Secret remedy overheard in conversation of animals (witches) — Mythoi

Motif

Secret remedy overheard in conversation of animals (witches).

Chance and fate. · Lucky accidents. · Valuable secrets learned. · Secrets overheard. · view the constellation · filed as N452

Filed across the traditions

Lithuanian Balys Legends No. 527
Italian Basile Pentamerone II No. 2
India *Thompson-Balys, Panchatantra III 11 (tr. Ryder) 346
Chinese Graham
Japanese Ikeda
Korean Zong in-Sob 150
Buriat Holmberg Siberian 427
S. Am. Indian (Chincha) Alexander Lat. Am. 230.
general *Types 432, 613, 613*
general BP II 261ff.
general **Christiansen FFC XXIV 77, 81, 123

Within the index

Filed under Secrets overheard.

2 finer motifs beneath it

Remedy for lack of water in certain place overheard in conversation of animals (demons) Secret remedy revealed by departing animal. House spirit (or bird) leaves saying, "If you knew what valerian is good for, the people would not die so fast."

Filed beside it

Secrets overheard from animal (demon) conversation Man transformed as ant, learns secret of freeing princess Conversation of objects overheard Overheard (human) conversation Enigmatical smile (laugh) reveals secret knowledge Secret physical peculiarity discovered by barber. (Midas.) Daughter lousing mother weeps and reveals secret King in disguise to learn secrets of his subjects Newborn babe reveals secret; then becomes silent Foolish attempt of second man to overhear secrets (from animals, demons etc.). He is punished Secret name overheard by eavesdropper Secret of unique vulnerability disclosed Secret wealth betrayed by money left in borrowed money-scales Secret escapes with man's blood Secret learned by torture Giant unwittingly reveals span of life to dwarf, who is thus emboldened to attack him

Carried in tale types

The Two Travelers · ATU 613 162 recorded variants
The Prince as Bird · ATU 432 2 recorded variants

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