μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Man behind statue (tree) speaks and pretends to be God (spirit).

Deceptions. · Deception through shams. · Impostures. · Sham miracles. · view the constellation · filed as K1971

Filed across the traditions
  • Buddhist myth Malalasekera I 659
  • Indonesia DeVries's list No. 272, Coster-Wijsman 25 Nos. 3, 4, 5
  • Hawaii Beckwith Myth 431, 437
  • West Indies Flowers 549–552.
  • general *Type 1380
  • general von der Hagen II 141f. No. 29
  • general Zs. f. Vksk. XXXIX 215
  • general Hdwb. d. Märchens I 239
  • general *Taylor MPh XV 227 n. 1
  • general *BP III 120ff.
  • general *Chauvin II 91 No. 34. India: *Thompson-Balys
Within the index

Filed under Sham miracles.

14 finer motifs beneath it
Husband answers behind the statue when wife wants to know how to fool him. He says to feed him well Man behind the tree threatens his debtor. The latter thinks God is calling and repays the debt Boy behind the tree tells woman about the bad food he gets. She thinks God is speaking and gives him good food Husband behind saint's statue advises wife to spin Husband as God behind the tree forces his wife to confess adultery Girl behind the tree advises the unwilling suitor. Believing it to be the advice of angels, he marries her The man behind the crucifix says "Good Evening" to the drunk man, who thinks Christ is speaking to him Hidden man behind image gives unwelcome answer to suppliant: image blamed Sexton behind statue tells old maid praying for a husband to raise her foot to her neck Trickster concealed in sacred tree advises that he is to marry the princess Trickster in tree advises that tree and fruit belong to him. Others think God speaks and leave Impostor acting as God in tree suspected and tree burned Alleged idol promises teacher certain payment for his book when finished. Dupe overhears and pays him bargain price for what he is later to receive Man hidden behind idol in temple tells robbers they will have good booty but should leave half of it in the temple
Filed beside it
Oracular images occupied by spirits or priests who give the answers Jackal inside carcass of bullock makes people think his voice is God's. Demands gifts Living man at the grave pretends to be dead man speaking Sham miracle: may the grass grow up! Tricksters who have done no mowing say to their master when he angers them, "May the grass grow up again!" He finds it is full height False miraculous relic

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