μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif
Within the index

Filed under Thief escapes detection.

3 finer motifs beneath it
Stolen sheep dressed as person sitting at helm of boatStolen sheep dressed as baby in cradle, so that thief may escape detection. (Mak.)Stolen animal magically transformed so that thief may escape detection
Filed beside it
Blame for theft fastened on dupeThe lamb without a heart. Accused of eating the lamb's heart, the thief maintains that it had no heartThief claims to have been transformed into an ass. While the owner sleeps the thief steals his horse, hitches himself to the wagon, and claims that he is the horse transformed into a manThief escapes by leaving animal's severed tail and claiming that the animal has escaped and left his tailThief successfully claims that stolen goods are his ownSevered limb prevents detectionThe stolen cow successively pawned. In one night a thief pawns a cow four times, always stealing it immediately and finally delivering it back to its ownerThief presents alibi. Plays all night for dance while confederate commits actual theftDetection of theft of bull escaped by putting boots on bullThieves stretch chain across road and evade pursuersQuartered thief's body sewed together to escape detectionMarked culprit marks everyone else and escapes detectionRepentant thief pretends to have found stolen cow. Upbraids owner for not guarding her betterThief swallows stolen goods to escape detectionThe owner is duped by thief who gives him the task of solving a riddle about the theft just accomplishedThief escapes detection – miscellaneous

wander