ATU 1242A    ATU 1242A   

ATU 1242A: Alle volksverhalen

- Relief for the Donkey

Relief for the Donkey (previously Carrying Part of the Load). (Including the previous Type 1242B.) Instead of placing a sack of flour (some other load) on the donkey’s (ox’s) back, a rider puts it on his shoulder to relieve the animal of its burden [J1874.1]. Cf. Type 1215.
In some variants a man puts a load on one side of a saddle and balances it on the other side with a rock [J1874.2]. (Previously Type 1242B.)

J1874.1

J1874.2

The basic idea can be found in the ancient Greek comedy Ranae (The Frogs, 24–32) of Aristophanes (405 B.C.E).Early literary version (13th century) by the Persian-speaking alloddin Rumi, Masnavi-ye ma’ navi (II, 3176). Widespread anecdote with various versions.

1242A

mop