μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif
Within the index
20 finer motifs beneath it
Deceptive damage claimsSelling oneself and escapingProfitable league made with both parties to a quarrelGoods misappropriatedExorbitant price demanded and receivedDeceptive wagesStolen property sold to its ownerThe price of a lump of gold. A trickster asks a goldsmith what he would pay for a lump of gold of a certain size. Believing that the man has such a lump, the goldsmith pays him a large sumThe priest made sick of his bargain: three words at the grave. A poor man in return for a steer gets permission from the priest to speak three words at the burial of his enemy, the rich man. Priest: "From earth are you come." Man: "Now the steer is dead." Priest: "In earth shall you remain." Man: "Father, do you want the meat?" Priest: "I wish you were in hell!" etcAgreement not to scratch. In talking the trickster makes gestures and scratches without detectionDeceptive wagerThe fee used up before the main question is reached. A man with an unsolved question seeks the help of a wit. The latter refuses to answer unless paid. He takes small fees for each easy question leading up to the principal question. Before reaching that point the fee is exhausted, and the question remains unansweredNew bags for old! Recovery of the old bag (containing money or having magic power) which the stupid wife has given away. The husband exchanges a new bag for itCounting out pay. Hole in the hat and hat over a pitDupe denied food until hands are clean. Grass burned around food makes continued washings unavailingTrickster sells what is not his to sellTrickster persuades girl to reveal hidden gold by promising to make it into ornamentsTo keep first thing touched. Wealth (or woman) is on platform. First thing touched is ladder leading upReduced prices but false weightsWatered milk sold

wander