Lowly tries in vain to be greater than he is.
The wise and the foolish. · Wise and unwise conduct. · Humility. · Presumption of the lowly. · view the constellation · filed as J955
Motif
Within the index
Filed under Presumption of the lowly.
4 finer motifs beneath it
Frog tries in vain to be as big as ox. BurstsServant plays at being emperor. Master sees him and says, "Now that you are emperor remember your humble master."Servant asks master for arms of knighthood. Is given a stalk of garlicOld simpleton resolves to become a senator. He is made to believe that he is wanted as an archer and is so frightened that he dies
Filed beside it
Lowly masks as greatLowly animal tries to move among his superiors. DetectedSelf-deception of the lowlyFoolish boast of ancestry by lowlyAmbitious branch chosen king of trees. Vine and fig tree have refusedPresumptuous man before the works of Michelangelo says: "I too am a master"Mole pretends that he sees, smells, and hears. His mother tells him to claim no more senses than he hasFlies try to drink water from elephant's ears. He kills themOne cock takes glory of another's valor. Victor in cock fight crows over his victory. He is taken off by eagle. A second cock then comes out from hiding and struts about among the hensAss in the potter's shop. (Bull in china shop.) Only breaks the potsKid perched on house jeers at wolf. (Cf. J978.)Hare demands equal rights for all animals. Reprimanded for presumptionDay after Feast Day disputes importance with Feast Day. Former reprimandedAfter one day of schooling children are ordered by their father to cease associating with the unlearnedBoaster of victory over a weaker person reprimandedPresumptuous smith chants the Divine Comedy. Dante throws his tools in the street. Blacksmith: "You ruin my work!" Dante: "You ruin mine!"