μῦθοι Mythoi
Motif

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

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

Filed across the traditions
  • Icelandic *Boberg
  • India *Thompson-Balys
  • Africa (Swahili) Steere 379.
  • general *Type 756B
  • general *BP III 107
  • general *Wesselski Märchen 242 No. 52
  • general *Andrejev FFC LXIX 49, 52, *223ff.
Within the index

Filed under Reasons for promise (sale) of child.

6 finer motifs beneath 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 Girl promises unborn child to devil if he will suffer the birth pangs 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
Filed beside it
Child sold (promised) for money Child promised to devil for acting as godfather. (Cf. N411.) Child promised to devil for help on road with broken wagon Child promised to devil for directions out of woods when father is lost Child promised to devil in exchange for a good catch of fish Daughter promised to monster as bride to secure flower (bird) she has asked for Daughter promised to tiger in marriage for help in carrying load. (Cf. B620.1.) Children given in return for being taught magic Children sold in exchange for food Angry man gives away his daughter to a beggar
Carried in tale types

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