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Motifs
- St. Peter as ruler for the air and rain. Often misunderstands the orders of God. A287.2
- Origin of physical defects. Wicked people entering heaven on rope fall to earth and are injured. St. Peter misunderstands what God says and lets them fall. A1338
- Animal understands human speech. B212
- Fox understands human speech. B212.1
- Knowledge of animal languages. Person understands them. B216
- Enigmatic statement betrays incest. (Cf. T411.) Woman, recognizing cleric as her son by her father (Fiachna), gives him a drink of milk and says, "I give drink to my brother; he is Fiachna's son, he is Fiachna's grandson; his mother is Fiachna's daughter." The son's reply shows that he understands the situation. H582.2.1
- Wife dismisses maid who is husband's mistress and tells him she has fled. Husband understands and reforms. J1112.2
- Countryman misunderstands comforts of city. Thinks latrine is kitchen, refuses to take a walk because he fears high houses will fall upon him, etc. J1742.5
- Turkish ambassador misunderstands Christian ceremonies. Makes ridiculous report to his king. J1825
- The student from paradise. A student tells a woman that he comes from Paris. She understands him to say from paradise and gives him money and goods to take to her husband. J2326
- Dupe betrayed by asking him ambiguous questions. They are phrased in such a way that he understands them differently from the way they are intended. K493
- Ferocious animal (ogre) misunderstands victim's remark: flees in fright. K547.5
- Detection by accidental remark. Wife misunderstands husband's remark and confesses. N275.3
- Monk rebukes brethren who succumb to temptation. When he is exposed to it he understands what temptation is. U231.1
- Saint understands language of wren, fly, cat. V223.5.1