μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif
Within the index

Filed under Devil cheated of his promised soul. The man saves it through deceit.

7 finer motifs beneath it
Devil cheated by having priest draw a sacred circle about the intended victimDevil cheated of his victim by boy having a bible under his armDevil cheated when his victim becomes a priestDevil cheated of promised soul by intervention of Virgin MaryThe picture of the Virgin Mary saves the priestPenance of priest saves him from devil. The priest, who sold his soul to the devil, orders his servant to cut him (alive) up into pieces, to crucify him on a tree (and the like), thus saves his soul from the devilsDevil is unable to take man contracted to him when friends pray over the corpse
Filed beside it
Devil cheated by imposing an impossible taskDevil cheated by being frightenedDevil pounded in knapsack until he releases manDevil'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 soulDevil 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 satisfiedDevil to release man for performing seemingly impossible task. The task is performed by trickeryDevil 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 twoOther ways of cheating the devil of his promised soul

wander