μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Criminal accidentally detected: "That is the first" – sleepy woman counting her yawns. Robber hearing her flees. (Cf. N612.)

Chance and fate. · Lucky accidents. · Other lucky accidents. · Accidental discovery of crime. · view the constellation · filed as N611.2

Filed across the traditions
  • U.S. Baughman.
  • general *BP II 412
Within the index

Filed under Criminal accidentally detected: "that is the first."

Filed beside it
Criminal accidentally detected: "that is the first" – sham wise man. The sham wise man employed to detect theft is feasted. As the servants enter with food he remarks to his wife, "That is the first" (course). (Or allowed to feast for three days remarks at end of first day "That is the first.") The servants, thinking they are detected, confess Numskull bridegroom unwittingly sings out phrases that thieves mistake to mean he has detected them Thief hears owner of house singing "Bore and throw out the earth" and thinks himself detected. Offers owner money to purchase his silence
Travels with (Thompson’s cf.)
Numskull talks to himself and frightens robbers away
Carried in tale types

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