Beschrijving
Thumbling (previously Tom Thumb). (Däumling, Petit Poucet, Svend Tomling, Pulgarcillo.) A childless couple wish for a child, however small he may be. They have a boy (by supernatural birth) the size of a thumb [F535.1]. Thumbling takes food to his father on the farm and drives the wagon (plow) by sitting in the horse’s (ox’s) ear [F535.1.1.1]. He allows himself to be sold to strangers and then runs away from them. He lets himself be sold to thieves and accompanies them while they steal. Thumbling either helps them or he betrays them by his shouting; he then robs the thieves. Cf. Type 1525E.
He is swallowed by a cow [F911.3.1], talks from the cow’s insides and reappears [F913] (in the sausage prepared from the intestines of the slaughtered cow [F535.1.1.8]). Someone takes the intestines (sausage) and, frightened by Thumbling’s voice inside, throws them away. Thumbling is swallowed by a wolf (fox) who eats the intestines [F911.3.1]. He talks from the wolf’s belly and the wolf becomes sick and frightens (warns) shepherds. The wolf dies (is killed) and Thumbling is rescued [F913], or he persuades the wolf to take him to his father’s house [F535.1.1]. Cf. Type 327B.
He is swallowed by a cow [F911.3.1], talks from the cow’s insides and reappears [F913] (in the sausage prepared from the intestines of the slaughtered cow [F535.1.1.8]). Someone takes the intestines (sausage) and, frightened by Thumbling’s voice inside, throws them away. Thumbling is swallowed by a wolf (fox) who eats the intestines [F911.3.1]. He talks from the wolf’s belly and the wolf becomes sick and frightens (warns) shepherds. The wolf dies (is killed) and Thumbling is rescued [F913], or he persuades the wolf to take him to his father’s house [F535.1.1]. Cf. Type 327B.
Motief
F535.1
F535.1.1.1
F911.3.1
F913
F535.1.1.8
F911.3.1
F913
F535.1.1
Commentaar
Documented in England in the late 16th century. In variants from southern and southeastern Europe many very small children originate from peas because of a curse or a wish; most are killed, but one survives.
Combinaties
This type is usually combined with episodes of one or more other types, esp. 210, 327, 327B, 327C, 715, 1115, 1525H4, and 1573*.
Oorspronkelijk Verhaaltype
700
Subgenre
sprookje