Beschrijving
The Wise Carving of the Fowl [H601]. This tale exists chiefly in two different forms:
(1) A poor man (farmer, clever man) brings his master (ruler) a chicken (dove, goose, etc.) as a present. The master asks him to divide the bird appropriately among the members of his household. The poor man gives the master the head and his wife the neck, because the head and the neck belong together (the wife the rump, because she sits at home, or the heart). He gives the two sons the legs, because they work outside the house to support the household, and the two daughters the wings, because they will fly away. He takes the body for himself. The master rewards him well for his wisdom. Cf. Type 875.
Sometimes the tale continues: A neighbor hears of the poor man’s good fortune. He brings the master a present of five chickens along with rice. When he is asked to divide these appropriately he cannot do so, and he is beaten.
(2) Sometimes as a conclusion to the version above: A master asks the poor man to divide (these) five chickens (other birds) among the members of his household. The poor man gives the master and his wife one bird, to make three. Likewise he gives one to the two sons and one to the two daughters. Finally he takes the last two for himself, to make another set of three. Cf. Type 1663.
(1) A poor man (farmer, clever man) brings his master (ruler) a chicken (dove, goose, etc.) as a present. The master asks him to divide the bird appropriately among the members of his household. The poor man gives the master the head and his wife the neck, because the head and the neck belong together (the wife the rump, because she sits at home, or the heart). He gives the two sons the legs, because they work outside the house to support the household, and the two daughters the wings, because they will fly away. He takes the body for himself. The master rewards him well for his wisdom. Cf. Type 875.
Sometimes the tale continues: A neighbor hears of the poor man’s good fortune. He brings the master a present of five chickens along with rice. When he is asked to divide these appropriately he cannot do so, and he is beaten.
(2) Sometimes as a conclusion to the version above: A master asks the poor man to divide (these) five chickens (other birds) among the members of his household. The poor man gives the master and his wife one bird, to make three. Likewise he gives one to the two sons and one to the two daughters. Finally he takes the last two for himself, to make another set of three. Cf. Type 1663.
Motief
H601
Commentaar
Documented in the 7th century in the Midrasch Echa rabbati.
Combinaties
875, 875A.
Oorspronkelijk Verhaaltype
1533
Subgenre
mop