μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

The three teachings of the bird (fox). In return for release from captivity the bird (fox) gives the man three teachings. These usually mock the man for his foolishness in releasing what he has. (See for these counsels: J21.12, J21.13, J21.14.)

Deceptions. · Escape by deception. · Murderer or captor otherwise beguiled. · view the constellation · filed as K604

Filed across the traditions
  • Spanish Exempla Keller
  • India *Thompson-Balys
  • Indonesia DeVries's list No. 231.
  • general *Type 150
  • general *BP III 230, IV 149 n. 2
  • general *Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 380
  • general *Wesselski Arlotto II 261 No. 1191
  • general *Chauvin III 103, 110ff., IX 30
  • general *Crane Vitry 144 No. 28
  • general *Gaster Exempla 256 No. 390
  • general *Basset 1001 Contes II 276f.
  • general Jacobs Aesop 213 No. 58
  • general Wienert FFC LVI 35
  • general Halm Aesop No. 271
  • general *Hdwb. d. Märchens I 95a

…and 2 more.

Within the index

Filed under Murderer or captor otherwise beguiled.

Filed beside it
Escape by posing as member of murderer's family or tribe "Noman." Escape by assuming an equivocal name. (Sometimes "myself.") Escape under ram's belly. By hiding under the belly of a ram the hero escapes under the legs of the blind ogre Cannibal sent for water with vessel full of holes: victim escapes Escape by singing song. Captive gradually moves away and at last escapes Enemy in ambush (or disguise) deceived into declaring himself Escape by laughing and crying at same time. Captured bird cries in thinking of her little ones and laughs under pretext that the hunter is wasting his time instead of taking the treasure which she pretends is in her house. The hunter leaves her Escape by putting captor off guard Prisoner released on promise to wed guard (captor) Prisoner released on promise of life-long allegiance Animal captor appeased by being fed captive's family Boy in hole escapes descending log by digging hole Murderer or captor beguiled – miscellaneous
Travels with (Thompson’s cf.)
"Never believe what is beyond belief": counsel proved wise by experience. Man believes when bird tells him that she has a precious gem in her body. (Cf. J21.12, K604.) "Never try to reach the unattainable": counsel proved wise by experience. (Cf. K604.)
Carried in tale types

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