Devil to release man for performing seemingly impossible task. The task is performed by trickery.
Deceptions. · Deceptive bargains. · Deception in payment of debt. · Devil cheated of his promised soul. · view the constellation · filed as K216
Motif
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Filed under Devil cheated of his promised soul. The man saves it through deceit.
4 finer motifs beneath it
The evil woman in the glass case as the last commodity. The man is to belong to the devil as soon as he has sold his goods. If he has any goods that no one will buy, he is to be free. The man puts an evil old woman in a glass case. When the devil sees her, he recognizes her. "Whoever knows her will refuse to buy her." The man goes free Bringing the devil an unknown animal. The man sends his naked wife on all fours in tar and feathers. The devil has never seen such an animal [First Edition (Additions and Corrections): K216.3. Devil's riddles answered: man is freed.] Not to sleep for three successive nights. The sleepy man: "I am just thinking, that on earth there are more crooked trees than straight ones ... more hills than plains ... more water than land ..." The devil goes to ascertain these things, meanwhile the man sleeps. Unsuccessful imitation by another man
Filed beside it
Devil cheated by imposing an impossible task Devil cheated by being frightened Devil pounded in knapsack until he releases man Devil's magic power turned on himself. The hero who is riding the devil as a horse receives supernatural strength from plucking a hair from the devil's mane. He then spurs the devil until he agrees to forego his bargain for the man's soul Devil cheated by pretended hanging. The man has promised himself to the devil in return for money. He stuffs his clothes with straw and hangs them up. The devil thinks the man has hanged himself and is satisfied Devil gets another soul instead of one bargained for. The devil bargains with a man for his soul, but the man fulfills his contract and escapes. In envy two persons commit suicide. The devil rejoices that though he lost one he has gained two Devil cheated by religious or magic means. Missouri French: Carrière Other ways of cheating the devil of his promised soul
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