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Motifs — first 20 of 28
- Pleiades six repudiated wives. They have been cast out for apparent infidelity. A773.2
- Theft from church prevented by apparent heat. D1389.2.1
- Forgotten fiancée reawakens husband's memory by detaining lovers through magic. Heroine takes up residence near home of her forgetful husband. She is apparently going to permit a lover to sleep with her when she detains him by having him try to place some magic birds on their roost. They continue to fall down throughout the night. (Or the lover is left magically sticking to a calf's tail or other object.) The thwarted lover tells of his experience, and in this way the attention of the husband is gained. D2006.1.1
- Apparently dead persons revived when certain thing happens. Proper prince appears, or the like. E68
- House burns for no apparent reason. F473.2.4
- Maiden who has been falsely accused apparently dies of sorrow. She revives on being prepared for burial. F1041.1.3.1
- Enigmatic statements. Apparently senseless remarks (or acts) interpreted figuratively prove wise. H580
- Suitor tested by apparent threats to his person. H1406
- Choice: apparent injustice over greater wrong. J225
- Choice: real and apparent values. J230
- Apparent beauty may be of the least importance. Ruler admires jewels's beauty but neglects to inquire about their marvelous virtues. J264
- No clothes needed for Day of Judgment. Friends tell a man that the next day is the Day of Judgment and urge him to kill a lamb and give a feast. He apparently consents. He then burns up their clothes. They will not need clothes on the Day of Judgment. J1511.7
- Burial in old grave to deceive angel. Fool thinks that the angel who comes to question him will pass him by since he has apparently been dead a long time. J2212.2
- Letter believed against clear evidence. Fool believes letter apparently reporting his uncle's death, though he has just seen uncle. J2528
- Thief distracts attention by apparently hanging (stabbing) himself. K341.3
- Apparently dead woman revives when thief tries to steal from her grave. K426
- Bluff: wealth gained by seeming to be in the king's confidence. Courtier asks the king for a reward that will cost nothing. He gets permission to listen to the king's devotions. He now receives bribes because of his apparent influence. K1782
- Apparently pious man (sadhu) a thief. K2058.1
- Woman makes vain overtures to stepson and falsely accuses him of murder. She tries to poison him but her own son accidentally takes the beverage and apparently dies. Plot is revealed when doctor states that he had substituted sleeping potion for the poison. K2111.1
- Safety in shadow of wall. After many misfortunes the man is apparently safe. The wall falls on him. N253