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Motifs
- Ordeal by holy water. If simpleton closes his eyes to holy water he is possessed; if he laughs he is merely an idiot. H222.2
- Man learns the fear of Death by meeting Life. Life (old woman) beheads him and replaces his head backwards. Simpleton left in fear for hours before head is readjusted. J27
- Dissuasion from suicide. Man dissuades simpleton from hanging himself by telling him that hell is a place of pain and torments. J628
- Old simpleton resolves to become a senator. He is made to believe that he is wanted as an archer and is so frightened that he dies. J955.4
- Simpleton thinks his reflection in jar of melted butter is thief; strikes at the jar and breaks it. J1791.7.1
- Owl's hoot misunderstood by lost simpleton. J1811.1
- Boiling milk thought to be overflowing. Simpleton lets it run over. J1813.2
- Simpleton sleeping in cold room breaks window to let the cold out. (Cf. J2123.) J1819.2
- Simpleton addresses a field of reeds. J1883.1
- Simpleton's ignorance of anatomy leads him to share his wife with a priest. J1919.6
- Simpleton drives goats into a well, because he thinks it would be cooler for them. J1959.1
- Obscene tricks are played on repugnant simpleton who wishes to marry. K1218.9
- Simpleton's naive answer to robbers makes them think he knows their secret. They share their loot with him. L141.2
- Sham magician causes simpleton's death. Is frightened to death by the impersonation of demons. N384.6