μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif
Filed across the traditions
  • India *Thompson-Balys
  • Chinese Graham
  • N. Am. Indian *Thompson Tales 303 n. 109b
  • American Negro (Georgia) Harris Remus 98 No. 20, Nights 61 No. 12.
  • general Type 1166**
  • general Africa (Ibo, Nigeria): Basden 278, (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 52 No. 6, (Wakweli): Bender 63
Within the index

Filed under Means of hoodwinking the guardian or owner.

14 finer motifs beneath it
Owner frightened from goods by report of approaching enemy Owners frightened away from goods by report of deadly epidemic. Poor parson thus rids himself of unwelcome guests; they leave food they have brought Trickster quarrels with owner of goods, feigns death, and frightens owner away Owner frightened away from goods by a bluff Owner frightened from goods by apparitions of the dead. (Cf. K335.1.2.) Owner frightened from goods by trickster's ferocious animal. Pretended dog is really a lion Thief frightens away guards of his father's corpse by impersonating demons Town crier is frightened by the voice of a cleric robbing a grave Delivery boy is frightened into giving up his chickens. Trickster upturns his eyelids and puts on boar's tusks Trickster lights torches and bluffs old woman into giving him money. Torches alleged to belong to man coming to collect damages from her Servants frightened by ferocious actions of robbers; give up masters' food Owner frightened away by thief disguised as devil Owner frightened from goods by trickster's summons of wild buffalo herd Robbers frightened from goods. Trickster steals the goods
Filed beside it
Man gulled into giving up his clothes Goods stolen while owner sleeps Theft by making owner drunk Theft from blind person Owner gives up goods through flattery House filled with smoke so that owner gives trickster lodging Oversalting food of giant so that he must go outside for water. Meantime his goods are stolen Thief ties owner's hair while he escapes with goods Owner's interest distracted while goods are stolen Thief as umpire in contest. Three men are quarreling over the possession of a rescued girl. The umpire will give her to the one who soonest returns with the arrow he shoots. While they run, he takes the girl Thief advises owner to go away; meantime steals the goods Owner persuaded that his goods are spoiled. (Cf. K355.) Sympathetic helper robbed Thief trusted to guard goods Cozening. Trickster's claim of relationship causes owner to relax vigilance. Goods stolen Trickster causes owner and another to fight over goods. Meantime he steals it
Keeps company with — shares receipted episodes
Trickster's burnt flesh becomes gum on trees Transformation to be put in food-bag Transformation to seduce Magic treasure animal killed. (Goose that laid the golden egg) Magic garment (robe, tunic) Magic reawakening of memory. (Cf. D1360, D1910.) Killed game revives and flies away Disintegration: man eats himself up or dismembers himself Person eats self up Trickster joins bulrushes in a dance. He thinks they are dancing when he sees them waving Person frightened into falling down a cliff Deceptive scratching contest
Carried in tale types

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