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Motifs — first 20 of 31
- 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
- "Never believe what is beyond belief": counsel proved wise by experience. Man believes when bird tells him that she has a precious gem in her body. (Cf. J21.12, K604.) J21.13
- Witness claims the borrowed coat: discredited. Trickster summoned to court on Jew's complaint refuses to go unless he has a new coat: Jew lends him his. In court the trickster says that the Jew is a liar: "He will even claim that I am wearing his coat." The Jew does so and no one believes him. J1151.2
- God in the puddle. A Jew objects to the doctrine that God could exist in the Virgin Mary. A disputant asks if he believes God is everywhere; then if God is in a mud puddle. The Jew agrees. The disputant condemns the Jew for believing that God could exist in a puddle and not in a pure virgin. J1262.2
- How the tail pointed. One who believes in auguries asks peasant woman if she has seen a bird. "Yes, a crow." And in what direction was his tail pointing?" Answer: "Toward the rear!" J1305
- Overcurious wife learns of the senate's deliberations. Husband (son) tells her that they have decided that each man may have many wives. Gullible wife believes it. J1546
- Author believes that his book must be stupid. Stupid people and gossipers are praising it. J1714.4
- Foolish wife believes goats' heads are human heads. J1762.9
- Fool believes realistic story. Inappropriate action. J1849.1
- Teaching chickens to talk. Fool believes they can be taught. J1882.1
- Fool believes that he has begot child with his sister by an earbox. J1919.7
- Fool at baths believes he is someone else. Sees everybody naked. Puts straw on his shoulder to identify himself. Straw floats to another bather. "You are me and I am you!" J2012.6
- Fool believes plea of not guilty even though he has seen man injure him. J2045
- The shepherd who cried "Wolf!" too often. When the wolf really comes no one believes him. J2172.1
- Book gives wisdom. A man believes himself wise because he has a book which he uses but does not understand. J2238
- Chanticleer believes that his crowing makes the sun rise. Disappointed when it rises without his aid. J2272.1
- Man believes he is to die when he breaks wind. Lies down for dead. J2311.1.1
- Man believes, he will die when water falls on his head. J2311.1.3
- Numskull believes he is dead when pumpkin falls on his head. J2311.1.3.1
- Man believes he will die when he gets a scarlet thread on his coat. J2311.1.4
Tale types