μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Foolish attempt of second man to overhear secrets (from animals, demons etc.). He is punished.

Chance and fate. · Lucky accidents. · Valuable secrets learned. · Secrets overheard. · view the constellation · filed as N471

Filed across the traditions
  • Spanish Espinosa Jr. No. 117
  • India Thompson-Balys
  • Japanese Ikeda, Mitford 191
  • Korean Zong in-Sob 151 No. 66
  • Indonesia Dixon 216
  • Africa (Yoruba) Ellis 249ff. No. 2.
  • general *Types 461, 503, 613, 676
  • general *BP II 468ff., III 137ff., 324ff.
  • general *Aarne FFC XXIII 169
  • general *Christiansen FFC XXIV 103ff.
  • general *Hdwb. d. Märchens I 230b s. v. "Belauschen von Dämonen". Missouri French: Carrière
  • general N. Am. Indian (Pochulata): Boas JAFL XXV 223
Within the index

Filed under Secrets overheard.

Filed beside it
Secrets overheard from animal (demon) conversation Secret remedy overheard in conversation of animals (witches) 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 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

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