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Motifs
- Forgetting Charon's fee. Philosopher forgets to put coin in mouth before death (Charon's fee). Charon: "Don't you know the custom?" Answer: "Yes, but I couldn't put off dying for a quarter!" E489.3
- "Why didn't you stay on the horse?" The rider: "I couldn't; you see, it ended there" (pointing to horse's head). J1483.4
- Where the ducks ford. A fool is asked where the river is fordable. He says, "Everywhere." The man tries to ride across and is almost drowned. The fool, "Those little ducks were able to cross here; why couldn't a big fellow like you?" J1919.2
- Couldn't wait to dress. The overzealous visitor rides naked to see his friends. J2517
- Why he couldn't see. One fool to another: "What would happen if you cut off your nose?" "I couldn't smell." "What would happen if you cut off your ears?" "I couldn't see." "Why couldn't you see?" "My hat would fall down over my eyes." J2721