Beschrijving
Holding Down the Hat. This tale exists chiefly in two different forms:
(1) A merchant is chasing a thief who stole from him. Disguised as a farmer, the thief stands by the side of the road pretending to be guarding a valuable falcon which he has hidden under his hat. When the merchant comes by, the “farmer” offers to chase the thief, if the merchant will guard the falcon and lend him his horse. The merchant pays him for helping, and the thief keeps the horse in addition. Cf. Type 1540.
(2) A man defecates by the side of a road and covers the pile with his hat. When a priest comes by, the man explains that he has caught a beautiful bird. He sells the “bird” to the priest with the condition that he should not pick up the hat until the man is out of sight. After the man has left, the priest reaches under the hat to grasp the bird, and finds only a handful of feces [K1252].
(1) A merchant is chasing a thief who stole from him. Disguised as a farmer, the thief stands by the side of the road pretending to be guarding a valuable falcon which he has hidden under his hat. When the merchant comes by, the “farmer” offers to chase the thief, if the merchant will guard the falcon and lend him his horse. The merchant pays him for helping, and the thief keeps the horse in addition. Cf. Type 1540.
(2) A man defecates by the side of a road and covers the pile with his hat. When a priest comes by, the man explains that he has caught a beautiful bird. He sells the “bird” to the priest with the condition that he should not pick up the hat until the man is out of sight. After the man has left, the priest reaches under the hat to grasp the bird, and finds only a handful of feces [K1252].
Motief
K1252
Commentaar
Documented in Germany in the early 14th century (Neidhart with the Violet). In the 19th and 20th centuries, the tale has become purely humorous; some of its old motifs have disappeared and have been replaced by others from other anecdotes.
Combinaties
This type is usually combined with one or more other types, esp. 1085, 1384, 1530, 1535, 1539, 1540, 1540A*, and 1541.
Oorspronkelijk Verhaaltype
1528
Subgenre
mop