μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif
Within the index

Filed under Murderer or captor otherwise beguiled.

3 finer motifs beneath it
The cave call. ("Hello, house!") An animal suspecting the presence of an enemy in his cave (house), calls and receives no answer. He then says, "Don't you know, O cave, that we have agreed that I must call you when I come from abroad and that you in turn must answer me?" The hiding animal answers and the other fleesCrocodile masking as a log obeys suggestion that he move upstream. He thus betrays himselfSham-dead man deceived into making gesture. Obeys suggestion as to how dead man should act and betrays himself
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 ogreThe 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.)Cannibal sent for water with vessel full of holes: victim escapesEscape by singing song. Captive gradually moves away and at last escapesEscape 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 herEscape by putting captor off guardPrisoner released on promise to wed guard (captor)Prisoner released on promise of life-long allegianceAnimal captor appeased by being fed captive's familyBoy in hole escapes descending log by digging holeMurderer or captor beguiled – miscellaneous

wander