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AT 0461: Alle volksverhalen
AT 0461 in Lexicon
AT 0461 in Grimm

- Three Hairs from the Devil's Beard

Prophecy, Urias letter, and resultant marriage; cf. Type 930. I. Introduction. Prophecy that a youth is to become the king's son-in-law. Vain attempts to prevent the marriage. II. Quest for Devil's Hairs. (a) The hero is sent on a quest to hell to bring three hairs from the devil's beard or (b) to find who is the strongest (cleverest) person in the world. III. The questions. On his way various questions are given to which the youth is asked to find the answers; e.g., (a) why a tree does not flourish, (b) when a ferryman will be freed from his duties (a water-animal be freed from some annoyance), (c) how the sick prince (princess) can be cured, (d) why a spring has gone dry, (e) where is the lost princess, (f) where is the lost key, (g) how can a girl thus far avoided by suitors marry, (h) why the live stock die. IV. Success of the quest. (a) The youth is aided by the devil's wife. (b) He transforms himself into an insect and hides. (c) The devil smells human flesh but fails to find the hero. (d) By help of the wife he learns the answers to the questions; i.e., (d1) gold or a serpent is hidden under the tree and must be removed, (d2) the ferryman must pass the oar to someone else, who will have to assume his duties, (d3) the princess can be cured when the consecrated wafer stolen at her first communion by a rat is returned (the prince when he removes the stone he has spit out in the church), (d4) the spring will start again when the animal or stone is removed from its vein, and (e) he receives the three hairs. V. Rewards. (a) On the homeward journey he answers the questions and receives a large reward. VI. King as Ferryman. (a) The envious king attempts to imitate the youth's exploits. (b) The ferryman puts the oar into his hand and he must remain ferryman.

M312

M312.1

H1510

M370

H1211

H1210.2

H1273.2

G303.4.1.8.2

H105.4.1

H1316

H1291

H1292

G530.1

D642

G532

H1243

N471

I. M312. Prophecy of future greatness for youth. M312.1. Prophecy: wealthy marriage for poor boy. H1510. Tests of power to survive. Vain attempts to kill hero. M370. Vain attempts to escape fulfillment of prophecy.
II. H1211. Quests assigned in order to get rid of hero. H1210.2. Quest assigned by king. H1273.2. Quest for three hairs from devil's beard. G303.4.1.8.2. Devil has three golden hairs. H105.4.1. Monster's beard as proof of visit. H1316. Quest for the strongest. III. H1291. Questions asked on way to other world. H1292. Answers found in other world to questions propounded on the way.
IV. G530.1. Help from ogre's wife. D642. Transformation to escape difficult situation. G532. Hero hidden and ogre deceived by his wife (daughter) when he says he smells human blood.
V. H1243. Riches the reward of questions solved on guests. N471. Foolish attempt of second man to overhear secrets (from animals, demons, etc.). He is punished. P413.1.1. Ferryman puts oar into king's hand and he must remain ferryman. Q521.5. Penance: ferryman setting people over a stream until relieved by another.

sprookje

**Tille Zs. f. Vksk. XXIX 22ff.

**Aarne Der reiche Mann und sein Schwiegersohn FFC XXIII 115-194 (Bibliography of studies p. 17)

*BP I 276 (Grimm No. 29)

Coffin 1.