μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Ten (five) year respite given captive while he undertakes to teach elephant (ass) to speak. Captive explains to friends that in that time the captor, the elephant (ass), or himself is likely to die.

Deceptions. · Escape by deception. · Escape by false plea. · view the constellation · filed as K551.11

Filed across the traditions
  • Italian Novella *Rotunda.
Within the index

Filed under Respite from death granted until particular act is performed.

Filed beside it
Respite from death granted until prayer is finished. It lasts till rescue comes Respite from death until prisoner has finished drinking his glass. It is left half finished Respite from death until victim has blown on a horn (three times). Rescuers come Respite from death until toilet is made permits escape Girl makes toilet and calls help. When she sees robber under her bed she pretends not to see him and combs her hair at the window. She says, "When I am married my husband will come home from the tavern and seize me by the hair and I shall cry: "Help!" Rescue comes Escape by asking to die on a horse Captured animal asks respite while he gives war alarm Wolf kept at door until children have been christened. He loses his feast Let me live as long as this candle lasts. Man who has sold his soul to devil thus escapes. (Cf. G303.12.5.4.) Escape by asking a last kiss. Uses the opportunity to attack adversary Respite from death until muddy victim may dry self in sun Respite from death until one pays a last visit Respite from death until captive has taken six steps toward God. Takes prodigious ones and escapes Respite from death until prisoner is healed by magic object Woman escapes by ruse: must go to defecate Respite from death for drink of water
Carried in tale types

ask the rhapsode about this motif · search the shelf for “undertakes” · wander