Beschrijving
The man is saved by solving the riddle propounded by the devil. The solution discovered in the forest.
I. Devil's Contract. (a) A man (three men) promises himself to the devil at the end of a certain time if he cannot solve three (seven) riddles which the devil propounds [M211].
II. The Riddles. (a) The devil has objects which appear different from what they really are [H523]. Their real nature must be guessed: (a1) horse - a he-goat, (a2) cloth - a goat-skin, (a3) gold cup - cup of pitch; or (a4) roast meat - dead dog, (a5) spoon - whale-rib, (a6) wineglass - horse's hoof, etc.; or (b) he asks seemingly impossible questions: what is sweeter than honey, [H671], softer than swansdown [H672], harder than stone [H673]; or (c) symbolic interpretations (the meanings of the numbers 1 to 7, etc. [H602.1.1]); or (d) he sets impossible tasks [H1010]; see Type 1170ff.
III. The Solution. (a) The solution is found by hiding in a tree and overhearing the devil's conversation with a companion [N451.1], or (b) by masking and overhearing [G661.1] or (c) by being hid by the devil's grandmother who gets the secrets from the devil [G530.4], or (d) through the agency of a supernatural helper [N810].
Subgenre
sprookje
Literatuur
*BP III 12 (Grimm No. 125)
Coffin 4
Dahnhardt I 194ff.