Beschrijving
The Boy with Many Names. A man is employed as a farmhand by a master (king, rich man, clergyman), but refuses to use his right name. Various people call him absurd names, for example, Bird, Hair, Sultry (I Myself, Cat, Cramp) [K602].
The different names cause misunderstands that work to the farmhand’s advantage: He sleeps with the daughter and wife of his master. When they accuse him, the master does not understand them, and the farmhand continues this behavior. The master knows that the servant has stolen money (other valuables), but because of his peculiar names he is not convicted of the theft. After the farmhand leaves, his tricks are discovered, but he is not apprehended because the people who seek him are ridiculed for calling out his names.
The different names cause misunderstands that work to the farmhand’s advantage: He sleeps with the daughter and wife of his master. When they accuse him, the master does not understand them, and the farmhand continues this behavior. The master knows that the servant has stolen money (other valuables), but because of his peculiar names he is not convicted of the theft. After the farmhand leaves, his tricks are discovered, but he is not apprehended because the people who seek him are ridiculed for calling out his names.
Motief
K602
Commentaar
Documented e.g. in the collection Heer-Paucker (1660, 171–176 [EM archive]). The roll of the servant is often assigned to regional tricksters (e.g. Pedro Urdemales in Central and South America).
Combinaties
1562A, 1833A.
Oorspronkelijk Verhaaltype
1545
Subgenre
mop