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Motifs — first 20 of 158
- Repeated transformations to deceive wives. A husband thus makes each of his many wives believe that he is always with her. D616
- Man magically made to believe himself bishop, archbishop, and pope. When he continues to refuse payment to the magician, the latter shows him the reality. D2031.5
- Ghost of woman chides unbeliever. E367.5
- Changeling made to believe that his house is burning up; he leaves. F321.1.4.9
- The purchased cobold discarded. On way home man believes himself cheated, and throws box with fly or piece of charcoal away. Later passing same place he finds a heap of corn or money. F481.0.1.2.1
- Witch makes girl believe her lover has ass's head. G269.22
- Witch makes man believe a dead bull is alive and chasing him. G269.24
- Devil by trick conjures vision to make idolators of believers. G303.9.4.5.1
- Test: telling five lies which should so closely resemble the truth the tester will believe them himself. H509.5.1
- Where is the center of the earth? Here; if you don't believe it, measure it yourself. H681.3.1
- How far is it from earth to heaven? So and so high, and if you don't believe it, measure it yourself. H682.1.3
- How wide is heaven? So and so wide, and if you do not believe it, go measure it yourself. H682.2.1
- How much does the moon weigh? So and so much, and if you don't believe it go and weigh it yourself. H691.1.2
- How much water is in the sea? So and so much, and if you don't believe it, go measure it yourself. H696.1.2
- How many stars in the heavens? As many as the grains of sand; if you don't believe it, count them yourself. H702.1
- How many stars in the heaven? Two million; if you don't believe it, count them yourself. H702.1.1
- How many stars in the heavens? As many as the hairs in the head; if you don't believe it, count them yourself. H702.2
- How many stars in the heavens? As many as the points on paper; if you don't believe it, count them yourself. H702.3
- How many hairs are there in the head? As many as are in the tail of my ass; if you don't believe it we will keep pulling out one hair from your beard and one from his tail. H703.1
- How many leaves are on the tree? So and so many; and if you don't believe it, go count them. H705.2
Tale types
- ATU 1284A White Man Made to Believe he is Black [K2013
- ATU 1319H* Boat Believed to Have Had a Child (previously Boat Believed to Have Had a Colt)
- ATU 1348** The Man who Believes his own Lie
- ATU 1560 Make-believe Eating; Make-believe Work
- ATU 1698C Two Persons Believe Each Other Deaf
- ATU 1855A Jewish Woman Makes Parents Believe that she Is to Give Birth to the Messiah
- ATU 459 The Make-Believe Son (Daughter)