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Motifs
- King improves kingdom before leaving it to his sons. He leaves it smaller but much stronger and richer. J701.2
- Snake disregards warnings to improve his manners: eaten by crab. J1053
- Man who never does any piece of work so well that he cannot improve it. J1073.1
- Hired men sing of displeasure with food; change song when food is improved (cante fable). The Westmoreland text follows: (Mowers sing this very slowly, mow in tempo)|Curds and whey, Iv-ve-ry day,|(After the food is improved they sing and work in tempo)|Ham and eggs, mind thy legs. (Cf. K1546.) J1341.11
- The servant to improve on the master's statements. The wooer makes boasts to the girl and the servant always doubles the master's boast. Finally the master says, "I have poor eyesight." – The servant, "You don't see at all." (Or the master coughs and apologizes; the servant says that he coughs all night.) J2464
- Fast improves health. V73.2