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Motifs
- Pre-existing world of gods above. Such a world is assumed before the real creation of the universe. Though this belief is not explicitly set forth in many mythologies, it seems to be implied in most of the North American Indian systems. See, for example, motif A31, Creator's grandmother. A631
- Person frightened by animals successively replying to his remarks. Example: Man riding horse and followed by dog tells horse to jump over a hole. Horse says, "I will not." Man turns to dog and says, "Isn't that strange – a horse talking!" The dog says, "Yes, isn't it." Often the man runs, meeting other animals which answer him, until he falls exhausted. B210.1
- Ruler learns lesson from the example of an exiled king. Rewards the exile rather than a successful merchant. J55
- Animal gives wise example to man. J133
- Wisdom learned from example of insects. J137
- Wisdom taught by suicidal example. Man is ordered by Senate to make tyrant stop bloodshed. He kills himself and family to satiate tyrant of blood. J173
- Master sets servant example by eating rind first: fills up and never reaches the fruit. J2178.1
- King's example makes merchant wealthy. The king buys shoes for a high price and then has all his dinner guests buy them. N415
- King sees how male stork kills his unfaithful wife. Follows its example. T252.2.1
- Learning a trade in bed. Working independently, the lazy fellow spoils the materials received – starts making something big, which at the end turns to nothing. For example, begins with forging a plough: this becomes an axe, the axe a knife, and knife a needle, the needle – nothing. (Cf. J2080.) W111.5.9
- Names of persons in the Trinity. The priest's example: the three cows. The boy: "The Holy Ghost has just had a calf." X435.4