope he sneezes. They all clap their hands and he falls back into the water Command to use only one phrase. King let drown in bath "Only light the fire." Fool allows the house to burn down To tell nothing else than "very good news."

Filed beside it

Literal misconstruction of order. Hero gets revenge Think thrice before you speak. The youth obeys literally the precept even when he sees the master's coat on fire "Pick up everything!" The youth so instructed picks up too much. The master then tells him to pick things up only when the master gives the signal. The master falls into a hole and cannot give the signal "Do not leave my side." The youth obeys the command to such an absurd extent that he is a nuisance to his master "Hang out lanterns." Officer calls to householders to hang out lanterns. One hangs out lantern but does not light it. The next night the officer calls to them to hang out lanterns and candles. He hangs out a lantern with a candle in it but unlighted. The next night the officer calls out to hang out lanterns and candlelight "Let no one in." When lizard comes in fool burns house down to drive it out Remove turban as last duty. Sleepy servant removes master's turban while still in council meeting To draw out fence stakes and throw them down. Boy throws them into river "Foresee the possible event." Asked to call a doctor when his master falls ill, fool also calls the undertaker

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