“fool” — Mythoi

Motifs — first 20 of 637

Twin culture heroes – one foolish, one clever. (Cf. A525.) A515.1.1.2
Men and animals readjust span of life. At first, thirty years are given to all animals and to man. For the animals it is too long, for man too short. Man is given a portion of animals' lives. Years 1–30 vigorous (man's own); 30–48 burdens and blows (ass's); 48–60 no teeth (dog's); 60–70 foolish (monkey's). A1321
Bad women from transformed hog and goose. Peter, having only one daughter, foolishly promises her to three men. He asks the Lord to create two others. This request is granted. The first creature he meets on two successive mornings he is to greet, and they will be transformed. He meets a hog and a goose. His two new daughters have these characteristics. A1371.3
Grave (of man) upon which no women can look without foolish laugh or "sine crepitu ventris eius." C181.7
Magic object acquired through foolish bargain. D837
Magic object exchanged for worthless. Foolish brother (wife) exchanges old object for new. D871.1
Laughing fish reveals unjust judgment. A severe judgment is rendered for a small offence. As the convicted man is being led away, a dead (dried) fish is heard to laugh. The fish reveals that he has laughed at the foolishness of the judge who, while he punishes minor offences severely, is unable to see the capital crimes in his own household. (Cf. D1281.) D1318.2.1
Magic object makes person foolish. D1353
Magic rain makes people foolish. All on whom it falls act like fools. (Cf. D902.) D1353.1
King and fool identical in appearance. F577.3
Demons fool men in their dreams. (Cf. G303.11.1.) G302.9.6
Princess brought to laughter by foolish actions of hero. H341.3
Tasks assigned because of mother's foolish boasting. The mother foolishly boasts to the king that the daughter can perform an impossible task (often spinning). H914
Tasks assigned because of girl's (boy's) own foolish boast. H915
Tasks imposed because of wife's foolish boast. H916.1
Task imposed because of girl's foolish boast. H916.2
Quest for the greatest of fools. H1312
Fools learn to be peaceable. Two fools in the habit of striking people are brought together when they strike each other until they appreciate the value of peace. J24
Boy saves life by showing father foolishness of plowing up his crop. Father has been persuaded to kill child. J92
Fool digs holes in edge of road. Only those departing from straight path will fall in. Truth of principle later seen. J95

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