μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

Whale-boat. A man is carried across the water on a whale (fish). (He usually deceives the whale as to the nearness of the land or as to hearing thunder. As a consequence the whale runs into the shore or is killed by lightning.)

Captives and fugitives. · Escapes and pursuits. · Flights. · view the constellation · filed as R245

Attested across traditions
Filed across the traditions
  • Maori Dixon 8
  • N. Am. Indian *Thompson Tales 327 n. 179
  • Jamaica Beckwith MAFLS XVII 256f. Nos. 38, 39, 275 No. 86
  • Cape Verde Islands Parsons MAFLS XV (1) 310 n. 1.
  • general *Loomis White Magic 91
  • general cf. Aarne FFC XXIII 137
Within the index

Filed under Flights.

2 finer motifs beneath it
Crocodile-boat. Trickster props his jaws apart and leaves him Snake king takes fleeing captives across river
Filed beside it
Heroine's three-fold flight from ball. Cinderella (Cap o' Rushes) after meeting the prince at a ball (church) flees before identification is possible. Repeated three times Unknown knight. (Three days' tournament.) For three days in succession an unknown knight in different armor wins a tournament and escapes without recognition. Finally identified by tokens Girl flees to escape incestuous brother Elopement Wife flees from husband. (Cf. P210, T200.) Children leave home because their parents refuse them food Obstacle flight – Atalanta type. Objects are thrown back which the pursuer stops to pick up while the fugitive escapes Fugitive kills pursuer and takes his extraordinary horse to continue flight Fugitives cut support of bridge so that pursuer falls Pursuers aided by magic weather phenomenon Flight on skis; two on one pair Flight carrying friend (girl) on back Fugitives aided by helpful animal. (Cf. B520.) Ships burned to prevent flight Crane-bridge. Fugitives are helped across a stream by a crane who lets them cross on his leg. The pursuer is either refused assistance or drowned by the crane Flight on a tree, which ogre tries to cut down
Keeps company with — shares receipted episodes
Sharp-elbowed women. Kill with their elbows Potiphar's wife. A woman makes vain overtures to a man and then accuses him of attempting to force her Old person as helper Cruel father

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