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Motifs — first 20 of 91
- Moon wants to marry his sister the sun. She is angered and throws hot ashes on his face. A751.5.2.1
- Discourteous answer: why cow (horse) is always eating. When God (Peter) wants to use the cow (horse) the excuse is made that she (he) is eating. Curse: "May you always be eating!" (Cf. A2472.1, A2478.) A2231.1.1
- Beetle makes immoderate request; ant moderate: inverse awards. Creator hears wishes of animals. Beetle wants strong, noble appearance. Ant is modest. Beetle punished by being made to creep on ground. Ant is given own castle. (Cf. A2441.3.1.) A2232.3
- Christ puts knots in wood. Peter, angry at carpenters wants Christ to have iron knots in wood. Christ does make hard knots but not iron. (Cf. A2755.4.) A2738
- Animal transformed to man wants to marry woman. B650.1
- Stepson cursed to stick in grave mound till pretty girl wants to substitute for him. D5.1.1
- By means of magic bag it is possible to stay as long on the bottom of the sea as one wants. (Cf. D1193.) D1388.0.5
- By means of magic helmet it is possible to stay on the bottom of the sea as long as one wants. (Cf. D1101.4.) D1388.0.6
- Magic powder makes objects speak what owner wants them to. (Cf. D1246.) D1610.0.1
- Ghosts punish failure to provide for their wants. Haunt man because he does not leave food and drink for them. E245
- Saint after his death gives directions where he wants to be buried. E545.15
- Dwarf can take what shape he wants. F451.3.3.0.1
- Dwarf wants to warm self at fire. F451.5.7.1
- Giant's toy. A young giantess picks up a man plowing. Wants him as a toy. Her mother says, "Take him back. He will drive us away." (Cf. F531.5.1.) F531.5.3
- Devil appears to girl who wants an escort for a dance. G303.10.4.4
- Task: selling three old women. (Devil finds that no one wants them.) H1153
- Monk shames accuser by telling parable. Wind, Water, and Modesty (Sense of Shame). The first two give their addresses but the third says she has no address as no one wants her. J91
- Wisdom from fool: heaven refused. Fool says he does not want to go to heaven for he wants to stay with his master, who everyone says is going to hell. Master repents. J156.4
- Host wants to learn Hebrew even at risk of forgetting his own language. J344.2
- Friendship of snake and frog ceases when snake wants to eat frog. J426.2
Tale types
- ATU 1159 The Ogre Caught in the Cleft (previously The Ogre Wants to Learn to Play)
- ATU 1289 Each Wants to Sleep in the Middle
- ATU 1485A* Old Maid Wants to Attract Attention
- ATU 1832T* 'Who Was the Father of Noah's Sons' A foolish farmer (young man) wants to become a sexton (teacher)
- ATU 1871C The Cynic Wants Sunlight
- ATU 231** The Falcon and the Doves (previously The Eagle Wants to Tear the Dove to Pieces)
- ATU 313E* The Sister's Flight (previously Girl Flees from Brother who Wants to Marry her)
- ATU 47D The Dog Wants to Imitate the Wolf (previously The Dog Imitating a Wolf Wants to Slay a Horse)
- ATU 66A 'Hello, House!' An animal (crocodile) wants to catch a weaker animal (jackal, monkey) and hides in wait in its den
- ATU 765 The Mother who Wants to Kill her Children [S12]