Travelers ask their direction. Peasant thinks they want to buy oxen. - Peasant's wife arrives; thinks they say her food is too salty. - Daughter-in-law and father-in-law misunderstand each others. [X111.2].
A inquires for his lost animal. - B talks about his work and makes a gesture. - A follows the directions of the gesture and happens to find the animals. He returns and offers an injured animal to B in thanks. B thinks he is blamed for injuring the…
Priest tells villagers that if anyone throws a stone at them they should throw bread back. When an old woman throws a small piece of stone at her son, he throws a large loaf of bread at her and almost kills her. [J2461].
The mother teaches the boy (the man his wife) what he should say (do) in this or that circumstance. He uses the words in the most impossible cases and is always punished. [J2461]. Cf. Types 1681A, 1681B.
Pots broken; fire set. A fool (or trickster) follows instructions literally and disastrously. He is taken before a judge or rajah, but is freed. (a) An oil seller tells a fool (or a trickster), who has spilled a little oil, that spilt oil brings good…
Cf. Type 177. A fool accompanies a group of thieves, who send him into the house while they wait outside.
I. Following Directions Literally. (a) Told to bring out something »heavy» (i.e., valuable), he brings out a heavy mortar, or the like…
A man asked to tell the truth says that his host, his hostess, and the cat have but three eyes between them. He is driven off for his truth telling. [J551.4].
The fool starves himself at table since a cat steps on his foot and he thinks his companion is giving him hint to stop eating. He later hunts food in house and gets into trouble. [J2541]. Cf. Type 1775.
the beet and the horse. Raparius. A farmer takes an extraordinary beet as present to the king and receives a large reward. His companion is eager for a reward and leads a handsome steed to the palace. The king rewards him with the beet. [J2415.1].…
The man plans to take peaches as a present to the king. He is persuaded rather to take figs. They are green and the king has them thrown in his face. He is thankful that they weren't peaches. [J2563].
Both spend the night at the girl's home. The poor suitor effects the disgrace of his rich rival. Or: the match-maker, taking fancy to the girl, brings about the downfall of the suitor he is sponsoring, and himself woos the girl.
The wooer makes boasts to the girl and the servant always doubles the master's boast. Finally the master says, »I have poor eyesight.» - The servant, »You don't see at all.» (Or the master coughs and apologizes; the servant says that he coughs all…