Beschrijving
To Sacrifice a Giant Candle. (Including the previous Type 1553A*.) A sailor (farmer, Gypsy) in distress at sea (in a difficult situation) promises to sacrifice a giant candle (as high as a mast, as long as a pole) more expensive than he can afford. When he is asked to produce it, he replies that the candle would become smaller by itself, or he discharges his promise by offering a small light, or does not fulfill the promise at all [K231.3, K231.3.1]. Cf. Type 1718*.
Version from the Middle Ages: A farmer leading a cow and a calf to St. Michael fears the sea and calls on the saint for help, promising to sacrifice the calf. When free from danger, he says that St. Michael was foolish to expect him to give the calf. Again the sea rises, again the farmer calls for help, and St. Michael appears. Now the farmer promises to sacrifice both the cow and the calf, but again he does not discharge his promise. The third time the sea swallows him up together with the animals.
Version from the Middle Ages: A farmer leading a cow and a calf to St. Michael fears the sea and calls on the saint for help, promising to sacrifice the calf. When free from danger, he says that St. Michael was foolish to expect him to give the calf. Again the sea rises, again the farmer calls for help, and St. Michael appears. Now the farmer promises to sacrifice both the cow and the calf, but again he does not discharge his promise. The third time the sea swallows him up together with the animals.
Motief
K231.3
K231.3.1
Commentaar
Aesopic fable (Perry 1965, 425f., No. 28, 427 No. 34).
Oorspronkelijk Verhaaltype
778
Subgenre
sprookje