Weak animal shows strong his own reflection and frightens him. Tells him that this animal is threatening to kill him. (Usually hare and lion.) — Mythoi

Motif

Weak animal shows strong his own reflection and frightens him. Tells him that this animal is threatening to kill him. (Usually hare and lion.)

Deceptions. · Deception through shams. · Deception through bluffing. · Ogre (large animal) overawed. · view the constellation · filed as K1715.1

Filed across the traditions

India *Thompson-Balys
American Negro (Georgia) Harris Friends 134 No. 18, (Virginia): Parsons JAFL XXXV 264 No. 12.
general *Penzer V 49 n. 1
general Chauvin II 88 No. 25

Within the index

Filed under Weak animal (man) makes large one (ogre) believe that he has eaten many of the large one's companions. The latter is frightened.

3 finer motifs beneath it

Weak animal shows strong his own reflection and makes him believe that it is the head of the last animal slain by the weak Man shows ghost its own reflection and frightens it Man shows demon reflection and frightens him

Filed beside it

Bluff: only one tiger; you promised ten. Child (or shepherd) calls out to the small hero (ape, hare) and makes the tiger (ogre) think that he is lucky to escape alive The wolf flees from the wolf-head. The sheep have found a sack and a wolf-head. They make the wolf believe that they have killed a wolf, and he flees in terror Enemies frightened away by making them think they will be eaten Leopard frightened away by report of lizard's presence. Lizard has bitten leopard before Trickster pretends to hunt certain tree with which his ancestors have killed tigers. Tiger frightened away Bluff: small (lame) hero makes demon believe he is a god and threatens to eat him. Demon terrorized Bluff: hero to brother, "You take one and I can manage the rest." Trickster purports to be deity's messenger to procure demon-skins for his drum. Demons bribe him instead of devouring him Ass claims to have killed cow: frightens tiger Lion frightened away by stabbing at it from inside iron cage Large animal frightened by smaller showing him well rope (for his tail), curds (for spit), winnowing fans (for ears) Tiger made to believe that his captor has eaten many crabs. Tiger fears crabs and releases him Fox overawes lion cubs by his boasting and eats their food

Carried in tale types

The Demon and the Mirror · ATU 1168A 1 recorded variant
The Lion Dives for his own Reflection · ATU 92 1 recorded variant

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