μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif
Within the index

Filed under Escape by overawing captor.

3 finer motifs beneath it
Woman alone in house rolls cheeses down the stairs after calling names of men in the house. Attackers think the men of the house are rushing down the stairsMan convinces robbers that house is fully occupied by beating drums all over the house; they fleeSham calling to helpers frightens robbers away
Filed beside it
Escape by reporting oneself invulnerable and overawing captorEscape by falsely reporting one's ability to escape. "I should be caught if there were not an escape at the back." When the captors run to the rear, the captive escapesBiting the foot. Fox to bear, who is biting his foot: "You are biting the tree root." Bear lets looseEscape by alleged possession of external soul. Monkey caught for his heart (as remedy) makes his captor believe that he has left his heart at homeEscape by falsely reporting approach of rescuersPope escapes captivity and death by dressing in full regalia and overawing captorEscape by frightening would-be captors. (Cf. K1710.)
Travels with
Enemy deceived into overestimating opponents: retreat. (Cf. K548.)

wander