Hungarians



Tradition title rus: 
Венгры
Areal ID: 
3.5.3.1
Tradition analysis result motif count all: 
563.00
Tradition analysis result motif count cosmo: 
128.00

Linked Motifs

MotifNameDescription
a1The old sunAnother sun, usually less benevolent and/or powerful, existed before the present one
a12Eclipses: monster’s attackSome creature or creatures regularly (sunrise and sunset, summer and winter, lunar phases) or irregularly (solar and lunar eclipses, eschatological events) attack the luminaries or shade their light
a12aEclipses: a predator animalDuring an eclipse or at other circumstances the Sun or the Moon are attacked by a predator animal (a bear, a feline, a canine, a racoon)
a12dEclipses: birdsA bird or birds attack or shade the Sun or the Moon during an eclipse or at the sunrise and sunset
a23cWho will fly higher?Birds argue who of them will fly higher. One who seemed to have less chances wins (he hides himself in feathers of a strong bird using it as a vehicle)
a29The Sun and a demon compete for the heroTwo persons one of which is connected with the upper and another with the lower or middle world, both are eager to possess another person and pull him or her to his or her side. One or both rivals are female. Person connected with the upper world and/or the object of the competition are luminaries – the Sun, the Moon, or Venus
a29aTorn in half by two womenThe sky wife and the woman from the earth (the demon) each pull the man to her side, As a result he turns into the night luminary
a2dSuns of the other worldsDifferent suns illuminate different worlds or will appear successively in the future
a3Male sun and female moonThe Moon is female or bisexual, the Sun is male
a32Figure on lunar discA figure or an imprint of some being or object are seen in the Moon. (For statistical analysis motifs A32A – A32J are also included into A32)
a32dMan in the MoonHuman being or imprint of human being is seen in the moon
a32d1Cain and Abel in the MoonCain and Abel are related to the Moon, usually are seen (both or Cain only) in the shadows of the lunar disc
a32ePerson with an object in handsPerson who holds some object in his or her hands is seen in the moon (rare: in the sun)
a32iA shepherd in the moonA shepherd or herdsman (alone or with a girl, with his herd, dogs) is seen in the moon
a39aTwelve monthsEach of calender units (usually the months) that make the year is a separate object or person
a5The Sun and the Moon are malesThe Moon is male, the Sun is also male or (much more rare) asexual
a8aThe Sun, the Moon and the star: released by the hero
b104aMeat springs as toad on the face of an ungrateful sonA couple (son) intends to eat a roasted chicken (meat). When the man’s old father passes by unexpectedly, they hide the chicken in order not to share it with him. When the old man continues on his way and they replace the chicken on the table, it has turned into a toad (snake) and humps onto the son’s face where it stays until his death
b115aKnots put in woodPerson (St. Peter), angry at carpents, wants another (Christ) to make wood (trees) with iron knots (branches, nails) but the latter makes the branches only of hard wood
b117The dogs' certificateThe animals (usually dogs) got a certificate which was lost because of the cat (is swallowed by the cat, burned, eaten by mice). Since them dogs and cats are enemies, usually also cats and mice
b125Animals exchange their organsDuring the time of creation particular species of animals (rare: plants) exchanged certain organs or traits or one animal borrowed an organ from another one but never brought it back. Thence the characteristics of these animals now. In rare cases the back exchange and restoring of the initial situation or the passing of certain organ from one animal to another without compensation are described
b16cSalt-grinding millMagic mill is ordered to grind salt but not ordered to stop. It sinks into ocean and continues to work making the water salty
b33Mother of windFemale person is incarnation of wind, mother of winds, etc.
b33aPerson dies of cold in the springWhen it becomes warm, a person or animal (bird) decides that the winter is over (most often an old woman goes to graze her animals) but dies of cold or the animals that had been deiven to the pasture die
b33fNight that unwinds her yarnThanks to activity of a person (usually the old woman who winds or unwinds yarn, threads, etc.), the night and the day alternate with each other
b33f1Mistress of night and dayCommitting particular acts, an (old) woman defines alternation of night and day
b33f2In search of the fire, hero ties up an old womanAt night, the fire fades away, and the hero goes in search of it. On his way, he ties up an old woman or an old man (usually, they are responsible for the duration of night and day)
b33hThe mother of the SunThe Sun has the mother who shares with him (rare: her) his dwelling place
b3aPrimeval watersWater is the original element, the dry earth appears later
b3bEarth grows bigOriginal earth was small and later increased in size or the fertile soil grew from a small amount of original substance
b3cAn attempt to drown GodWhen dry land is created, Creator takes a rest and sleeps. His antagonist decides to drown him and drags him to the edge of the earth. The dry land grows in size as long as the antagonist drags the Creator's body, the edge never reached
b40aMissed opportunity to have hornsAnimal who has no horns now had them before or missed opportunity to get them
b40bHorse exchanges features with cowThe horse exchanges some parts of his body with the cow, usually gives her horns and/or obtains teeth
b42qUrsa major is a carriageUrsa major is identified with a carriage, a cart
b77Primeval sky close to earthOriginally the sky was close to the earth, then it has risen up
b87AlcorAlcor (a weak star near the second star of the handle of the Big Dipper) is selected as a particular sky object
b87bA harnessed wolfBig Dipper is a cart with a harnessed wolf or bear. Usually it is explained that the handle of the Big Dipper is not straight because a wolf or a bear (identified with Alcor or with the last star of the handle, η) attacked an ox that was dragging a cart and was harnessed instead of it
b87cAlcor is a riderAlcor (a weak star near Mizar, the second star of the Big Dipper’s handle) is a rider, a driver
b98The bat between birds and animalsBat (rare: ostrich) makes attempts to join sometimes animals and sometime birds or is excluded from both categories
b98aBat becomes an outcastThe bat becomes an outcast among other creatures (usually after it makes attempts to join first animals and then birds or vice versa)
c19Acquisition of the sunThe Sun (the day light) that was absent, stolen or hidden appears (again)
c30aA pound of fleshA contract entitles the lender of a sum of money to cut a certain amount of flesh (or eye, head, limb, etc.) from the debtor’s body if the load is not repaid in time. The lender cannot cut out the flesh being unable to fulfill a condition that looks logical but is practically absurd
c6Valuables brought from the lower worldPersons or animals dive or otherwise decend to the lower world to get a desired object and to bring it to earth (besides episodes in the fairytales, cf. motif k27x9)
c6dThe aquisition of the earth from the lower worldThe dry land (the earth) grows from a small amount of solid substance (sand, clay, dirt and the like) brought from the lower world (usually from the bottom of the ocean)
c6j1The earth is brought by the God's enemyGod sends his enemy to bring earth from the bottom of the waterbody. In the beginning, the enemy or also the god can have guise of birds. When the earth is brought up and dry land created, two persons, now always anthropomorphic, are engaged into confrontation
e11The burned skinMagic person reveals his true nature and/or remains with the real people after the object responsible for preserving the non-human appearance (usually an animal skin) is destroyed (usually burned)
e31aCreators and rescuers of a girlSeveral men take part in rescuing, creation or reanimation of a girl (rare: a bird) or several women take part in the reanimation of a dead man or they differetly express their grief. It is asked whose role was crucial (who behavior more noble) and/or who should be the spouse of the reanimated person. Or three men make something valuable and it is asked whose role in the corresponding enterprise was more important
e36Hard covering of the bodyHuman body was or could be protected with a hard layer (rare: with hair) but it has been preserved only on fingers and toes (on the head)
e8cWoman hides in a chipA woman hides in a chip of wood (in a twig) that was brought to house and comes out when nobody is nearby
e9The mysterious housekeeperPerson observes traces of some activity that takes place in his (rare: her) house in his (her) absence and then takes by surprise the responsible one
e9i1Swan-wifeA man marries supernatural woman who is a swan
e9i2Duck-wifeA man marries supernatural woman who is a duck
f35aFeeding with the kin’s meatPerson does not know that he or she eats or cooks the meat of the member of his or her household (blood relation, more rare a spouse or servant) or serves it to his or her friends, or uses her or his bones for everyday needs, or slowly kills him ort her
f5Brides for the first menPerson cannot or do not want to give his daughters in marriage to all the men who claim them for wives and transforms animals into girls. (Usually in the beginning of times or after the flood many men come to marry the only daughter of God or patriarch)transforms animals into girls
f51bFollowing the threadTo get know the nature or locality of a person, another fastens a thread to his body and follows it
f54OedipusA young man and a woman (Konkani: a young girl and a man) marry and later get to know that they commited incest
f54eUnintentional killing of fatherA young man kills somebody and later gets to know that ut was his father
f5aWoman created from a tailWhen God intends to create Eve from Adam’s rib, an animal (dof, cat, monkey, fox, snake) or a devil steals it. God (or his angel) pursues it and catches its tail. The tail tears off, God creates Eve from it. Or God made Eve from edible material and a dog devoured it, so God had to make Eve from Adam’s rib. Or God cut off Adam’s tail and made Eve from it.
f62Incognito at the feastAn (ostensibly) sick (ugly, weak, poorly clad) person remains at home when others go to the feast. The person comes by himself or herself looking like a handsome man or beautiful girl. The man (woman) does not recognize him (her) and feels against her (him) sexual interestю (All texts with motif k57, Chinderella, are also included into f62)
f70Potiphar's wife: false accusation of sexual abuseWoman makes vain overtures to young man and/or falsely accuses him of sexual abuse. Her husband believes that the young man is guilty, kills or tries to kill him
f70aDisordered clothes as evidence against innocent manTo accuse a man or boy of (sexual) abbuse, a woman tears her clothes, smears or scratches her body pretending to be attacked
f70bRevenge of a rejected womanA woman revenges on a man who rejected her love but necessary not pretends to be an object of sexual harassment from his part
f71Susan and the old men (the innocent slandered maiden)An innocent girl or young woman rejects a man who attempts to seduce her. The man accuses her of loose conduct, ultimately the truth comes to light
f83aIndecent proposal made through childrenAnimal person comes to children of a big predator and tells them that he will copulate with their mother (or that he will beat her)
f9A dangerous womanFor different reasons, sexual contact with a woman is deadly dangerous for a man
f97The prohibited fruit: origin of sexAfter eating certain fruit, berry, tuber, etc. people become sexually aware
f9f1Snake inside womanPoisonous snake (snakes, scorpions) comes out of the mouth of a woman {Motif F9f1 and K100c are almost identical but F9f1 links to a cluster of etiological/cosmological motifs related to the idea of a dangerous woman while K100c is related to adventures}
f9gBrunhildeA strong woman overcomes and kills suitors. Hero or his helper tames her (usually whips in the wedding night). The hero marries her
g6Primeval treeOne of the trees is the principal, original one (emerged before all the other; ancestor of wild or cultivated plants; ocean or rivers inside it; world axis; higher than all the others; overshadows sky)
h24Container opened too earlyContainer with valuables or with dangerous creatures is opened (before time). Its content goes out of control or disappear
h41Death and the dogDog is responsible for people being mortal or imperfect. Usually the antagonist bribes dog with a warm fur and the dog lets him spoil the half-ready human figures
h45The abused breadA woman or child demonstrate no respect for bread soiling it with excrements. For this God punishes all the humanity
h51The demonic horseA horse eats people or is associated with antagonist of the God
h52The land of immortalityPerson finds a land where there is no death. Setting off to visit his home country, he does not come to this land again
h52aDeath tricks a person to touch the groundComing back from the land of immortality, the hero should not touch the ground. However, he comes down from his horse to help an old man (old woman). It was Death in guise of an old man and he kills the hero on the spot. Rare: at the last moment the hero decides not to commit fatal acts and returns to the land of immortality
h52bThe search of immortalitySetting off in search of the land of immortality, the hero comes across persons or animals who are involved in activity that needs tremendous time to be completed. However the hero is eager to obtain not the long but the eternal life and he continues his search
h54The eyelids of ViyEyelids (eyelashes, eyebrows) of personage hang long down over his eyes. To make the eyes widely opened, the eyelids (eyelashes, eyebrows) should be propped up with poles, folks, sticks, etc. (rare: cut off)
h55bThe robber who repents his misdeedsA man who has visited hell (met the God) tells the robber about tortures prepared for him in the future. The robber accepts this news with resignation, does penance and ultimately is saved. Usually a hermit who decides that God is unjust in this case is punished
h7The personified DeathDeath (also Old Age, Disease, etc.) is a particular person not identical with the Master of the Dead. He kills people usually carrying away their souls
h7aThe Death and a doctorMan receives from Death (Fortune, some spirit) knowledge will the patient recover or die. He becomes a doctor and receives rich rewards. Usually he gets the ability to see Death near the bed of a patient and considering a particular place where Death stands, gets to know perspectives of recovering
h7cThe unfinished prayerDeath promises to take a man after he has finished a prayer. The man begins to pray but does not finish his prayer and the Death cannot take him
h7dThe old man asks Death to help him to carry a loadAn old man has to carry a heavy load of wood. Tired and exhausted, he wishes for death. When Death appears he asks her to help him with the load
i110Night sky agriculturalistsConstellation are interpreted as agricultural tools or people occupied with agricultural works (mostly ploughing and haymaking)
i110aThe star ploughOrion (rare: other constellation) is a plough
i110bOrion is mowers(Belt of) Orion is (three) mowers or agricultural tools related to mowing and harvesting
i114The golden fleeceA ram (lamn, sheep) who has golden fleece or the skin of such a ram is described
i12The world axisA tree or post pierces and unites different layers of the universe
i120CornucopiaFood and clothes are extracted from the horn of a cow or goat
i120bExtracting values from animal’s earPerson takes from the ear of an animal (usually a horse or a cow) food, clothes and other valuables
i121Twin constellationsTwo constellations (usually Ursa major and Ursa minor) are interpreted as twin objects of the same type (two animals, two carts, etc.)
i122The Pleiades are beesThe Pleiades are a nest, a congestion of bees or wasps (or apiary, etc.)
i130The sky netOne of costellations is a hunting or fishing net, trap, snare
i138The glass mountainA glass mountain (tower, bridge) is mentioned as a an unusual (difficult to be reache) place
i141The magic stickA stick is a tool to initiate processes which results have no rational explanation
i20The undeground dwarfsRace of dwarfs lives under the ground (deep under the earth or in hills and rocks) or at the horizon where the earth and the sky meet
i20c1Dwarfes live in hills and rocksDwarfs live not deep under the earth but in hills and rocks, usually come from there to the earth
i25The bribed guardsWay to the place of a certain person is guided by dangerous creatures (which often stand on the both sides of the pathway). Person placates them by gifts or nice talk, and they let him or her go the both ways, sometimes being punished for this by their master
i37d1Mushrooms from St. Peter’s spittleSt. Peter eats bread (cake) secretly. When Chist talks to him he tries to hide what he ei eating and spits it out. Afterwards mushrooms grow from crumbs
i38The dog-headsSome beings are half-men and half-dogs (usually anthropomorphic with heads of dogs)
i39Rainbow road or bridgeRainbow is a road, a bridge or a ladder
i41Rainbow serpentRainbow is a reptile (usually a snake) or (more rare) a fish, or it is related to snake, to its tongue, breath, or to scorpion's tail
i45aNot to point at the Moon or a starPerson who points at the Moon or a star or looks intently at them will get sick or die or his pointing finger will rot or wither
i45cNot to count starsPerson who counts stars will suffer diseases and misfortunes
i50Ungulate animal with more than four legsAn ungulate animal (a horse, an elk, a moose) with six or more legs is described or represented in art
i51aBull the earth-holderBig mammal supports the earth
i52Fish the earth-holderWorld is supported by fish or fish-like monster or the earth itself is such a monster
i55Stars are openingsStars are openings in the firmament; holes in dwelling's covering are thought to be stars
i58Milky Way is the way of birdsMilky Way is the path of migratory birds (especially wild geese)
i59Milky Way is spilled strawMilky Way is a trace of people who spilled on their way something related to agriculture (straw, chaff, hay, more rare flour, peas)
i59aThief in the skyAstral objects or lunar spots are associated with a story of a stealing and the value of the stolen objects is low (straw, firewoods, cabbage, etc.)
i59b1Milky Way is the road to a remote cityMilky Way is the road to a remote city (Rome, Jerusalem, etc.)
i61Milk on the Milky WayMilky Way is a trace of spilled milk
i65Milky Way of the deadMilky Way is the path over which souls travel to the beyond or a path of the funeral procession
i76aSnake turns into dragonAfter certain time a snake or fish turn into a dragon
i7bLightnings are fissures in the sky-vaultLightnings are fissures in the sky-vault and the sky light is seen through them for a moment
i87a2What is Two?Antagonist names numbers from one to seven or nine, every time asking what it is. The hero gives answers that the antagonist accepts as correct ones.
i87dMen in the time of giantsThe earth was inhabited by the giants. One of them finds a tiny person, brings him to his parents. Usually his father or mother esplains that this is one of those men who will live on the earth in the future instead of the present day giants
i91Water body at the base of a treeThere is a source or body of water at the base of a tree which connects layers of the universe and/or has gigantic dimensions and considered to be the main tree of the world
i92Rainbow transforms sexPerson who gets to walk under, over or through the rainbow changes his or her sex
i94The Pleiades are openingsThe Pleiades are holes in the firmament
i95The Pleiades are a sieve for grainThe Pleiades are a sieve to process agricultural products
i95cOrion is a staffOrion is a staff, a crook
i98aThe Pleiades are a hen with its chickensThe Pleiades are a brooding hen, hen with its chickens, chickens
j15Woman gets to dangerous creaturesWalking in search of her husband, boyfriend, kinsmen, shelter woman or girl gets to the house of dangerous creatures where she is injured or killed
j23A late son kills monstersPeople (elder brothers, elder siblings, elder sister) disappear (one by one). A lonely woman has a baby or finds a baby or she becomes pregnant magically and gives birth to a boy or twins. The boy grows up, exterminates the antagonists, usually revives and releases those who had disappeared
j23cYoungest brother kills monstersPeople (elder brothers, elder siblings, elder sister) disappear (one by one). A lonely woman has a baby or finds a baby or she becomes pregnant magically and gives birth to a boy. The boy grows up, exterminates the antagonists, usually revives and releases those who had disappeared
j32To identify the night thiefSome valuables (foals, hay, apples, etc.) are regularly stolen. Nobody (the elder brothers) is able to catch the thief and only the hero (the younger brother) finds who it is
j32fThe stolen applesBeing on guard, the hero gets to know who steals regularly fruits (usually apples) from the garden
j46Enemy drownsAntagonist perishes falling into the water or trying to cross a water body
j47Pursuer falls from heightPerson ascends to the sky (rare: descends from the sky; ascends the cliff) by a rope, a ladder, etc. Another person tries to follow him or her but the rope (the ladder) is broken or severed
j47aBeanstalk to the skyA plant (usually not a tree in nature and often a leguminous) grows in no time and person climbs by it to the sky
j62People turned into stonesPerson transforms people who come to him or her into inanimate objects, usually stones
j62cSister asks her brother to obtain impossibleTo get rid of a young man, his female antagonist uses a stratagem. She tells his sister (rare: tells directly him) about some wonderful objects and the girl is overcome with the desire to have them. An attempt to obtain these objects entails a risk for one’s life. The youth sets off to obtain the objects
k100A faithful servantA man gets to know about dangers that threaten another man (and often about turning into stone of anybody who would warn about these dangers). He helps the man to escape the dangers though his behavior seems strange or hostile
k100aTobiasA young man lets free a fish or an animal that was caught or he or his father renders a help to somebody. When the young man sets off for a journey, the grateful creature or person in guise of a stranger or animal becomes his companion and protector
k100cGirl’s bridegrooms are bitten by a snake. The hero or his companion eliminate the source of danger
k100f2After quenching his thirst, person breaks his chainsThe imprisoned supernatural person breaks his chains and escapes after they give him some water (or wine, etc.)
k100gThe son must be sacrificedTo revive or to cure his friend (rare: himself) or to fulfill a vow person is ready to sacrifice his small (young) son (children). The son revives or the supernatural powers are satisfied with the very willingness of the person to commit sacrifice
k101Night dances of girlsEvery morning girl' or (rare) boy’s clothes are in disorder, the boy looks very tied. People spy on her (or on him) and discover that she or he spends nights in the non-human world
k101aThe princess in the coffinA man has to send several nights near the girl who died and became a dangerous demonic being. After this the girl is disenchanted
k101bThree nights of sufferingA girl or a youth are disenchanted because the hero bravely spends three nights in a certain place being tortured or terrified by demons. The girl (youth) herself is helpful and not dangerous for the hero
k101b1Black girl becomes whiteThe enchanted person (a palace where he or she is) changes his (her, its) appearance gradually as far as the spells dissolve: becomes more human, turns white from black, beautiful from ugly, etc.
k102Woman associated with the hero conspires in favor of his enemyA woman who initially is friendly to the hero (his mother, sister, more rare his wife, sexual partner) begins to cooperate with his enemy. For this she provokes the hero to do something that is mortally dangerous for him
k102a2Conflict between mother and son Mother tries to kill her son (children) because he interferes with her love affair
k102a3The tooth of deathSomebody (usually his sister or mother) puts a poisonous tooth (bone, nail, etc.) into the bed of the hero. The young man dies but is revived
k103Helpful cowCow (ox, bull) helps an orphan child or a young woman who got into trouble
k103cHelpful bull fights in the forest of copperRiding a bull or an ox, a lad or a lassie run away from the stepmother’s house. On the way the bull fights with the other bull (monsters) and is usually killed by the last of them
k103dTo enter an ear of the horse, to take something from an ear of the cowAn animal (a demonic being) asks the hero or heroine to take objects necessary for him (her) from its ear or to enter its ear to make himself or herself handsome, to sleep. etc.
k107Lost husband foundA woman is abandoned by her magic husband. She finds him and becomes his wife again
k107aIron shoes to be worn outWandering to the purpose of her or his travel person has to worn out her or his iron shoes or staff
k107cKnives on the windowsill (the prince as bird)Magic bridegroom who comes as bird or other guise and then changes into a man meets regularly with a young woman. Her jealous sisters (stepmother, brother, etc.) wound him (usually putting knives of broken glass around the window). He disappears, the girl goes to find him.
k107dThe girl cannot wake her fiancéFailed attempts to wake magic husband
k107d1Magic wife’s failed attempts to wake a youthA youth has a date with a woman who belongs to supernatural world but he falls asleep and she is unable to wake him
k107eThe long pregnancyWoman is pregnant for many years and gives birth not until her enchanted husband who had abandoned her or somebody else let her do it
k108A revived wife betrays her husbandWife dies, husband revives her, she abandons him for another man and is punished
k115Person saved thanks to the spider webA man escapes from his (her, theirs) pursuers and hides in a cave. A spider spins its web over the hiding place. When the pursuers see the spider web they think the cave is unoccupied and do not enter it
k117Woman who never laughs (a bride)A woman should marry a man who would be able to make her laugh; a man promises a reward to the person who would make laugh his daughter, mother or son
k117bStuck togetherUsing a magic object or spell, hero makes people (and animals) attached to the object or to each other
k117cMagic fiddle makes people danceAs soon as a person plays his flute (fiddle, horn, etc.), people and animals become to dance and cannot stop without the person’s permission
k117dTwo bridegrooms in one bed with a princessA princess who lies or stands between two pretenders for her hand must choose one of them without seeing him. The bridegroom of low social position tricks the noble one to be smeared by filth and the princess turns to one who smells aromatically
k118The prohibited roomMaster of the house allows person to feel himself (herself) free bit not to look into particular place. The person breaks prohibition
k119Animal helper marries a poor boy to a princessTo make a poor man rich (usually to marry him to a rich girl or to marry a poor girl to a prince), an animal makes other people believe that the groom is rich already. The man becomes prosperous indeed
k12Woman is lost and returnedBy trick or by force, a rival or adversary kidnaps hero's wife or bride. The man gets her back
k120The averted incest (daughter and father)A man is going to marry his daughter (rare: his stepdaughter; sometimes certain conditions are put on his future marriage and only his daughter complies with them). The girl gets to escape
k120a3Jewelry in a nutPerson gets a nut with valuables inside (precious clothes, jewelry, animal helpers, etc.) or he or she himself or herself puts valuable into a nut to use them later
k120a5Luring a woman to a shipTo trap a desired woman, person lures her to a ship (boat, flying machine, etc.) and carries away
k122Queen of the other world comes to identify the heroA man gets to the powerful woman who lives in the world unreachable without the supernatural helpers, and then returns back. An imposter claims hero's deeds for himself. The powerful woman comes and finds the real hero, punishes (rejects) the imposter
k127Brothers transformed into animalsA girl has many (more than three) brothers, they turn into birds or animals (rare: into plants; killed by magic), ultimately become human again
k128Grazing animals to be preserved by a herdsman A man had to graze animals or birds. If at least one is lost, the master would kill (not reward) him. Cf. K128B (ATU 570)
k128bThe rabbit-herdKing offers his daughter in marriage to whoever can herd (catch, tame, train) a particular number of rabbits (roosters, sheep, goats, geese, partridges) without losing any. A poor boy receives a magic whistle or other device with which he can summon the rabbits. In order to avoid the marriage, members (deputies) of the royal family (in disguise) try to but pne of his rabbits. The young man demands a degrading humiliating act and after the demands are fulfilled, the rabbit comes back to him.
k129The disenchanted beautyBecause of the female antagonist, a girl faints and is taken for dead but her body is not decomposed. A valuable marriage partner breaks the charms, she revives
k130Am I the most beautiful?A woman (rare: a man) asks if she (he) is the most beautiful among female (men) folk and always receives a positive answer. It continues till she or he receives the negative one
k130aGirl in house of several brothersA group of young men live apart. A girl comes to them or is born magically. The men keep her as their sister. After some time she is separated from them and is in danger but ultimately she is rescued
k131Men fight over magic objectsA man on a journey meets tree or two persons who are quarreling over the division of magic objects (a flying carpet, seven mile boots, etc.). The man promises to render a judgment, but he asks first to try our the objects or suggests the owners to run a race and uses opportunity to escape with the objects
k131bMagic objects are exchanged and returnedA man loses a magic object that he got before but gets it back thanks to another object (a cudgel, a box with soldiers, etc.) that is exchanged for the first one or obtained by the man’s brother. The episode can be repeated several times
k132Invincible chickenPerson of a small size (often a chicken) overcomes powerful adversary despite all attempts to destroy him thanks to objects and animals met on the way and preserved in his bag or inside his body
k132aHusband's cock and wife's henHusband (rare: wife) sends his cock to earn money and the cock brings it. Wife (husband) sends her hen (cat, her half of a cock, etc.) and it brings filth. Or the cock brings to the wife not money but something bad or does not bring anything
k135Seven with one strokeA weak and timid man or boy overcomes accidentally powerful enemies and gets high esteem
k14Precious advicesA man gives his last money for simple advices. Each of them saves his life or helps to achieve success or he does not follow the advices and gets into trouble
k145The predestined death because of the wolfA wolf is predicted to become a cause of death of a person or the person must die at his wedding day. The prophesy becomes true. If it is about the marriage, the bride herself turns into a wolf and kills her bridegroom
k145bThe bride devours her bridegroomWhen a girl and a man remain alone (usually during their wedding night), the girl turns into a predator animal or a monster and devours the man
k147Hero's horse brings his remains and he is revivedEnemy cuts hero’s body into pieces and ties them to his horse or the horse itself picks them up and brings to his master’s friends. They revive him.
k14cMan mistakes his son for his wife’s loverComing home after a long absence, a man understands that there is another man in his house but keeps patience and discovers that it is his own son or a close kin of his wife
k14eThe pretended inheritanceSons of a man neglect their father (daughters-in-law neglect their father-in-law). He pretends to be hiding something (counts money conspicuously, etc.). The sons believe that their father has considerable inheritance and become to look after him carefully. When the father finally dies they find nothing valuable in his chest
k150Horse eats coalsMagic horse eats (hot) coals, nails, etc. or they try to feed the horse with such a staff
k151The fisherman and his wifeSupernatural creature fulfills a poor man’s moderate request. After this he or his wife asks for ever bigger gifts till the angry helper punishes them (usually takes all his gifts away)
k152The devil is frightened and runs awayA man saves a devil (snake, dangerous animal) who suffers from proximity of certain object or person. The grateful devil promises to enter a princess and abandon her as soon as the man comes to cure her. The man will get a reward but he should not try such a trick again. The man scares the devil forever telling him that the object or person of which the devil is afraid will be near soon
k152aThe evil woman and the devil in one pitA man throws his evil wife into the pit or well. The devil (snake, predator animal, etc.) who had been there before is grateful when the man pulls him to the surface or jumps our himself: even he is afraid of the shrewish woman
k153Grateful animals, ungrateful manЧеловек оказывает услугу нескольким (потенциально опасным) животным и другому человеку. Благодарные животные помогают ему, а человек предает и вредит
k157Robbers killed one by onePerson tricks his enemies to leave their enclosure one by one and cuts off their head as soon as the next one appears before him. In rare cases the multi-headed enemy thrusts his heads on by one and the hero cuts them off
k161The liberated dragonPerson imprisoned a dragon (demon, Thunder, etc.) and warns the other not to open a certain room (not to give water to the prisoner, etc.). The instruction is broken and the demon liberates himself that has undesirable consequences
k164Wife is not the best friendA man himself or somebody else creates situation that demonstrates that his wife is not his best friend. Often a treacherous wife is contrasted with a true dog
k165The youth who wanted to learn what fear isA youth who does not know what fear is tries various frightful experiences without becoming afraid
k171Weaver creates ever new warriors Somebody from the enemies’ camp is constantly weaving (forging) ever new warriors (rare: weapons)
k176A man in search of the womanA (young) man sets off to find or to return his bride or his wife
k177The travelling heroineA girl or young woman sets off to find or return her fience or her husband or she escapes from a fanger and ultimately marries happily
k178The enchanted husband sings lullabyA young woman follows an enchanted man to his underground place, becomes pregnant but breaks a taboo and is chased away. She finds lodging in a rich house, her husband finds her and is disenchanted
k18dA lazy boy and a fishA lazy (stupid) boy releases a fish (frog, serpent, supernatural being) which gives him a power of making all his wishes come true; he marries a princess
k1eMarooned on an isletPerson is marooned on an islet or on another side of a sea or wide river
k1fConflict because of a womanA man maroons another because of jealousy or because he plans to take hold of his wife
k2The destroyed ladderHero climbs up (e.g. to a tree) or down (e.g. into a deep cave) by ladder, rope, from branch to branch, etc. The rope etc. breaks or is intentionally destroyed and the hero cannot return to the ground. (All cases of motif K2A, besides the Koreans, also contain motif K2)
k24Stolen clothes of supernatural womanWomen (rare: men) who possess supernatural power and usually come from a non-human world (from sky, from under the water, they are winged beings, bird- or animal-persons; rare: a girl of higher social status than the hero) take off their clothes (feather skins and the like) or part of it. Because a person hides the clothes (of one of them), their owner(s) have (has) to marry him or help him (rare: her)
k24bTo dance in her magic clothesMagic wife tricks her naive mother-in-law to give her back her supernatural clothes or other object thanks to which she is able to escape from the human world
k24cAn old man helps to obtain the bird-wifeA youth comes to an old man (rare: old woman) who instructs him how to obtain magic wife hiding her feather-clothing. For the first time, the youth usually gives her her clothes back, the girl disappears and he lives with the old man till the next opportunity
k25Magic wifeA man consciously marries a woman related to the non-human world
k25a4Escape from the mermaidA man (rare: woman) gets into power of a demonic person related to the lower world (usually a siren, fish, sea monster, rarely wizard). The antagonists raises the prisoner above water (or earth) a restricted number of times (usually being provoked or bribed to do so) and thanks to this the prisoner escapes (usually flies away turning into the bird)
k27 (motif is not in the correlation table)Competitions and difficult tasksPerson is suggested to fulfill tasks that are mortally dangerous or cannot be fulfilled without supernatural helpers or capacities. The person fulfills the tasks and remains alive. A contest between persons has form of a competition or game in which the loser is deprived of his status or life
k27eEating or drinking contestPerson or animal must eat (drink) enormous quantity of food (beverage) or eat or drink poisonous beverage or food
k27f1To build a bridgePerson builds a bridge (usually of gold etc.) during a very short time
k27gOrdeal: to bathe in a boiling liquidPerson is ordered to bathe in a (boiling) milk or other hot liquid or to jump into fire. He remains unharmed but his adversary usually dies
k27g1Cleaning of the stablePerson must quickly clean a stable or cattle-shed from dung accumulated there for a long time
k27g4To plow, to sow and to reap in one dayDuring impossibly short time person must to realize all works of agricultural cycle and to present food made of new crops
k27g5The wooden axePerson tries or must try to cut or to dig with the wooden (plumb, felt) tool instead of the iron one
k27hhTo sort grainA task: to sort a large amount or small particles of different kind (usually seeds of different plants) mixed in container or to count such particles or to pick up the spilled grains
k27hhTo sort grainA task: to sort a large amount or small particles of different kind (usually seeds of different plants) mixed in container or to count such particles or to pick up the spilled grains
k27kDiving contestA contest: to dive deep or for a long time
k27nDifficult tasks of the in-lawsA man must fulfill difficult tasks (to win competition) to receive the permission for a marriage
k27n1Task-giver is a king or a chiefPerson who gives difficult tasks to the hero and/or person who demands the fulfillment of certain conditions from those who want to marry his daughter is a prominent figure in social hierarchy. He is a head of the socio-political unit of community or super-community level and is neither a member of the hero’s household nor a mythical being
k27nnEnvious ministerNot the powerful person himself but his official or adviser tries to get rid of the hero and suggests that the person should give the hero difficult tasks
k27p1Antagonistic father-in-law acquires guise of an animalWhen father-in-law (rare: mother-in-law) asks the hero to killl or to tame a dangerous animal or not to kill certain animal during a hunt, he (she) turns into this animal himself or transforms into it his daughter(s) or wife (husband)
k27qMilk of the wild beastHero is sent to bring milk of a wild animal or milk in possession of a dangerous creature or person
k27r2The dancing applesA task: to bring objects (usually fruits) that act like people, i.e. dance, sing and the like
k27sContest: a raceContest: a race
k27ssTo win a race with an (old) womanA strong man has to race with a woman (often with an old woman). He cannot surpass her or does it with much difficulty
k27uHide-and-seekHero and his adversary play hide-and-seek. The hero finds his adversary but the adversary cannot find him
k27wMonster brought by the hero kills the task-giverTask-giver asks to bring him dangerous being or object possessed by a moster or deity. Hero fulfills the task. The beast, monster, deity or the object itself kills the task-giver
k27x5Helpful persons of different ageSetting off for a search of a woman or magic objects, a man comes across several (usually three) supernatural (often demonic) persons who help him. All the persons are similar but usually every next one is older (younger) than another
k27x6The Sun, the Moon and the Wind direct the heroTravelling in search of the marriage partner, the hero (heroine) comes in succession to several supernatural persons related to luminaries and atmospheric phenomena (the Sun, the Moon, Stars, Wind). The last of them gives him or her necessary information
k27x6a
k27x7Master of animals calls them together to question themPerson in search of the remote and inaccessible place comes to the master (mistress) of animals (birds, fish) or demons who summon all of them and asks about the way to this place. Only (the last) one knows the way
k27z2bThe killed dollComplicated relations between a poor girl and a prince lead to his attempt to kill his bride in the nuptial night. The girl puts a doll in her bed, the prince pierces it with a sword and takes the sweet juice (honey, sugar) with which the doll was filled for the blood. He repents his deed but the real girl appears and the couple is happy
k27z3Cat with a lampA man trains a cat (monkey, dog) to hold lighted candle (lamp) on its head or to extinguish the light by a signal. When a mouse (a rat) runs through the room, the cat drops the candle (forgets about the lamp) and chases the mouse
k27z8Insolvable riddlesThe riddle refers to extraordinary or accidental events that happened to the person setting the riddle, and thus is unsolvable to outsiders
k28Father or uncle is rival and enemyMaternal uncle or father (or grandfather if he replaces father who is not mentioned) of the young man is his rival or enemy and tries to kill him
k29aSurviving in a fireHero demonstrates his supernatural abilities remaining alive in a burning hot chamber, stove, bonfire, among burning vegetation
k2aHero marooned in the underworldHero is sent to the lower world though a well, precipice, etc. After he obtains valuables (young women), his envious companions cut the rope to get rid of him but he succeeds in returning back
k2bThe Mountain-man and the Oak-manThe pastimes or only names of the hero’s companions are unusual and different but their specific qualities that they must possess considering their names are irrelevant for the plot. Cf. motif K66, “Extraordinary companions”
k32The false wifeAn ugly, old, lazy, etc. woman or (in Chaco) a male trickster comes to man under disguise of his wife or bride who is driven out, confined to the underworld, killed, etc.
k32aTravelling man leaves his wife or daughter for a short timeA man travels with his wife or daughter. Another woman or a demonic person replaces her when the man goes away for a short time or (rare) falls asleep
k32gPunishment: torn apart by horsesTo punish an antagonist, he or she is tied to a horse (camel, bull) and dragged or he or she is torn apart (usually by horses)
k32h3Punishment: burned aliveTo punish an antagonist, he or she is burned alive. (Episodes in which the burning of the dangerous being is not a punishment but an effective way to get rid of him or her are not considered)
k33Drowned woman remains aliveA young woman is transformed into an animal, pushed into the water, into the underworld or she herself has to plunge into water (acquire animal form). Her connection with the human world is not completely lost, however, and usually she is helped to return to the people
k33aYounger brother transformed into animalSiblings (most often younger brother and elder sister) leave their home. One of them (most often the brother, most rare several brothers) turn into animal (usually an ungulate) or (rare) a bird but (in the most cases) ultimately acquires his or her human form again
k33aYounger brother transformed into animalSiblings (most often younger brother and elder sister) leave their home. One of them (most often the brother, most rare several brothers) turn into animal (usually an ungulate) or (rare) a bird but (in the most cases) ultimately acquires his or her human form again
k33a5The heroine is transformed into duckThe heroine’s rival transforms her into a duck (goose). The duck makes attempts to contact her children or husband
k33cGirl from a fruitYoung man gets a girl who is inside of a fruit or (rare) a flower or an egg
k33c3Girl from the orangeYoung man gets a girl who is inside a fruit the citrus tree, usually an orange
k33c6Only one girl is preservedYoung man obtains several (usually three) fruits (eggs, pieces of reed). When he opens the first one, a girl who comes out from it immediately disappears because something was wrong (usually the drinking water for her is not available). Only the girl who has come out of the last fruit remains with the man. Cf. motif k33c7
k33dPeau d'asneA man discovers that a beautiful girl hides herself under a guise of an ugly and dirty servant, under a skin of an animal or in an object that is brought into his house
k33d1The princess in the chestThe youth does not know that a beautiful girl hides inside an object that is brought to him
k33hThe cat, the dog and the magic objectA man obtains an object that fulfills his wishes. The object is stolen but brought back by the animals (which had been saved by the man before)
k35aHero brands his rivalsIn exchange for temporal advantages, person agrees to be maimed or branded
k35a1Not to pick up a feather of fire-birdOn his way a man picks up a precious feather (often despite the warning of his magic horse). When a powerful person gets to know about the feather he tells the man to fulfill difficult tasks
k36Bewitched into animalPerson is temporary transformed into animal (usually into a dog or coyote or into donkey, ox, etc.). When he acquires his human guise again, the antagonist suffers similar transformation. In some texts only the hero or only the antagonist is transformed
k38Hero helps the nestlingsFor helping its children, their powerful mother or father who is a giant bird or (rare) other flying being helps the hero
k38b3Hero takes care of nestlingsMighty bird or other flying creature helps a man because he took care of its youngs feeding them, warming, decorating, etc.
k38b3bHero warms and covers the nestlingsMighty bird (more rare other creature/mythological person) helps a man (rare: a woman) because he (she) warms/covers from bad weather its/hers nestlings (children)
k38eOf copper, of silver, of goldLoci or objects of three (rare – four) different materials are mentioned in such a way that all of them have positive connotations though unequal value (copper, silver and gold; silver, gold and diamonds, etc.)
k38e1Forest of metal treesPerson travels across a forest with trees of two or more kinds of metal (copper, silver, etc.)
k38e2The packed kingdomComing from the underworld to the earth, princess puts objects that she used (clothes, house, “kingdom”) into a small container (an egg, a ball, etc.) and brings them with her
k38e3The diamond kingdomIn a series of three (rare: four) loci or objects that have high but different value the highest value is related to the precious stone (usually a diamond; crystal, glass)
k38f4Fire-breathing monsterFrom the mouth of a monstrous creature or person who is the enemy of the hero fire is coming out; its breath is fire
k38f7Wild animals are hero’s dogsPerson obtains some wild animals (of two or more different species) who serve him like dogs
k39Man feeds his own flesh to a creature who helps himPerson has to feed powerful creature (usually a giant bird) giving it regularly pieces of meat. When meat supply is exhausted, he cuts off a piece of his own flesh
k48Singing bird of the heroAn antagonist wants that a wonderful bird of the hero sing but it remains mute or cries differently. The bird begins to sing when the hero triumphs over his adversaries
k49Dead mother returns to nurse her babyA woman who is transformed into animal or driven out of the human world returns to her baby to feed and to care for him
k56The kind and the unkind girlsOne of (step)sisters, co-spouses or young female neighbors meets a being that is able to reward and to punish. She behaves herself properly and is rewarded. Another (other) girl comes to the same being but behaves in a wrong way and is punished (not rewarded).
k56aThe unworthy girl fails, the worthy one succeedsTwo or three sisters are sent in succession to powerful person. The first or the first and the second sister behave in a wrong way, perish or do not succeed. The last one behaves correctly, gets a reward
k56a4Dog the messengerWhen the kind girl returns home, a dog barks saying that everything is well with her and when the unkind girl returns (or her dead body is brought home), the dog barks that everything is bad
k56bThe worthy man is rewarded, the unworthy punishedFirst one, then another man meets a powerful person or persons. The first man is worthy and rewarded with treasure, prestige or the like. The second man (or two men) follows him, behaves in a wrong way and is punished
k56b1The old man with the live coalsA poor man looks for a light for his fire. An old man gives him embers. When he takes them home, they turn to gold. An envious wealthy neighbor (brother) purposely extinguishes his fire and asks the old man to give him some coals. His homestead burns to ashes
k56cGolden axeA man loses an axe. A spirit or a powerful official suggests him a golden axe but the man does not accept it. The spirit (official) gives him axes of gold and silver as a reward for his honesty. Usually another man intentionally loses his axe, claims the golden one but receives nothing
k56eTwo humpbacksTwo men have a similar defect (a hump, a lump). One spends a night in a place where spirits free him from his defect. Another comes to the same place but spirits double his defect giving him what they had taken off from the first man
k57CinderellaA girl who conceals her beauty and/or is poor and oppressed by her stepmother puts on a splendid attire and comes incognito to a feast where a man of high status falls in love with her. He marries her after identifying her by an object given to her or lost by her or (rare) seeing how she changes her clothes
k60aHow strong are these bonds?Person lets be firmly tied up when another one say that it's only a joke (e.g. a test to see can the first one break bonds)
k61cTo name a demonA demon agrees to help a person (usually to fulfill some difficult work that a girl must do herself) if a person tells him his name. At the last moment the person gets know the name by chance, the demon disappears and the person is rewarded
k61c1Listen in secret of demonPerson will be ruined if he or she would not find an answer for a riddle of a demon. The answer is found accidentally when the person or somebody else hears how the demon talks by himself or with another demon. See motif C29
k61dHard work made her uglyYoung woman’s bridegroom or husband gets to believe that she is extraordinarily industrious. To conceal the deception, she herself or somebody else makes the man believe that because of hard work women become ugly or change into animals. The man prohibits his wife to work anymore
k62aQuarrel of mouse and birdA mouse (rat, mole, etc.) and a small bird quarrel because they cannot divide supplies for the winter. (Usually this episode initiates the story about the war between animals and birds)
k64Escape from Polyphemos’ cavePerson gets into dwelling of master of animals or monstrous shepherd. The host can kill him. The hero escapes sticking to hair of one of the animals who are going out
k64aBlinded cyclopesPerson blinds sleeping ogre or ogress and escapes from him or her
k64bObject sticks to personHero's adversary provokes him to touch an object that proves to be sticky. The hero sticks to it, sometimes has to cut off his finger
k65eMidwife in the underworldA woman is summoned to help supernatural beings as a midwife (to baptize a baby, to be a babysitter) and returns to the human world after rendering her assistance
k66Extraordinary companionsSeveral companions have extraordinary abilities (one who runs fast, one who eats great quantities, one who produces or can withstand severe frost, etc.); a hero comes across and takes for companions several men, each of them being involved into a special and unusual activity
k67aA drowned wifeA man who has a low social position is a nuisance for persons of high position. He gets to know that they plan to drown him or his preperty (rare: to strangle him) and tricks them to drown instead one of them or their own property
k67bBargain not to become angryPerson of a low social position (a man) makes an agreement with a person of high social position (an ogre) that the master must never become angry with the servant. The servant abuses the master until the latter erupts in anger and has to be severely punished or to pay a great fee
k67cSkin ribbon ripped off from the backPerson agrees that under certain conditions another may rip off some skin from his back or cut off his ears, nose, etc.
k67dFlight of the master with his goods in the bagA master (ogre, devil, wife) tries to get away from his farmhand (her husband). The farmhand hides in the master’s bag (chest) so that the master unwittingly takes him along
k67eThe woman as cuckoo in the treeThe bargain between two persons is to end when a bird whose call is related to particular time of a temporal cycle will be heard. In order to hasten the contract’s end, another person imitates the bird. The first one recognizes the trick
k67hThe bear in the cattle-shedWhen the farmhand is sent to the place where he is expected to be killed by wild beasts, he subdues them, brings home and lets into the cattle-shed (stable), and the beasts destroy the master’s cattle (pigs, horse)
k72Three maidensPowerful person listens in conversation of three (rare: two or four) women. Each of them tells what she would do if the person marries her. One promises to bear his son (children) who would have wonderful qualities, two others promise to practice some kind of work or (more rare) marry people of lower status
k73Children of the youngest wifeA young woman promises to bear a wonderful children (wonderful son). In her husband's absence other people (co-wives, mother-in-law, etc.) try to kill the mother and/or the child, usually slandering the young woman
k73aBaby child substituted with object or animalHostile women substitute baby of the newly made mother with an animal or an object (inform the baby’s father that his wife has given birth to an animal or an object)
k73a4Baby child substituted with a pupHostile women substitute baby of the newly made mother with a pup (inform the baby’s father that his wife has given birth to a pup)
k73a6Children turn into treesEnemies of the woman kill (throw away) her wonderful children. Trees (flowers) grow from their remains. Eventually the children acquire their human form again.
k73a8The wonderful children: brother and sisterWoman gives birth to wonderful boy and girl. Being substituted with animals or objects and thrown away, they survive and triumph over their enemies
k73a9The speaking bedLying on the nuptial bed, the false wife who took place of the real one hears the voice of the latter or her children and in the morning orders to destroy the bed
k73bInnocent woman punishedA woman who was falsely accused of killing her new-born child or giving birth to pups and the like is punished in such a way that she must suffer from filth and be taunted by passers by
k73b1Mother and child in a barrelA woman with her new-born child (or a woman pregnant with a boy) or a young girl and a young boy is put into a barrel (box, skin bag, boat) and thrown into the sea (river)
k73b4To fill a bag with truthPerson must fill a bag (bowl) with truth (falsehood, tales). He fulfills the demand telling a denunciating story
k74Hero, his companions and a dwarfThe hero and his companion or companions live together. Every morning one stays at home while another or others go to hunt, etc. A demonic person comes, eats up all the food and beats the cook. Or the man who remained at home comes to the demon himself in search of fire and is maltreated by him. The hero kills or neutralizes the demon
k74aOnly the hero gets to overcome the demon whose track he then follows Every time a demon commits an outrage upon one of the men who remains at home. When it is the hero’s turn, he overcomes the demon and follows his track to his world
k75The youngest daughter is willing (The loathsome bridegroom)A girl (usually the youngest of several sisters) does not reject but marries a poor, sick, dirty, old, too young, non-human, etc. man who later demonstrates his supernatural qualities
k75The youngest daughter is willing (The loathsome bridegroom)A girl (usually the youngest of several sisters) does not reject but marries a poor, sick, dirty, old, too young, non-human, etc. man who later demonstrates his supernatural qualities
k75aThrown apple hits the chosen oneBoy or girl selects one person among many throwing an object (usually an apple) into him or her. This way a girl makes a choice of a husband, a young man of a bride, a boy identifies his father
k75a1The youngest son-in-law should live in the stableThe sovereign orders his youngest daughter (together with a man chosen by her) to live in conditions that do not correspond to her high status. Her father does not know that her chosen one is not a poor wretch as he seems to be but a prince
k75a2The gardenerThe unrecognized hero works as a gardener at the powerful person
k75cSeven years without washingDevil is ready to make a man rich if he would not wash (and comb) himself for a long time. The man is willing, both fulfill their promise
k76A strange sonA boy born into a family or found by his adoptive parents has a strange guise (ball of meat, nut, bag, half of a man, an animal). He possesses magic power, becomes a handsome man and usually marries a girl of high social status. The magic spouse of a princess originally has a non-human or monstrous appearance
k76aFrog as a marriage partnerFrog or toad marries a girl or a handsome youth marries a frog or road
k76bSnake son and snake husband An (adoptive) son is a snake who turns into handsome man. The snake is the magic spouse of princess, lost and returned
k76dSon the hedgehogAn (adoptive) son is a hedgehog. He marries a princess, turns into handsome man.
k76eSon (daughter) the pigAn (adoptive) son or daughter is a pig. He marries a princess, turns into handsome man (she marries a handsome man)
k77bThe animals in night quarters (Bremen town musicians)Domestic animals abandon their masters. They find an empty house or build a house. Robbers or the predator animals come there. The domestic animals attack (or just frighten) them. The robbers (predators) do not understand who are their enemies, are scared and run away
k77b2The goat's weaponsA predator animal asks a goat (a ram, etc.) about a purpose of certain parts of his body. The goat describes every part as a weapon able to injure his opponent or the goat really possesses weapons
k77cOnes who hide in a house frighten dangerous enemyObjects and/or domestic animals live in a house. When dangerous enemy comes, they attack him, he dies or escapes (all texts with K77A and K77B included)
k79Snake serves an example of resuscitation Person in a desperate situation gets to see how a snake or other small animal uses remedy to revive or to cure itself or other animals. The person uses the remedy, succeeds
k80Repetitive reincarnationPerson (usually a young woman) turns into different objects or creatures which another person destroys one by one. However, the person is reincarnated again and again and ultimately acquires her or his original form
k80aA bird or an object tell about a murderAn object or a creature that emerged from remains, decorations, etc. of a killed person tells about his or her fate. Usually a reed grows from the person's grave and a pipe made from the reed tells the story
k80a1Bird tells about a murderA bird (that usually emerges from the remains of a murdered person or being incarnation of his or her soul) punishes the murderer or tells people about the crime
k80bMy mother slew me, my father ate meThe (step)mother kills or orders to kill her small (step)son, eats him or feeds his flesh to her husband. The son revives, usually in the form of a bird who tells about the crime.
k80cThe cranes of IbycusPerson becomes a victim of a murder. Just before dying he or she calls on some birds (celestial bodies, animals, plants, etc.) to bear witness for the crime. Getting to see these birds (this plant, the Sun, the Moon, etc.) the murderer reveals himself without thinking. Or the birds, being the only witnesses, bring the investigators to the murderers.
k80c1The tell-tale calf’s headA person brings to a king or has at his home something edible. At the decisive moment fruits or meat turn into human remains. The person imprisoned (and executed)
k80c4Mute witnesses of the crimeIn a deserted place, a man kills another. After some time he is exposed thanks to circumstances and facts that do not seem important and do not report on the crime directly (the victim’s last words; objects or live beings that were or appeared on the place of the murder). (All texts that contain motifs K80c, K80c1, K80c3, K80c4, also contain a more general motif K80c4)
k80dThe stuck in pinPerson is bewitched (transformed into a bird, faints) when a pin or other sharp object is stuck into her (rare his) body
k81The handless girlFor minor offence or because of false accusation a young girl or woman is maimed and expelled from home (rare: killed or she kills herself). The maimed person magically obtains her body integrity (the dead revives)
k81aThe handless girl in the prince’ gardenA girl with the cut off hands comes to the fruit tree (into the vegetable garden) to find food. A princes gets to see her there and marries her
k83The sons on a quest for a wonderful remedy for their fatherTo cure a sick person or to make him (rare: her) young again it is necessary to bring a remedy from a distant country. The medicine is brought and the sick person is cured (becomes young)
k84Sisters married to animalsYoung man gives his sisters to the first bridegrooms who claim them. These are demons or animals who usually later help him
k85Horses-brothersAn antagonist possesses a horse which can overtake any other. Hero obtains the brother (sister) of this horse who is the only one to win the race with the antagonist's horse
k88The two travellers (Truth and Falsehood)Two men travel or argue about whether truth or falsehood (justice or injustice, etc.) is more powerful. The evil one abandons the good one robbing or blinding (maiming) him but the good one gets back his sight and becomes rich. The evil one usually perishes
k88aThe blinded brideWicked stepmother (aunt, a rival) blinds a young woman. The heroine returns her eyes (often gets them back in exchange for some values)
k88bFood exchanged for eyesA companion promises to share water or food with a thirsty or hungry person on condition that he or she allows to blind him or her
k93Twin brothers and a womanAfter a series of adventures and victories, the hero gets into trouble. His twin brother or the best friend follows his traces, gets across the same persons but overcomes the last enemy and revives (liberates) the hero
k93aSword of chastitySleeping in one bed with a woman, man puts a sharp or thorny object between them as a sign of chastity (sometimes the woman herself puts the sword)
k93b5A stratagem: hero turns into pup or kittenPerson gets into the place of his antagonists acquiring guise of a pup or a kitten. Usually one of his adversaries suspects the deception but other think that the animal is nice and harmless
k94Bird of luck (eaten up head)Person eats magic bird, fish, small animal, or fruit and becomes prosperous and powerful
k95The twining branches (united in death)Two persons who loved each other (usually a man and a girl) are buried in one grave or not far from each other. After the burial something related to this event takes place (two plants grow up and stretch their branches to each other, smoke of two funeral pyres is merged, two birds flu out from the grave, two stars appear on the sky, etc.)
k96Fifty sonsMany brothers marry or have to marry in such a way that all their wives are (were) sisters
k99Prophecy of future sovereiniyA young man or (rare) a girl has a (day-)dream that predicts his or her future triumph. The dreamer either conceals or reports its contest to his family and in both cases is punished for too high opinion of himself. In the beginning the dreamer sometimes sells his dream to another young man, who becomes the protagonist of the tale. Adventures that follow explain the contest of the dream. The youth becomes rich and happy (e.g. marries heiresses of two kingdoms, that in the dream were symbolized by two suns or a sun and a moon), the girl marries king's son
k99aThe father will humble himself before the sonA lad or a girl (often after having a prophetic dream) claims that he (she) will achieve extraordinary social position (usually that his or her parents, brothers, sisters will demonstrate signs of high respect to him or her). The lad (girl) is expelled out of the family but the prophecy is fulfilled
k99a1Smart man is rescued from prisonAn imprisoned man is rescued and exalted because only he gets to resolve problems that trouble the king or to save the princess (prince, the king himself)
l100Transformation flightA youth and a girl who run away from pursuer transform themselves into a pair of persons, creatures or objects (pond and duck, church and priest, etc.) in order to escape detection by the pursuer
l100bForgotten fiancéeThe hero and his bride get to escape from the pursuer. The youth goes to visit his home, leaving his bride behind for a time and forgets her. When the youth is going to marry another girl, the forgotten fiancée reawakens his memory by performing magic actions. Or the girl herself forgets her magic husband as soon as she gets to her parents’ home
l100cDuped visitors of a chaste womanWhen a man comes to a beautiful woman she tricks him by asking to finish some trivial task, keeping him by her magic in an awkward or ridiculous position until daylight. Episode is repeated next nights with other or (rare) the same suitor. Usually the first suitor being ashamed tells the other that everything was nice, so all of them are humiliated the same way
l100fGuest runs away from the hostIn the absence of the host, the guest is told that the host is going to kill or to maim him. The guest runs away, the host runs after him with good intentions but the guest believes that the received warning had a reason
l100f1Lover runs away from the husbandA farmhand (a young son of the peasant) arranges a situation a series of tricks to the love affair between the wife of his master and another man. The wife is going to bring food outdoor to her lover but gets to her husband. Seeing the master coming with an axe (stones, etc.), the lover believes, that he is going to attack him and runs away
l100gThe goose with one legThe servant is asked to prepare a goose (chicken, etc.), eats one leg and maintains that the goose had only one leg enforcing his point by showing geese who stand on one leg. The master shoots away the geese so that they use both legs. Usually the servant replies that if he had frightened the roasted goose, it would have showed its second leg as well
l104Fugitive and pursuer change guisesA fugitive turns in succession into different animals or objects. A pursuer does the same, every time becoming an animal or a person who is dangerous for the fugitive in his given guise
l108The wolf and the kidsAn (animal) person gives a signal (special song, etc.) to his relative or friend who lets him or her in. Antagonist imitates the person's voice or guise and the relative lets him in
l108aGoat kills the antagonistA predator animal (ogre, ogress) swallows people or animals. The goat (rare: the sheep) punishes him or her and usually saves the victims (most often opens the ogre’s belly open and the swallowed ones come out alive)
l108dStones sewed up in the bellyPerson who swallowed his prey alive falls asleep and does not feel anything when his belly is cut and the prey is replaced with stones
l108eChildren of the mother-foxThe fox has a child or children (usually she adopts a lamb, foal, etc.), cares for it. The wolf finds and eats it, the fox revenges on him
l110The devourerA demonic being swallows a multitude of people and animals. When it is killed and cut open, the swallowed ones come out alive or are revived
l114bTo bring ogre's propertyGetting a task or by his own initiative, a trickster several times comes to a person (usually an ogre) and steals in succession objects in his possession or members of his family
l114cTo exchange clothes with ogre's daughtersChildren or youths (usually a group of brothers) exchange clothes (headgears, ornaments, blankets, sleeping places) with their enemy’s children. The enemy kills his or her own children by mistake. Usually brothers get to the ogre or ogress and the youngest advices to exchange places (clothes, etc.) with ogre’s daughters). Outside of Europe the actors can be animals
l118Caught in a split log(Animal) person provokes another to put a part of his body into a split log (between two planks, etc.) and removes the wedge
l120Snake-women turn into apple-treesHero listens in conversation of demonic beings who plan to turn into something edible, attractive, etc. and to destroy those who touch them. The hero neutralize the demons beforehand
l120aTongue of dragoness and the smith’s pincersHero hides in a smithy from a dragoness who pursues him. She destroys the door or wall (with her tongue) but the hero (smith) burns her (usually grips tight her tongue with his hot pincers or throws hot iron club in her mouth)
l122Riding a cockA (demonic) person is riding a cock
l125bSpouse who eats the deadSpying on his wife (her husband), the man (woman) gets to see that she (he) goes to eat the dead bodies
l15dThe external soulLife of a person or creature is preserved outside of his (her, its) body. Person or creature dies after the corresponding object is destroyed
l15hThe external soul: three or more objects one inside the otherAn object that contains the life (soul) of a person is inside two or more creatures or other objects (like an egg in a duck, a duck in a hare, etc.) or the zoomorphic soul container tries to escape and turns in succession to other animals (three or more transformations)
l15h3Person’s soul is in an insect (worm)An object that contains certain person’s soul / death is inside other object, the latter is in the third one (etc.). The last receptacle of the life is an insect or a worm
l17a1One-Eye, Two-Eyes, Three-EyesPersons or creatures with ever bigger number of eyes guard a man or a woman. The latter makes eyes asleep one by one but forgets about the last one
l19bBeings with odd number of headsBeing (any besides birds) with more than ten heads or with odd (but more than one) number of heads are described in tales or represented in art. If beings with ever more number of heads are named, the row ends with a being that has odd (or more than ten) number of heads
l19b2The nine-headed monsterA monster with nine heads is mentioned either alone or at the end of the row of creatures with ever bigger number of heads
l19b3The twelve-headed monsterA monster with twelve heads is mentioned either alone or at the end of the row of creatures with ever bigger number of heads
l37aTo get know causes of problems
l37c1Luck (good or bad) as a personGood or bad luck of a man are particular persons with whom the man meets
l40Reflection and shadowPerson discovers (rare:still fails to discover) another getting to see his or her shadow or reflection in water
l41Hero escapes on the wayAn ogre or ogress catches a person and carries his or her prey home but the person escapes on the way or immediately after reaching the ogre's house
l41aStone in basketHero escapes from the demon's basket or bag letting stone (a piece of wood, some sand) instead of him
l42Hero carried to ogre’s homeAn ogre or ogress catches a person and brings him to his or her home where he or she plans to cook and eat him. The hero escapes
l42bCredulous children of the ogreAn ogre's child or (rare) wife believes in what hero tells him (or her) and releases him. Usually the hero kills the child and puts its meat to cook in the very pot where the ogre planned to cook the hero
l42eCaught againAn ogre catches a person and carries his or her prey home but the person escapes on the way. The ogre comes back, this time carries the person to his home. Or the ogre catches a group of children, most of them escape on the way, one is brought to the ogre's place
l42gHansel and GretelStep mother or more often father (persuaded by his wife) abandons children in a desolate place. Getting to the ogre or ogress, children (or at least one of them) survive and ultimately achieve success
l42g2Birds destroy the traceWalking person creates a trace behind him or her throwing seeds, stones, etc. or the trace is produced because blood drops behind the person. The traces is destroyed unintentionally by birds, animals, wind etc.
l55Monster killed with hot liquidTo kill a dangerous animal or monster, acrid or hot liquid (boiling water, resin, soup, etc.) is poured into one of his body orifices
l57aHero's body part is returned by his companionThe antagonists acquire person’s organ or body part (his remains) . Another person gets back what has been stolen and the first one revives (becomes strong again)
l72The obstacle flightRunning away from a dangerous being, person throws small objects behind him or her which turn into mighty obstacles on the way of the pursuer
l72aComb becomes a thicketRunning away from a dangerous being, person throws a comb (a brush) that turns into mighty obstacle (usually a thicket) on the way of the pursuer. (In South America the motif is probably of European origin)
l73aDarkness behind, light aheadFugitives create darkness behind them to trouble the pursuer (and light in front of them)
l73cA towel opens or blocks the passWaving a piece of cloth (throwing it on the ground, putting on water, etc.) person creates obstacles (on the way of the pursuer) or a means to overcome them (bridge, dry path between waters, etc.)
l81Demon’s firePerson sets off in search of fire and finds it in the house of a demon. The demon makes harm to the person
l90Mouth from the earth to the skyMonster's upper lip (fang, horn, etc.) touches the sky, lower touches the ground
l90aHouse on a bird's legA house that stands on one or several legs of a bird or small animal and/or is turning (capable to turn) is described
l90eHeads on stakesStakes with human head on them stand near the house of a dangerous person but one stake is empty. It is supposed that this one is prepared for the head of the hero
l93aHelpful foxCunning fox, jackal or coyote saves particular person or many people, helps them
l94Child promised to demonA demon helps a man or a woman or lets him or her free. As a reward, the person is forced to promise to give the demon his child
l94aCaught by his beardA man, stooping down to water, is caught and held by his beard, and has to give the promise in order to be relieved
l94bGive me what you do not know at home!Person promises to give (sacrifice) to a supernatural the being that will be the first to come to him when he will return home (or something that he has never seen in his house, or an object that he will first see behind the door; etc.). The person thinks that it will be something insignificant but it is his own child
l94b1Demon puts the spilled treasure back into bagA man receives a box or bag as a gift and is told that he should open it not before he comes to his place. The curious man opens it before time and everything that must make him rich (cattle, houses, etc.) falls out. A demon puts everything back but under certain condition. Usually the man does not understand that he promised to the demon his child
l9eCopper noseThe nose of anthropomorphic being is like a beak of copper or iron
m101aAnimals learn to fear menA big predator (bear, lion, tiger) boasts about being stronger than a man. Being told that it’s not so, he finds a man and suggests to struggle but is killed or badly injured as a result. Cf. motif M101
m101bThree men: the former, the future, the present oneA big predator is eager to see a man. He comes across a boy but gets to know that he will be a man later, then an old person who is not a man anymore. The encounter with the real man (hunter, soldier) has for the animal the unpleasant consequences
m106Meaningful namePerson lies that his name is so and so. Others understand it not as a name but as a common word and behave accordingly
m106fA guest from the paradiseA stranger tells a woman that he comes from the other world and had seen there her dead relative. The woman gives him money and goods for the latter. Usually when her husband goes after the trickster to retrieve the money, the trickster steals his horse
m106gThe cow is taken to the roof to grazeA cow (donkey, ox, etc.) is taken to the roof to graze grass that was grown there. Or the wife is raised with a rope on her neck
m109The tail-fisherAnimal person puts his tail (penis) down and waits in hope to get something edible. The tail (penis) is torn or cut off, the person escapes or dies
m109a1Sham brainsAnimal person covers his head with a milky substance or dough and convinces another that he has been so badly injured that his brains are coming out
m109bSick animal carries the healthy oneA healthy animal tricks an injured one (a wolf, a bear) into carrying him on his back by pretending to be injured himself
m110The forgotten liverAn animal is tricked to be carried across the water by those who are going to eat or to use as a medicine a part of its body. The animal tells that forgot to take just that part which is needed, is carried back to take it, escapes
m112Animals dig a wellAn animal person refuses to dig or clean a source of drinking water together with other animals or birds but takes advantage of the results of the work
m113For certain bird water is tabooDuring the hottest month of the summer or permanently birds of certain species are prohibited to drink from the water bodies. Usually they can quench their thirst only from rain drops and dew on leaves and cry calling for rain
m114Rope of sandPerson is suggested to twist (or he really twists) a rope or make other object of sand, ash, smoke, etc.
m114aClothes of stonePerson is suggested to make clothes of stone or iron or to skin a stone
m114bNot clothed and not nakedWhen a person is suggested to make something and simultaneously not to make it or to make it differently than it could be made at all (to come clothed and naked, with and without a gift, etc.), he or she finds the solution
m114b1What is the fattest, sweetest, swiftest?Answering to a question what is the fatties, sweetest, swiftest, etc., the clever person names abstract notions and non-material values (and a fool names particular objects or creatures)
m114b3Cloth from a handful of yarn and loom from three sticksWhen a girl is asked to prepare cloth from a handful of yarn, she asks to prepare for her weaving tools from a straw (chip, small stick, etc.)
m114dThe boiled eggs: eaten last yearPerson eats a meal of eggs and leaves without paying. Some years later when he returns to pay his debt, the innkeeper claims the value of all chickens that would have hatched from the eggs in the meantime. On the day of the trial another person pretends to have cooked seeds for planting and the judge agrees that chicken could not be hatched from the boiled eggs
m114iAsked about their relatives, girl or boy answers with witWhen a girl or a boy is asked where are her or his father, mother, brother or other relations or what they are doing she or he answers in such a way that only a smart person is able to understand what it is about (father went to make an enemy from a friend, mother went to make one out of two, etc.); or the girl explains corresponding answers of other person
m116aUngrateful son reproved by naive actions of own sonWhen an aged father is banned from the table and served his meals in a wooden cup by his son and his daughter-in-law, the little grandson starts to build a similar cup for his parents to use when they grow old. Thereupon the couple starts to reflect on their undignified behavior. Thinking of their own old age, they bring the old father back to the family table (previously type 980B). A son gives his father half a blanket (carpet, cape, cloth) to keep warm. Thereupon the little grandson keeps the other half of the blanket and explains that he will save it for his parents for when they are old (previously type 980A.). An aged father is abandoned by his son in the wilderness (abyss) in a cart (sledge, basket). The grandson keeps it in order to use it in the same way for his parents when they have grown old. They reflect on their behavior. (previously type 980C). The ungrateful son drags his old father out of the house. At the threshold the father says, "Do not drag me further; I dragged my own father only this far!". The son reflects on his bad behavior
m118Source of values is destroyed imprudentlyPerson or animal gets access to values that are inside an animal, a tree, a rock or other enclosure. Later he himself or more often somebody else tries to do the same but destroys source of values, blocks access to it or makes it too dangerous
m118aForty thieves and jars with oilChief of thieves (demonic person) brings his men (other demons) into some people’s yard hiding them in empty jars, casks, etc. The plan to kill members of the household at night. A girl (a young woman; rare: somebody else from the family) gets to know about the danger and kills the thieves one by one (usually pouring boiling water into the jars)
m127Lost tail of the foxAfter losing his tail (ear) an (animal) person tries to trick other animals of his species or other people of his group to lose their tails (ears) too
m127aThe quail makes the fox laughTrickster animal asks a bird to make him laugh. The bird sits on the head of a woman (child, cow, etc.), other person tries to kill the bird, hits the wife (breaks cow's horn, etc.). Or the bird distracts person attention to let the trickster steal the person’s food
m128Speckled animalsHero comes to an agreement with antagonist that he can take animals of particular appearance or with particular behavior and takes all or most of them
m13The short-sighted wish is grantedSome person makes a wish not taking in mind that his words can have other meaning or accidentally replacing one word with another. As a result, something quite undesirable takes place
m130cThe mouse and the lion (the help of the weak)When a lion (tiger, bear, elephant, man) gets into a trap, a mouse (rat) makes him free (usually bites through the ropes)
m131Biting tree-rootA stronger (animal)-person gets to seize a leg or tail of a weaker one. To get free the weaker one pretends that his pursuer got hold of a tree root, and the pursuer lets his enemy free
m134A tower of wolvesAnimals, demons or people stand one on another making a tower. The lowest one jumps off (bends, jerks), all the rest fall to the ground
m134aThree pigletsPredator animal/ogre (blows and) destroys a fragile house but cannot destroy a strong one. Usually two or three weak personages build three houses only one of which is strong enough.
m134cThe wolf overeats in the cellar The wolf or other wild animal gets into the cellar (storehouse, vineyard, etc.) and eats so much that cannot leave
m135Wolf and two ramsTwo ungulate animals (rams, bull, etc.) run from the opposite directions and butt the wolf killing or injuring him
m136Sickle as an unknown beastGrain is harvested with inappropriate tools. Seeing sickle for the first time, people take it for a dangerous animal
m136aSunlight carried in a bagFools carry sunlight (darkness, smoke) in bags, sieves, etc. and carry it into the room or out of it
m136cThe man takes seriously the prediction of deathConsidering indirect signs or somebody’s word, a numskull thinks that he is dead and lies motionless
m136dThe air castlesA person plans to turn his (future) possessions into a great wealth (milk, eggs, small money, animal to be killed, etc.) but imagining this wealth, he destroys what he already has (eggs are broken, the animal runs away, etc.). Or two persons are involved into quarrel about possessions that they do not yet have
m136eIt is good that pumpkins do not grow on a big tree (St. Peter and the nuts)A man complains that large trees have small fruits. When an acorn (nut, pear) falls on his head, he understands the order of the natural phenomena
m138Human and animal life spans are readjustedGod originally gives 20 or 30 years to everybody. Some animals refuse some of their years because of their sufferings. Man wants to have more years and takes them from the animals
m140The theft of fishTrickster pretends to be dead, sick or weak and is picked up by those who carry something edible in a cart (sledge, boat, bag, etc.). The trickster secretly eats the food, often after throwing it out of the cart (sledge, etc.)
m141Animals in a pitSeveral different animals get into a pit (well) and cannot climb out from it, They eat each other up until only one (usually the fox) is left and escapes from the pit
m141aAnd the Mouse? For us he is nobodyIn an assembly of different animals one of them names the weakest one as having no relation to others (having an ugly name) and the latter is eaten up. The episode repeats with ever bigger animals being killed
m141bThe animals flee in fear of the end of the worldA small bird or animal (chicken, cat, mouse, etc.) takes a trivial event (a leaf or an acorn falls, etc.) for a catastrophe (a war, the end of the world, the fall of the sky, etc.) and flees. Other animals share its fear and go along with it.
m143Fox in a wellGetting into a well or pit and being unable to climb out animal person tricks another to descend and thanks to this gets out while the second person remains below
m147bThe fox rids himself of fleasWhen foxes (wolves) meet and dogs begin to chase them, one of the foxes says that their next meeting will be at the bazaar where pelts are sold
m149Tell them that I am a stumpStrong antagonist is going to kill the hero (a person or a weak animal). Another person or animal pretends not to know about the situation and tells that the antagonist is in search to be killed. The hero is saved. Usually the latter asks the man not to give him out and answer that it is a stump, a log and the like near him. This opens possibility to treat the antagonist as a corresponding object (to cut it with an axe, to tie up, etc.)
m150The deceitful herdsman`An animal person becomes a herdsman but eats the entrusted animals up
m152aAnimal tied to another for safetyA stronger and a weaker predator animals (ogre and an animal) tie together for safety. When the stronger one runs away, he drags the weaker one along with him
m152bBrave donkey and cowardly lionGetting to see a donkey (horse, deer) for the first time, a strong predator thinks that this animal is dangerous. His further interpretation of the herbivorous’ behavior supports this impression
m154The animal language and the stubborn wifeA man obtains knowledge of animal languages but if he reveals the secret, he must die. Once he hears animals talking and laughs. His wife thinks that he laughs at her or at her mother. The man is ready to open his secret and either does it and dies or hears how animals (usually a cock) blame him for being so foolish. So he keeps his secret.
m154aA donkey induces overworked ox to feign sicknessOne of domestic animals (usually the donkey) induces another who is overworked to feign sickness. When the next day he must do the work of the “sick” one, he tells that the master has decided to slaughter the one who is unable to work and persuades him to stop being ill
m154bThe man who does his wife's workHusband remains home instead of his wife (rare: son instead of his mother) but does everything wrong so as he suffers a series of accidents
m156The ungrateful one returned to captivityAn (animal) person saves a dangerous animal from a snare or the like. The saved one is going to kill his savior but the third person saves the second (usually tricks the first one to captivity again)
m157The impossible giving birthPerson claims that a man or a male animal had given birth (or is menstruating) or that a female gave birth to a young of another species or that a woman gave birth to an animal
m157a2Bull or cart gives birthPerson claims that a calf (colt, kid, etc.) was born (brought to the place) not by the cow (mare, etc.) of another person but by his own male animal (bull, stallion, etc.), his own animal of another species or by inanimate object (usually a cart)
m157a4To fish on a hillPerson demonstrates the absurdity of the claims of another person saying that he (or somebody else) was fishing on a hill, putting out a fire spilling straw, looking how the fish fly etc. or he is imitating such an activity. Either the place chosen for the activity or the means are irrational
m157a5The golden mortarA man finds a mortar (rare a bell, etc.) of gold (rare: of marble, etc.) and brings it to a powerful person. The latter is not thankful at all but orders the man to bring a pestle too (the bell’s clapper, etc.)
m157bTo take the one thing she holds dearestHusband casts his wife out but allows her to take the one thing she holds dearest. She takes her sleeping or drunk husband with her and thus moves him to forgive her
m157bTo take the one thing she holds dearestHusband casts his wife out but allows her to take the one thing she holds dearest. She takes her sleeping or drunk husband with her and thus moves him to forgive her
m157dPulling up a turnipAnimals (mostly domestic) and/or people attempt to do a job (usually to pull up a root crop). The first one cannot do it and ever more participants join him. The aim is achieved when the last one (who is usually the weakest) comes to help
m159The lion’s shareThe strongest predator (usually a lion) suggests one of his companions to shares the booty. He is not satisfied by results and beats the companion. When another companion becomes to divide, he gives everything to the strongest one and explains that the injured one taught him the right way of sharing
m162Eating his own innardsPerson pretends to eat his own innards or flesh and persuades the other to do the same. Other believes and kills themselves
m163The precious catPerson gets to a country where rats or mice are a plague and receives a fortune selling a cat
m164All tracks going into the den and none coming outAnimal person refuses to enter the den of a strong predator seeing that all tracks go into it but none come out
m164aStinking mouth of the lionThe lion asks animals does his mouth stink (or his den dirty) and kills both those who answer, Yes, and flatterers who answer, No. The smart one tells that he has the sniffles and is unable to answer
m165Fur coat for the wolf One animal person promises to sew a fur coat (or boots) for another and asks to bring him ever more sheep. He eats the meat and sews nothing
m166Piece among animalsTo lure his potential victim down from a tree, a predator pretends not to be dangerous (usually announces that it has been decreed that all animals are united in piece). The victim is dubious and usually asks the predator to announce the same news to the dogs. The predator runs away
m168More cowardly than the hareThe hare is in despair because he is afraid of all creatures but is delighted when he sees other animals (sheep, frogs, dusks) being afraid of him
m168aThe master taken seriouslyAn animal or a bird who makes use of a peasant’s property (lives in his field) does it till the very moment when the danger becomes critical. Usually a mother fox or bird does not command her children to leave a field (vineyard) until the master himself (and not his sons, farmhands, etc.) comes to cut the vines or to harvest the field
m169Medicine for the sick lionIn the presence of powerful person one of his subjects is plotting against the other. The other answers that the problem can be resolved if the first one would be maimed (usually a part of his body used as a medicine). The schemer is killed or injured
m171The profitable exchange: from a pea to a horsePerson or animal stays for a night and the next morning declares that his possessions (which value is none or negligible) are lost. Or other persons whom the trickster meets really use or spoil objects that the trickster gives them. Every time he receives in compensation objects or animals with ever bigger value, the last acquisition usually being a costly animal or a girl. (All texts with motifs M171A and M171C contain also the motif M171)
m171aThe profitable exchange: getting a girlPerson or animal gets to exchange less valuable goods for ever more valuable. The last or the next to last one is a girl
m173aThe thief drops matched objectsThe thief drops first one, then the other, of a pair of matched objects (shoes, boots, sword and sheath, knife and folk) in the road. A person passes by the first object but, when he sees the second, he goes back for the first, leaving the animal (or other possessions) behind. The thief takes the animal
m178The lying goatA man sends others one after the other to pasture the goat. Back home, the goat always complains it did not get anything to eat. The man angrily sends away or kills his shepherds (who usually are his family members). When he himself pastures the goat he realizes that it lies. He is going to kill the goat, usually skins it, but it escapes
m179A house of bark and a house of iceTwo animal persons live nearby, the house of one of them is destroyed, he asks another to let him in and usually drives the host out of his house. Strong animals are afraid of the intruder but a weak or small one succeeds to return the house to its original owner
m180Fox and crane invite each otherAn animal person invites another and serves his food in such a way that he is unable to taste it. Then the other invites the first animal and puts him in similar situation
m183A race: one against manyMany animals of one species that all look identical together fulfill the task that would be impossible for any of them if he were alone; the competitors believe that the task was fulfilled by only one animal. Usually a slow and a fast animals agree to race. The slow one puts other animals of his species at the finish or along the distance, each one answering the fast one that he is ahead of him. The fast one accepts his loss
m185aOn the tail of the winner (all versions)Birds, animals or fish compete as about who is the fastest or can fly higher than others. A weak one imperceptible sticks to the body of the fastest or strongest and wins
m191Cat and wild animalsThe fox (dog, squirrel) lives with the cat and poses him as a strong and dangerous animal. The wild predator animals are scared and bring him meat
m191aBelling the catThe mice decide to tie a bell on the cat, so they can hear when the cat comes. Usually they cannot find anyone to tie it on her
m191bIngratitude and injury are hard to forgetA man feeds a snake (rare: a fish; does not do it any harm) and the snake makes him rich (is friendly). His son (rare: someone else or the man himself) injures the snake (kills its young) and dies (if son; because of the bite). The snake refuses to keep former friendship with the man: both of them remember the inflicted pain
m193aThe fleeing pancakeКолобок
m195Two horses: which is older?Person must guess which of two horses or cows is older. He does it considering peculiarities of the habits of these animals
m195aWhich end of a stick is a butt?Person sends a long object that looks identical from each end or is inside a box. Another person is smart enough to give a correct answer
m195cSmart or lucky one solves problemsPersons of high status cannot reveal the hidden difference between two or more objects or creatures (or two sides of an objects of creature) which look similar. A smart or lucky person of lower status does it
m196The silence wagerA man and his wife make a wager: Whoever speaks first must do certain trivial work or get a bigger portion of some simple food. They or one of them continue to keep silence even being exposed to violence or taken by others as the dead
m197cSham physician: using the flea powderA huckster sells powder that he guarantees will kill fleas (rats, etc.). When someone asks how to use it, he relies that one has to catch the flea, hold its mouth (eyes) open and put powder in it. When the customer says that it would be easier simply to crush, the seller agrees with him
m197eThe unknown animalPerson is covered with tar (honey) and feathers, moves on his or her hands and knees backward, etc. A demon believes that he sees un unknown animal. The persons is saved
m198Wise brothers (the king is bastard)When three brothers (rare: a person) are Invited to khan (judge, king, etc.) and served delicious food, they claim that the food and drink have a taste (smell) of a corpse, dog, goat etc. and/or their host is of a low descent or a bastard. Investigation confirms that their deduction was correct
m198bThe pretended astrologerA person who has not a bit of a skill to expose thieves and find the lost objects does it successfully thanks to a series of lucky coincidences
m198b2Grasshopper by name, the astrologerA king (landlord, etc.) suggests to guess what he has in his hand (in a box). It is an insect there (usually a grasshopper). The man says that now you, Grasshopper, is caught. People think that he gave the correct answer
m198b4The pretended diviner: names of the thievesThe pretended diviner thinks that his exposure is inevitable and pronounces words that reflect his emotional condition. The thieves who stand nearby understand some of these words as their personal names, believe that the diviner knows all about their crime and ask him not to betray them
m199Squeezing the (supposed) stoneA man or a weak animal and an ogre (giant, devil) have a contest to see which of them can squeeze a stone. The man squeezes a cheese (egg, turnip) and thus intimidates the ogre
m199c1Throwing contestAn ogre (devil etc.) pretends to throw a stone or other heavy object so far that it will destroy people beyond the sea (mountains, etc.) (where ogre’s relatives live)
m199dWrestling and running contestsAn ogre (devil, etc.) challenges a man to a wrestling and/or running contest. The man sends his “relative” – a bear to wrestle and a hare to run
m199eCarrying the horseAn ogre (devil, etc.) and a man take turns in carrying a horse. The ogre carries it on his back and is soon exhausted and the man “takes the horse between the legs”, i.e. rides it
m199fPulling the lake togetherPerson threatens the devils (water dwellers, etc.) that he will deprive them of their home (pull together or stir up a lake, dry the sea, build a church where the devils live, etc.). The devils (fish, etc.) fulfill person’s demands
m199g1Carrying a tree with an ogreAn ogre (devil, a strong animal, etc.) and a man (a weaker animal) carry a tree. The man tricks the ogre who carries the heavy bottom-end while the man sits on a branch or walks pretending to carry his burden
m199iScreaming or whistling contextA man (boy) and an ogre (devil, bear, etc.) have a screaming or whistling context. The man uses a trick (binds ogre’s eyes and strikes him on his head with a heavy object; blows a horn at the ogre’s ear; pretends to bind their heads that they would not break because of his whistling, etc.). The ogre acknowledges the man to be stronger than he
m199nCounting out payThe demon has to give the man a hat (boot, bag or other container) full of gold. The man plans his hat (pot etc.) with a hole in it in such a way that the gold falls out of the container as soon as it is put into it. The man gets enormous treasure
m200The miller, his son, and the donkeyAn elder man and a boy travel with one donkey (horse). They try all possible ways but are always blamed (a man rides on the donkey and the boy walks; the boy on the donkey and the man walks; both on the donkey; both walk or they carry the donkey).
m202Thorn removed from lion’s pawPerson removes a thorn from the paw (bone from the throat) of a strong and dangerous animal or a demon, the animal (demon) is grateful
m203Great Pan is deadA supernatural person or creature asks a man (woman) to pass a message for an unknown adressée. The man does it or retells all the story to his family member. The story provokes such a reaction of another supernatural being (who usually lives in the man’s house) that is totally unexpected for the man
m204Money gets one who is destined to get itWhen a deity (powerful person) attempts to pass some money to a certain man, he either gets it or not thanks to his fate while all other factors play no role
m205Birds set a city on fireWarriors lay siege to a city or palace. They catch or receive as a tribute the birds that live there, oil them or tie combustibles (tinder, wood chips, nutshells filled with pitch, etc.) to their bodies and sets them on fire. When released, the birds fly back to the city or palace. The fire starts there and the warriors achieve their objective
m206One half of the giftA guard (courtier) agrees to open a man an access to a powerful person after a promise to share with him the expected reward. The man asks to be bitten (from the very beginning expected the punishment)
m207The mouse in the jugA poor married couple (a poor man) bemoans life’s harshness and blame Adam and Eve who through their disobedience and curiosity brought sin into the world. A powerful person hears their complaint and put them into the place where they can live in luxury. He stipulates only that they must not break certain taboo (usually to open a covered vessel). They break taboo and are returned to their old way of life
m23Mock pleaPerson or creature pretends to be afraid of a particular sort of treatment that really cannot do him any harm
m26aDucks rise hunter into the air (threaded on a string)Person catches birds by tying a bait to a string which they swallow and become tied one after another to the same string; or he immobilizes many birds with one bullet; or gives them liquor and ties to a string. Usually the birds all fly up at once and lift the man up in the air
m29bTrickster-fox, jackal or coyoteIn episodes related to deception, absurd, obscene or anti-social behavior the protagonist is fox, jackal or coyote
m29b1The wolf is a failureBecause of its stupidity and unsocial behavior, the wolf suffers a reverse, is injured or dies
m29b1The wolf is a failureBecause of its stupidity and unsocial behavior, the wolf suffers a reverse, is injured or dies
m29b2The bear is a failure/enemyBecause of its stupidity or unsocial behavior, the bear suffers a reverse, is injured or dies
m29b3The fox (jackal, coyote) is a failureBecause of its stupidity and unsocial behavior, the fox, jackal or coyote suffers a reverse, is injured or dies
m29ggThe hedgehog wins thanks to his smartnessBeing smart and witty, the hedgehog overcomes overcomes strong adversaries
m29kThe turtle (tortoise, toad, frog) wins thanks to his smartnessBeing smart and persistent, the turtle (toad, frog) overcomes strong adversaries
m29k1 Not used in statisticsThe turtle (toad, frog) is a tricky failureA turtle (tortoise, toad, frog) behaves foolishly creating serious problems for himself
m29w3The lion is a failure Because of its stupidity and unsocial behavior, the lion suffers a reverse, is injured or dies
m29z2The Gipsy wins thanks to his smartnessBeing smart and witty, the Gipsy overcomes strong adversaries
m29z3The Gipsy is an enemy or a failureThe Gipsy (more often a female than a male) is an enemy overcome by the hero (heroine) or (rare) a weak failure
m30Trickster falls downPerson or creature who has no wings or is unable to fly on a long distance attempts to ascend to the sky or to fly far away but falls down or, deprived of his wings, remains in a place from which he is unable to return
m38Stupid imitation (all versions)Person sees how others act using magic or according to their animal nature. He or she imitates their actions and gets into trouble. Actions are not heroic deeds, competitions or tests and refer to everyday activity, mostly to providing and cooking food
m38bStupid wives imitate magic one (the daughter of the Sun)The first and rejected or taken later wife acts using magic. Other wives try to imitate her but perish are maimed or disgraced
m38dAnimated objects perish one after anotherTwo or several animated objects or small animals and live or travel together and perish one after another when they make the most simple acts
m38d2The bean, the straw and the coalSeveral (usually three) small animated objects travel but fail to cross a river (usually perish attempting to cross it)
m38d6Bursting from laughSeveral characters who are the embodiments of small objects die one after another. The last of them laughs so much that he bursts (breaks his head, etc.)
m39a1Misunderstood instructions: a step behindFool follows instructions that were reasonable in every previous episode but become absurd in every next one
m39a2Fool puts a needle into the hayFool puts a small sharp object (needle, pin, nail) in a place when it is impossible later to find it (a cart-load of hay, a bag of flour. etc.)
m39a2cThe sowing of saltFool (or a person who pretends to be mad) sows salt (small objects) like grain
m39a4aFool’s customer is an animal or an objectA fool gives meat, a domestic animal, cloth etc. to an animal (plant, inanimate object) and thinks that the latter will pay him later or asks an animal to do some work. Claiming money or products of the work, he finds treasure
m39a4eFool’s customer is a treeFool sells property to a tree (stump, pole, a cross in the countryside) and believes that it will pay him. Trying to get his money, he finds treasure
m39a5aThe sausage rainBecause telling the truth a stupid son (wife, husband)) can bring misfortune upon the family, his mother (wife; her husband) mystifies him (her) making him or her describe events that are definitely impossible. People take him (her) for a fool and let alone.
m39a5bHusband discredited by absurd truthA woman plants fish in the field where her husband is sure to plow them up. He finds them and believes that the fish got there by itself. People take him for mad.
m39a6gFour coins (The sharing of bread and money)Man explains that one part of his incomes he puts out at interest while another part is used to pay debts, i.e. he cares for his children and keeps up his parents
m39cPumpkin sold as a donkey’s eggA numskull finds or buys an unknown fruit (pumpkin, melon, etc.). He mistakes it for an egg of a donkey (mare. camel, etc.). When he drops it or throws it off he scares a hidden hare (rabbit, fox, mouse, etc.). The fool thinks the fugitive is a young animal hatched from the egg
m39dSeries of clever unjust decisionsIn succession and unintentionally a man causes a series of accedents. The injured parties bring him before a judge. In each case the judge makes decisions that are formally logical but patently unacceptable and saves the man
m39fHe had a hat, had he a head?A fool loses his head (usually bitten off by a bear). His wife or companions cannot say had he his head before but remember that he certainly had a hat (beard)
m39gGirl bewails the loss of her child before she has any (Clever Elsie)Girl bewails the loss of her future child before she has any; thinking about an event that could have been tragic; is jealous of her sisters before any of them have fiancée; thinks out the name of her child that does not exist instead of coming to meet her fiancée.
m39g2Shoveling nuts with a pitchforkNumskulls try to shovel nuts with a pitchfork. F stranger shows them how to do this work more easily with a shovel (a basket)
m40The distorted instructionsPerson is sent to receive something of relatively low value. He asks to give him quite different object (to provide a service) and asks one who had sent him to confirm the demand. Usually a person or animal comes to a wife or a son of a powerful one and tells her or him that her (his) husband or father tells to give him food, to make love to him, to marry him, etc.
m45aOld man and animalsA man falls asleep or pretends to be sleeping or dead. Animals take him for dead: mourn, carry to bury, are going to eat up, etc. The man kills a lot of animals or obtain valuables otherwise
m57dBeat, cudgel!Person gets one by one magic objects that bring food or treasure. Other people replace them with common objects or take them away by force. The person takes his property back (usually beating the thieves with magic cudgel or whip)
m74aStrange names of the babiesAn animal person pretends to be invited to be godfather or he gives names to different places along which he travels in a sledge, boat, etc. The names look strange but become understandable when other people or animals get to know that their companion has devoured all the supplies
m74aaTheft of food by playing godfatherAn animal person pretends (several times) that he has to make a visit (that he has been invited to be godfather at a baptism or invited to a funeral or wedding) but instead eats secretly food supplies
m75b1Marco the RichA respected man gets to know that a poor boy must inherit all his property or become a king and tries to prevent it, but the fate cannot be changed
m75b4The Trojan Horse: gaining of the womanTo gain a woman, a man hides inside a hollow figure or a carcass of a big animal (horse, bull, etc.). Person who guards the woman brings it to her. The man comes outside and becomes the woman’s lover. Or a woman hides inside the figure of the horse that is brought into the room of a man
m78A tiny boy (Thumbling)Tiny boy as small as a thumb, a pea and the like taunts people, predator animals, ogres
m78bToo many childrenA woman who is eager to have a child gives birth to a great number of tiny boys. She or her husband kill them or throw them away but one remains and helps his parents
m81Blind personsA man travels and comes to two or several blind (usually old) persons
m81eNot to graze animals on the ogre's landThe young man takes the job of grazing animals and is warned not to cross the border of the ogre’s land. The hero ignores the warning and overcomes the ogre
m81e1The hero brings to the old man his stolen eyes Young man lives with an old man whose eye(s) were stolen by an ogre. The youth comes to the ogre, kills him, brings the stolen eyes and the old man gets to see again
m83bWhose dream is better?Two (or more) (animal)-persons agree that whichever of them has the most wonderful dream may eat all the food. The first one tells about a feast that he participated in his dream. His companion answers that he was sure that after such a feast (after getting into the paradise, etc.) the first one would not need the food, so he has eaten it alone
m84Revived from bonesPerson, animal, fish or (rare) a fruit is eaten up and then revived, usually after all bones (all seeds) being put together
m84aGoat resuscitatedSupernatural beings kill and eat an animal and then put all the bones together (in the animal's skin). After the feast the animal becomes whole (and usually revives)
m85The fox bluffsAn animal person (usually a fox or a jackal) threatens to cut down a tree on which mother bird (squirrel) made its nest unless she will throw down one of her nestlings (squirrel children) or eggs. Another bird lets the mother bird know that the predator is unable to realize his threat
m90Snake gives a correct answer of what material the object is madeSomebody suggests to guess what sort of material a certain object is made of. Another person (usually a monster) gets to know the secret and the hero or the heroin must do what they have promised
m90a1The louse skinIt should be guessed the nature of a big animal or its skin, the content of a box. The correct answer is that the animal is a louse (or a flea), a louse is in the box
m91The killed corpsePerson pretends that a person (often his or her mother, spouse or lover) who recently died is alive, claims that the death of the false alive resulted from negligence of others and gets a reward
m91b1The sold skinA man goes to sell a skin of domestic animal and on his way, by trick or thanks to chance, gets a big sum of money. Usually coming back he explains that this was the price of the skin but when other people kill their animals they cannot sell skins for such a sum. (In India the hero sometimes pretends to sold cow meat to brahmins for whom it is forbidden)
m91c1Herd from the river bottomPerson gets other person’s possessions by trick (or pretends to get it; usually another person is drowned instead of him) and then demonstrates his possessions (usually a herd) and explains that he had received everything at the river bottom. His enemies believe him
m91c2Put into the bagPerson is put into a bag (a cage, tied up, etc.) to be drowned, burned, etc. He pretends to be in this situation by his own will or because he refuses to marry a princess, to become a chief and the like. Another person is willing to take his place and is killed
m91c5The wager that sheep are hogsA man (a boy) drives his cow (or any other domestic animal of a big size) to market. A trickster who would like to buy the animal cheaply tries to convince him that it is a sheep (or any other smaller and cheaper animal). Trickster’s accomplices confirm his opinion and the man sells his cow for the price of a sheep
m95To bring a present for person's kinA weaker person asks the stronger one to take present to his or her kin and hides himself or herself in a bag. The stronger one brings the bag to the weaker one's relatives thinking that there are but some objects inside. Usually a girl deceives the ogre into carrying her sisters and then herself in a sack (chest) back to their home
n14Storyteller on the weddingClosing formula of the folktale: the teller represents himself as being present at the wedding and/or feast, which were organized by characters of the tale
n16The ice horseClosing formula of the folktale: the teller had a horse and/or harness of wax, ice, flax, vegetables, etc. Usually they are melt, eaten, etc.
n17The paper clothesClosing formula of the folktale: the teller met characters of the tale and had clothes made of paper, glass, butter, etc.
n19Still limpingClosing formula of the folktale: one or two people who met the teller after the tale feast or were present at this party became bald and/or lame because of a hot food get on the head and/or a thrown bone or bowl
n22If they are not dead, they are still aliveClosing formula of the folktale: the teller says that the characters are still alive if they are not already dead
n30Crying while looking in one direction and laughing while looking in anotherThe formula that describes the confusion of feelings: when a person looks in one direction, he or she cries, when in another – begins to laugh or smile; or one eye of a person laughs and another laughs; or person laughs looking at one object and weeps looking at another; or one of two persons who share the same fate laughs and another smiles, etc.
n33Pressing adversary into the groundThe hero presses his adversary into the ground or both of them press each other (ankle-, waist-, breast-deep and the like)
n38Which key is betterPerson asks which key is better: the old one that was lost and found or the new one. By this the marriage partner is meant


Warning! The followed motifs has no type selected:
k27x6a

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