Girl promises unborn child to devil if he will suffer the birth pangs — Mythoi

Motif

Girl promises unborn child to devil if he will suffer the birth pangs.

Unnatural cruelty. · Cruel sacrifices. · Reasons for promise (sale) of child. · view the constellation · filed as S223.1

Filed across the traditions

Finnish Aarne FFC XXXIII 40 No. 31**
Lithuanian Balys Index No. 3254, Legends Nos. 370ff.

Within the index

Filed under Childless couple promise child to the devil if they may only have one.

Filed beside it

Robert the Devil. Childless couple wish for a child even if he comes from the devil. He is diabolical Maid pledged to devil dresses conspicuously Mother curses her unborn child. (Cf. M411.1.) An old maid promises the devil her first born. She wishes to get a husband Childless couple promise one of two children to devil if they may only have them

Carried in tale types

Robber Madej (previously The Devil's Contract) · ATU 756B 6 recorded variants

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