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Motifs
- Earth Diver. From a raft in the primeval sea, the creator sends down animals to try to bring up earth. After a number of animals have failed, one (often the muskrat) succeeds. The earth is made from the bit brought up. A812
- Devil as Earth Diver. Satan dives for earth at instance of God. Succeeds only third time (by use of right formula). He hides the earth under his tongue. It swells, and he must be rescued by God. A812.1
- Creation of diver (bird). A1975
- God throws diver's feet after him; hence his feet reach backward. (Cf. A2371.2.9.) A2215.6
- Diver eats nests of small birds: must not nest away from water. (Cf. A2431.3.2.) A2238.4
- Bat, diver, and thornbush shipwrecked. Bat brought money, bush put on clothes, and diver brought leather. All shipwrecked. Diver is looking for his leather. Bush looks for his clothers and holds fast to all passers-by. Bat is abroad only at night to escape creditors. (Cf. A2471.4, A2491.1.) A2275.5.3
- Why helldiver has flat stern. Culture hero kicked him. A2356.2.10
- Why diver (loon) holds legs backward. (Cf. A2215.6.) A2371.2.9
- Diver's nest. (Cf. A2238.4.) A2431.3.2
- Why diver always looks at sea. (Cf. A2275.5.3.) A2471.4
- Mighty diver. Can stay extraordinary time under water. F639.2
- Seductive women attempt to divert quester. H1239.5
- Logically absurd defenses. Thief brought to judgment for breaking into house blames mason for building poor house. Mason blames maker of mortar, who blames potter, who blames pretty woman who diverted his attention. She blames goldsmith who caused her to go for her earrings. Goldsmith has no one to blame but he is too old to make a good execution. Hence a shopkeeper across the way is convicted. J2233
- Besiegers drowned by diversion of river. K2369.5
- Ruler diverts attention from misgovernment by beginning a war. K2381
- Lie: remarkable diver. X965
- Wall in construction collapses. Finally the king finds out that the sea is guilty. (The chain: mason – cement mixer – beautifully singing woman – pearl necklace – jeweller – diver – sea.) Z49.11.1