GvMFa-1: “The cock and the pearl”: A cock finds a pearl in the dust and does not take it, as he searches for nourishment. Moral: The pearl found by the fool serves the wise man well, as wisdom is more important to him than food.

Motif References:

J 1061.1 The cock and the pearl: prefers a single corn to a peck of pearls

GvMFa-2: “The wolf and the lamb”: A wolf reproaches a lamb for drinking from the same brook, polluting the water; this reminds him of the lamb’s father who did the same six months before and was killed. The lamb contradicts him: it is impossible that he pollutes the water, as the wolf stands upstream, he himself downstream. The wolf bites the lamb to death. Moral: Innocence is no argument in those cases where the mighty take unfair advantage of their power.

Motif References:

U 31 Wolf unjustly accuses lamb and eats him [Stronger animal unjustly accuses weaker to damage him]
K 2100 False accusation

GvMFa-3: “The frog and the mouse”: A mouse living in a mill accommodates a frog: feeds him but does not give him anything to drink. The frog is angry about this and invites the mouse in return. On the way to his abode, they have to cross a brook. The frog pretends to make security precautions and ties the mouse to his leg. But he attempts to drown his friend by diving instead. A harrier takes advantage of their quarrel and devours them both. Moral: The one who has the intention of betraying his friend gets betrayed himself.

Motif References:

J 657 Care in selecting the creature to carry one
K 1626 Would-be killers killed
K 2010 Hypocrite pretends friendship but attacks
K 2297 Treacherous friend

GvMFa-4: “The dog and the sheep”: In the law court, a dog falsely accuses a sheep of having borrowed bread from him. The sheep denies in the presence of its kin. The dog brings by wolf and vulture as (false) testimony. The sheep loses the case and has to give them its wool as compensation; has cold during winter. Moral: How to get good people’s goods with false testimony.

Motif References:

U 31 Wolf unjustly accuses lamb and eats him [Stronger animal unjustly accuses weaker to damage him]
M 90 Judgments and decrees – miscellaneous motifs
B 270.1 Lawsuit between animals [Th.: Lawsuit between the owl and kite]
P 510 Law courts
K 2127 False accusation of theft [debt]

GvMFa-5: “The dog and the cheese”: A dog carrying a loaf of cheese in his mouth crosses a brook; he mistakes his own reflection in the water for another dog carrying a cheese and greedily jumps into the water to get it. He loses the piece he has been carrying. Moral: A greedy man is never content with what he has; always desires what others own.

Motif References:

W 151 Greed
J 344 What one has is neglected in search for other things
J 1791.4 Dog drops his meat for the reflection

GvMFa-6: “The lion on the hunt”: The lion as king of animals goes on a hunt with two of his officials, an ox and a grey wolf. He hunts down a stag. His two companions, who hoped to get a good part of the booty, are outfoxed: The lion divides the stag into three parts: one for himself, as he is the king, the second for friendship (for himself), and he will see who dares to take the third part from him! So, the two leave all of it to him. Moral: Never mingle with other ranks. Stay among your peers.

Motif References:

P 13.9.1 King has first choice in booty
U 37 Wolf as commander orders all booty divided, but keeps his own [Lion keeps all booty to himself]
K 171 Deceptive division of profits
B 240.4 Lion as king of animals
P 310.8 Friendship possible only between equals
J 684.2 Foolishness of taking on too strong a partner
J 811.1.1 Lion divides the booty

GvMFa-7: “The sun looks out for a wife”: The sun wants to guarantee succession and therefore looks out for a wife. The other creatures have council about how to prevent this – pray to God, Jupiter, Mercure, the moon and Saturn – as they fear that the sun’s power together with his children might destroy everything. So, the Gods prevent propagation. Moral: The book of Aristotle says that one master is better than 17.

Motif References:

V 50 Prayer
Z 139 Personifications – miscellaneous
V 215 (Hi) Heathen gods
J 613.1 Frogs fear increase of sun’s power which will dry up all their puddles [Animals fear that sun’s children will destroy everything]

GvMFa-8: “The wolf and the crane”: A bone is stuck in the wolf’s throat. On the fox’s advice, he asks the crane for help, promises reward and friendship in return. Crane removes the bone with his long beak. When he asks for his reward, the wolf jeers at him – he should be glad that he did not bite his head off; if he, the crane, had read the books, he would know about the danger of being devoured. Moral: Rulers often return good deeds of their subjects with ingratitude.

Motif References:

U 30 Rights of the strong
W 154.3 Crane [crow] pulls bone from wolf’s throat: wolf refuses payment
M 200 Bargains and promises
M 205 Breaking of bargains and promises
K 231 Debtor refuses to pay his debt
B 463.3 Helpful crane

GvMFa-9: “The two dogs”: A gravid, homeless bitch asks another one for accommodation to give birth to her pups. At the beginning of winter, the host asks her to leave, as there is too little room, but as the guest argues that she and the little ones would freeze to death, she is allowed to stay until summer. By then, the guest and her pups are in superior number and expel their host. Moral: False humility is often treacherous.

Motif References:

P 332 Selfish guest expels host
K 499 Additional cheats
K 2294 Treacherous host

GvMFa-10: “The two mice”: A town mouse wants to move from her house and is accommodated by a country mouse, which treats her with great hospitality. But the town mouse finds everything too poor and invites the country mouse to her more comfortable place, a shed. One day, they are found by the owner of the shed and chased by him and his cat. The country mouse returns to her hole, as life there is more peaceful. Moral: In times of peace it is easy to acquire goods, but it is better to live in peace and poverty than in wealth without peace.

Motif References:

J 211.2 Town mouse and country mouse
P 324.1 Host treats guest with food and everything possible

GvMFa-11: “The fox and the eagle”: An eagle abducts one of the fox’s cubs to his nest; wants to feed it to his own young. When the old fox menaces to burn the tree, the eagle returns the cub. Moral: The eagle is an arrogant rich man; the fire is hell-fire.

Motif References:

R 13.3.2 Eagle carries off youth [Abduction by eagle]
Z 100 Symbolism
R 153.2 Father rescues children
L 315.3 Fox burns tree in which eagle has nest
J 1118 Clever bird [general: clever animals]

GvMFa-12: “The eagle and the crow”: An eagle finds a snail, but does not get at its meat because of its hard shell. A crow advises him to drop the snail from the height so to crack the shell. The eagle follows this advice, but the crow gets the start of: grips the snail, eagle stays hungry. Moral: Naivety is cheated by ruse.

Motif References:

K 359 Means of hoodwinking guardian or owner – miscellaneous
K 2295 Treacherous animals

GvMFa-13: “The raven and the fox”: An arrogant raven carrying a cheese in his mouth sits on a tree and shrieks. A fox flatters him (about his feathers, eyes, song), so the raven starts singing and loses the hold of his cheese; the fox escapes with it. Moral: Beware of false praise.

Motif References:

W 116 Vanity
K 334.1 The raven with cheese in his mouth
K 2295 Treacherous animals

GvMFa-14: “The sick wolf”: An old wolf feels death come near; the other animals come to visit him. Fox, ass, ram and stag lament his pains, but the other animals jeer at him or hurt him. He is sad that his subjects – and not only those he treated unjustly – treat him so abominably: in former times, they used to admire, greet and honor him. Moral: As long as a man is lucky and young, he has many friends and is courted; as soon as luck turns, he is left alone.

Motif References:

P 16.3.1 Old king attacked
W 121.2.1 Ass insults dying lion [Animals insult dying lion, wolf]
B 240.10 Wolf as king of animals

GvMFa-15: “The dog and the ass”: Ass envies the dog that is caressed by his master. He imitates the dog in order to be treated equally: jumps on his master’s lap, bounces about. The master calls for his servant who flogs the ass. Moral: Many a man believes to be pleasant, but displeases, as he does not act befitting his order.

Motif References:

J 512 Animal should not try to change his nature
J 2413.1 Ass tries to caress his master like the dog

GvMFa-16: “The lion and the mouse”: A lion catches a mouse that woke him up from sleep. He releases her when she asks for mercy. Later, the mouse gives him good advice when he has fallen into a hole: he manages to escape. Moral: A weak man can give good advice to a strong.

Motif References:

W 27 Gratitude
R 121 Means of rescue from prison
B 371.1 Lion spared mouse: mouse grateful
B 437.2 Helpful mouse
J 829 Dealing with the great – miscellaneous

GvMFa-17: “The swallow and the flax”: A swallow advises the other birds to destroy the flax-seeds in order to prevent future damage for them. As the other birds do not accept this advice, the swallow has council only with her kin: Swallows should search for food only in houses and churches, not like the other birds that are caught in the snares the flax is made to. Moral: A wise man does not disdain good advice. It is foolish to ignore a friend’s advice.

Motif References:

J 621.1 The swallow and the hemp-seeds
J 652 Inattention to warnings
J 2137 Death through lack of foresight
A 2433.4 Haunts of birds

GvMFa-18: “The frogs and their king” (source: Esop): Frogs demand a king from Jupiter. Jupiter sends them a log. Frogs flee at first, and then they realize their “king’s” peaceful character and adore him until they discover that it is only a log. They demand a king who is able to jump, dance, and sing from Jupiter; that one finally sends them a snake that treats them badly. Moral: A ruler must be peaceful and mild. A people should follow a just ruler so not to be ruined by a tyrant.

Motif References:

W 128 Dissatisfaction
V 215 (Hi) Heathen gods
B 245.1 King of frogs
J 643.1 Frogs demand a live king
J 2072 Short-sighted wish

GvMFa-19: “The pigeons and the falcon”: Pigeons ask the falcon to be their protector against danger. But the falcon acts according to his nature and hunts them. The pigeons have council, as they see that he will never be able to give up his tyrannical nature. An old pigeon says that it is their own fault to invite their enemy. Moral: It is better to get used to inconvenience than submit to a bad ruler.

Motif References:

U 129 Nature will show itself – miscellaneous
J 229 Choice between evils – miscellaneous
B 267 Animal allies
J 429 Association of strong and weak – miscellaneous
J 684.2 Foolishness of taking on too strong a partner
K 2296 Treacherous partner

GvMFa-20: “The thief and the dog”: A thief wants to entice a watchdog away by bribing him with food. The dog refuses – even if he helped the thief, he would not keep to his promise –, stays loyal to his master and barks loudly until his master comes. Moral: The faithful rarely do wrong.

Motif References:

W 34 Loyalty
B 301 Faithful animal
B 325.1 Animal bribed with food
K 2062 Thief tries to feed watchdog and stop his mouth

GvMFa-21: “The pregnant hill” (source: Esop): A mountain is so big that people believe it to be pregnant. They fear him when he starts laboring, but he only gives birth to a little mouse. People laugh about their fear of this kind of delivery. Moral: Much ado about nothing.

Motif References:

U 114 Mountain in labor brings forth a mouse

GvMFa-22: “The hound and the hare”: A master reproaches his old hound, as he let a hare escape. The hound retorts that his teeth are worn out because of his old age and the hard work he had to do for his master. The master should let him enjoy his old age. Moral: Never scorn old people who have worked all their life.

Motif References:

W 154.4 Hunter beats dog which has grown old in his service

GvMFa-23: “The fly and the bald man”: A bald man bitten by a fly aims at the insect, but only hits himself. Moral: If you want to hurt someone else you often do damage to yourself.

Motif References:

J 2102.3 Bald man aims at fly: hurts his head

GvMFa-24: “The fox and the crane”: A fox invites a crane, cooks a pap and serves it on a stone – has all of it for himself. The crane in his turn invites the fox and serves the food in a jug with a narrow neck. Moral: Always treat a friend the way you want to be treated yourself. Good deeds are never forgotten, bad treatment will be repaid.

Motif References:

P 320 Hospitality
J 1565.1 Fox and crane [stork] invite each other

GvMFa-25: “The mule and the fly”: A lazy mule is pestered by a fly that wants to drive him on. The mule says he does not fear the fly, as he is tormented by a man. Moral: A big-mouthed person threatens a good man more than a virtuous person would do, who is more successful in subduing the weak one in the end.

Motif References:

J 974 Kid perched on house jeers at wolf [horse-fly molests busy mule]

GvMFa-26: “The captured weasel”: A weasel gets caught in a trap and reminds his master that he killed many mice in his service. The man retorts that in case he had done this without selfish intentions, he would have mercy, but as the weasel killed the mice only to have easier access to his food-provisions, he has to suffer for it. Moral: Faithfulness pays well, ingratitude perishes. What is entrusted to a bad man is lost.

Motif References:

U 280 (Hi) The nature of life – miscellaneous

GvMFa-27: “The frog and the ox”: A frog wants to imitate the ox to gain his friendship: balloons herself and asks her children if her bulk is the same as the ox’s. As they deny it, she balloons herself more and more until she explodes after the third time. Moral: There is a proverb saying: Do not extend yourself to the last with arrogance. Do not try to act against your nature and kind.

Motif References:

Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
L 420 Overweening ambition punished
J 512 Animal should not try to change his nature
J 955.1 Frog tries in vain to be as big as ox
J 2137 Death through lack of foresight

GvMFa-28: “The horse and the ass”: A horse in fine trappings meets a heavily burdened ass at a narrow passage and insults him as he does not let him pass. The frightened ass steps out of the way. Years later, they meet again: The horse has been sent to the countryside where it has to transport dung, as it has grown old and sick from tournaments and journeys. The ass greets the horse, who is now his equal. Moral: Do not be arrogant in lucky times. Do not despise the poor.

Motif References:

W 187 Insolence [Self-conceit]
L 460 Pride brought low – miscellaneous

GvMFa-29: “The wolf and the fox”: The fox comes to pay the wolf a visit with the intention to get at his food-supplies. The wolf sends him away, as he knows the fox’s treacherous character. The fox takes revenge and betrays the wolf to the shepherd who kills the wolf. When the fox attempts to take possession of the wolf’s cave, he is captured by the hunters. Moral: The biter will be bitten!

Motif References:

W 181.4 Jealous fox betrays wolf to peasant and then appropriates wolf’s cave and food
K 1601 Deceiver falls into his own trap (literally)
K 2061 Treacherous plan of hypocritical animal detected and prevented
K 2295 Treacherous animals

GvMFa-30: “The two oxen”: A young ox is put to the yoke with an old one with the intention to teach the young to walk peacefully like the old. Moral: The ways of the old may serve the young ones well. Concord is good, discord leads to setback.

Motif References:

J 151 Wisdom from old person
J 441.1 Old ox yoked with young ox

GvMFa-31: “The ass who is tired of life”: An ass who is flogged by his master, a merchant, who has to hurry to arrive at the market, says he would prefer death to his life. But when he dies, his hide is made to drums, and so he is beaten even in death. Moral: If indolence is not punished during lifetime, it will be in hell.

Motif References:

N 101 Inexorable fate
J 227 Death preferred to other evils
Q 321 Laziness punished

GvMFa-32: “The stag among the oxen”: A stag escapes the hunters and asks the oxen to give him shelter. They promise to hide him from the one with the many eyes. When the owner of the oxen recognizes the stag by his antlers, he asks his servants how he has got there – they say that they do not know; the stag stays unharmed. Moral: The one who flees at the right moment is also a man. Always take care of your own things yourself (importance of self-dependence).

Motif References:

J 1032 Stag found by master when overlooked by servants

GvMFa-33: “The fox and the grapes”: Fox in the vineyard tries to get at the grapes that are out of his reach; consoles himself by pretending that they are sour anyway. Moral: It is painful to strive after things one can not get at.

Motif References:

J 871 The fox and the sour grapes

GvMFa-34: “The weasel and the mouse”: A weasel that is too old to catch mice uses traps and catches three young. An old mouse jeers at the weasel: he can only catch fools, not her, the old and experienced one. Moral: Skill and wisdom are always useful (sometimes more than physical strength).

Motif References:

J 710 Forethought in provision for food

GvMFa-35: “The panther’s revenge”: A panther gets caught in a pitfall and is tormented by the trappers. Some people have pity on him and give him bread, expecting that he will not survive until the following day anyway. But he is strengthened and jumps out of the hole, searching for the malefactors who flee him, leaving their cattle behind. He punishes them, but rewards those who helped him. Moral: Do not treat the just unjustly.

Motif References:

R 50 Conditions of captivity
R 211 Escape from prison
B 299.1 Animal takes revenge on man
B 364.1 Animal grateful for rescue from trap
K 735 Capture in pitfall

GvMFa-36: “The horse and the stag” (source: Esop): Horse and stag do not get on well together, as the horse envies the stag his beautiful body. The horse tells a hunter where to find the stag (whose horn may be made to a remedy, meat to a fine meal, hide to money). So they go on a hunt, but the stag escapes, as the horse is not quick enough – the hunter sets spurs to him. Moral: If you go on a hunt, you can not rest; many are envious of the gifts others have got from God.

Motif References:

W 195 Envy
K 1610 Deceiver falls into his own trap – miscellaneous

GvMFa-37: “The raven’s feast”: The raven invites other birds to a feast in a great banquet hall. He closes the doors and kills all of them. Moral: Great expectations are often disappointed.

Motif References:

K 815.4 Cat invites hens to a feast and kills them [Raven invites birds to a feast and kills them]
K 2294 Treacherous host

GvMFa-38: “The thirsty crow”: A thirsty crow tries to drink from a bucket, but it is too heavy to be moved, and the water it contains stands at a low level; the bird drops pebbles into the bucket to make the water raise and is able to drink. Moral: Skill serves better than physical power.

Motif References:

J 101 Crow drops pebbles into water jug so as to be able to drink

GvMFa-39: “The child and the snake”: A child wandering in the woods bumps against a stone. When he lifts it, he finds a snake that warns him from doing this, as it is beyond his strength; tells him to go away, as it, the snake, could easily kill him. Moral: Never do anything that exceeds your strength.

Motif References:

J 130 Wisdom (knowledge) acquired from animals

GvMFa-40: “The ass and the wolf”: Wolf pretends to take care of a sick ass: Asks him which parts of his body ache. The ass knows the wolf’s treacherous character and tells him that his whole body aches. Moral: Never trust the insidious and false.

Motif References:

J 1440 Repartee – miscellaneous
K 2061 Treacherous plan of hypocritical animal detected and prevented

GvMFa-41: “The kids and the ram”: Three kids mock an old ram when they perceive him running away from something. The ram tells them that they would not laugh if they knew what he was fleeing from. Moral: Often the young who mock the old ones do not think of what they might be running from.

Motif References:

J 151 Wisdom from old person

GvMFa-42: “The found sword”: A man finds a sword lying on the road and asks whom it belongs to. The sword answers that a single man lost it, whereas it itself lost many [men]. Moral: The bad one does damage too many; finally his falsehood is betrayed anyway.

Motif References:

Z 100 Symbolism
F 997.1 Sword is spoken to as human being
D 1610.9.1 Speaking sword

GvMFa-43: “The sheep and the stag”: A stag unjustly demands repayment of debts (grain) of a sheep. As he has come with the wolf as testimony, the intimidated sheep asks for respite. Stag grants this. When he comes – this time on his own – at the set term to demand his debt, the sheep sends him away, refusing to pay a debt that was unlawfully and unjustly demanded. Moral: A mighty often is outwitted by a simple man.

Motif References:

K 238 Deceptive respite in payment obtained
B 270.1 Lawsuit between animals [Th.: Lawsuit between the owl and kite]
J 1169 Clever pleading – miscellaneous
K 2127 False accusation of theft [debt]
K 2299 Other villains and traitors – miscellaneous

GvMFa-44: “The wolf and the sow”: A wolf offers a gravid sow to take care of her piglets. The sow refuses, detecting the treacherous intention behind this offer, says it is unseemly that men fulfill women’s tasks. Moral: Never trust the false and hypocritical.

Motif References:

J 640 Avoidance of others’ power
K 2061.6 Wolf offers to act as midwife for sow

GvMFa-45: “The lamb and the goat”: A sheep entrusts a goat with the care of her lamb. It lives among the other kids. When the shepherd’s dog wants to send the outsider away, the lamb declares that it regards the goat as its mother and the kids as its brothers and sisters. Moral: The power of habit is often stronger than nature or becomes second nature.

Motif References:

U 139 Power of habit – miscellaneous
P 272 Foster mother
J 391.1 Lamb chooses her foster-mother, the she-goat

GvMFa-46: “The hares and the frogs”: Hares have council on how to deal with their fear of other animals. One of them gets up to an elevated place, so as to be seen by everyone, and advises them to fight and defend themselves. They all swear rather to kill themselves than to flee. But when hunters approach, they flee nevertheless. When crossing a brook, the frogs living there flee from them! Hares realize that there are weaker animals that fear them – everyone has to act according to his nature. Moral: Acting against your nature is wrong. There is always someone weaker than you.

Motif References:

U 129 Nature will show itself – miscellaneous
M 161 Vow never to flee in fear of death
R 220 Flights
J 512 Animal should not try to change his nature
J 881.1 More timid than the hare

GvMFa-47: “The lion and the shepherd”: A shepherd removes a thorn from a lion’s paw despite his great fear. The lion is grateful. A short time later, the shepherd is to be fed to the lions that are herded by the king as punishment. Among them is the lion that he helped before and who now saves his helper from the other beasts. The king is generous and liberates them both. Moral: Never forget a good deed.

Motif References:

W 27 Gratitude
B 381 Thorn removed from lion’s paw (Androcles and the Lion)
P 412 Shepherd
Q 415.4 Punishment: being fed to lions (wild beasts)
B 525 Animal spares man he is about to devour
Q 570 Punishment and remission
N 760 Other accidental encounters
N 841 Shepherd as helper
B 845 Wild animals herded

GvMFa-48: “The horse and the lion”: Hungry lion comes to a pasture. Horse fears him and takes to a ruse to save himself: Knowing about the lion’s mildness and pity, he deceives him into taking a look at his hoof, pretending that a thorn sticks in it. When the lion does so, the horse kicks his head and flees. Moral: Never do anything good to the ungrateful.

Motif References:

K 1121 Wolf (lion) approaches too near to horse: kicked in face

GvMFa-49: “The bat”: War between birds (eagle as king) and quadrupeds (lion as king). Bat does not know where it belongs, as its mouselike feet are those of a quadruped, but its wings are birdlike. When overhearing Jupiter’s promise (defeat of enemy) to the eagle that brings him gifts, it takes the side of the birds. War is ended by agreement. Bat is cast out by both parties because of double-dealing; it is plucked. It belongs nowhere, and is therefore called Vespertilio in Latin. Moral: Double dealers are to be cast out.

Motif References:

W 175 Changeableness
B 240.4 Lion as king of animals
B 242.1.1 Eagle king of birds
Q 261 Treachery punished
B 261.1 Bat in war of birds and quadrupeds
Q 432 Punishment: ejectment
Q 488 Cutting [tousling] hair as punishment
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
Z 730 (Bm) Eponymous account of personal name
K 2030 Double dealers
A 2239 Animal characteristics from miscellaneous punishments

GvMFa-50: “The stag and his antlers” (source: Esop): A stag is proud of his antlers but scorns his short legs. But when he has to flee from the hunters, his legs serve him well, whereas his antlers get caught in the trees. Moral: Often the things you praise are not worth it!

Motif References:

J 264 Apparent beauty may be of the least importance
L 461 Stag scorns his legs but is proud of his horns

GvMFa-51: “About a woman’s faithfulness”: A woman mourns for her beloved husband. At the same time, a thief is hanged; his corpse must be left hanging as deterrent (death as punishment for removing it). A knight, steward of his lands, has him cut off and buried nevertheless. So, he is guilty of helping a damned. He is comforted by the woman. She provides her husband’s corpse to be hanged on the gallows as substitute! Moral: Women always faithless – they fall for the first man after the husband’s death.

Motif References:

T 231 The faithless widow
Q 413.1 Hanging as punishment for theft
E 800 The Corpse
K 1840 Deception by substitution

GvMFa-52: “The woman and her paramour” (source: Esop): A woman who has always been chaste finally takes a paramour. She tells him that he is the one she loves most. He retorts that he knows well that she desires to have more lovers, but that he wants her heart for himself. Moral: Women are inconstant. The one who has never been betrayed by a woman is a wise man.

Motif References:

W 175 Changeableness

GvMFa-53: “The wolf and the sheep” (source: Esop): Sheep and wolves agree to settle their feud by a final war. Sheep bring many dogs as support. Wolves propose deceptive peace treaty: sheep shall give the dogs as hostages; they will give their cubs in return. The wolves kill the dogs, then start a campaign to get back their cubs: They start wailing at an agreed time, thus giving the wolves – who pretend that they thought the sheep would do them harm – a reason for attack. They devour the sheep. Moral: Never trust the false.

Motif References:

K 191 Peace between sheep and wolves
M 201.6 Covenant confirmed by hostages
M 205 Breaking of bargains and promises
B 260.1 Two groups of animals make peace treaty
B 262 War between domestic and wild animals
P 559 (Li) Peace: making and conditions of peace (ransom, reparations, submission)
K 2010.3 Wolves sign false truce with sheep
J 2137 Death through lack of foresight
K 2295 Treacherous animals

GvMFa-54: “The axe and the trees”: A smith made a new axe and asks the trees (alder, fir, beech, maple, willow, lime) where he could find a handle. The oak sends him to the elected king of trees, the hawthorn, who sends him to the maple. That one furnishes the handle. The smith fells the maple itself, then other trees and finally wounds the oak. The asp, whom the oak tells about the events, says that this is their own fault. Moral: It is your own fault if you help your enemy.

Motif References:

U 162 Tree cut down with axe for which it has furnished a handle
J 2137 Death through lack of foresight

GvMFa-55: “The wolf and the dog”: A wolf meets a well-fed dog who tells him about his master’s generosity. As the wolf says he wants to live like the dog for one year that one offers to introduce him to his master. But when the wolf perceives the spiked collar around the dog’s neck and learns that he was often beaten to learn discipline and to chase away thieves and the wolf, he refuses: prefers liberty and hunger. Moral: The bad one prefers living in miserable conditions to striving for higher ends.

Motif References:

J 211 Choice: free poverty or enslaved wealth
L 451.3 Wolf prefers liberty and hunger to dog’s servitude and plenty

GvMFa-56: “The wolf and the hedgehog” (Esop as source): Covenant of friendship between wolf and hedgehog: They swear to support each other at any time. One day, they abduct a sheep, and the wolf makes an attempt to escape into the woods with it. The hedgehog, seeing the dogs approach, holds him back, asking for a last kiss. When the wolf bends to kiss him, he clings to his snout, pricking him, and lets himself be carried away. So, they both escape into the woods. The hedgehog leaves the sheep to the wolf. Moral: Deceiver deceived.

Motif References:

M 246.1 Covenant of friendship between animals
P 311.5 Covenant of friendship
J 620 Forethought in prevention of other’s plans
K 2021 Betrayal by a kiss
K 2297 Treacherous friend

GvMFa-57: “A man and his ox”: An ox is beaten by his master. When he complains about this treatment, as he has always been a good servant, and refuses to carry the dung, the man tells him to move on, as it is also his own dung. Moral: The ox resembles the one who refuses to be blamed for his own faults.

Motif References:

J 950 Presumption of the lowly

GvMFa-58: “Two wolves at the harvest”: Two wolves want to help during the harvest to broach people’s prejudices against them. But people do not trust them. Moral: The one who was once untrustworthy will never be trusted. He can not change his nature.

Motif References:

J 512 Animal should not try to change his nature

GvMFa-59: “The wolf and the fox”: Wolf and fox come to their lord, the lion, for settlement of their quarrel. The lion tells them that the wolf’s lies and the fox’s falsehood are mightier than the truth. He has counsel with those who think that they deserve equal treatment. Moral: No one believes untrustworthy people.

Motif References:

B 240.4 Lion as king of animals
B 270.1 Lawsuit between animals [Th.: Lawsuit between the owl and kite]
J 1179 Clever judicial decisions – miscellaneous
K 2295 Treacherous animals

GvMFa-60: “The kid and the wolf” (source: Esop): When leaving the house, a goat admonishes her kid not to open the door to anyone. A wolf overhearing this imitates the goat’s voice to entice the kid out of the stable. But the kid follows its mother’s advice, and peers through a chink: recognizes the wolf. Moral: Always follow the advice of the old.

Motif References:

W 31 Obedience
H 79 Recognition by physical attributes – miscellaneous
J 144 Well-trained kid does not open to wolf
J 640 Avoidance of others’ power
K 1832 Disguise by changing voice
K 2061.4 Wolf [lion, fox] tries to entice goat [pigeon] down from high place [out of stable]

GvMFa-61: “The painter and his wife”: The wife of an ambitious painter imitates him: she sews everything he paints. When he punishes her for this, she retorts that her sewing would be better if his paintings were better. Moral: You had better look at yourself before accusing someone else.

Motif References:

P 482 Painter (artist)
J 1540 Retorts between husband and wife

GvMFa-62: “The hind and her fawn”: The hind and her fawn watch a hunter with arrow and bow. He descends from his horse and hides. The fawn misunderstands this as a sign of fear, but his mother warns him against bow and arrow: tells him to flee when the bow is bent. Moral: Better to be safe than sorry.

Motif References:

J 641 Escaping before enemy can strike

GvMFa-63: “The sick harrier”: A sick harrier begs his mother to pray to the idol in the temple for his recovery. The mother refuses: He can not expect help as they always soiled the temple. Moral: It is foolish to expect help from one who has been treated badly.

Motif References:

U 236 False repentance of the sick

GvMFa-64: “The obstinate wife”: Quarrel between a man and his wife about how a meadow has been mown. The man says that it has been done with a scythe; his wife says that it has been done with a pair of scissors. She insists on this point of view even after he has knocked her down, beaten her with his fists, stuffed her mouth with wood, drawn out her tongue. After he has cut off her tongue, she makes the motion of shearing with scissors with her fingers. Moral: There is no use trying to subdue a woman’s stubbornness.

Motif References:

S 62 Cruel husband
S 163 Mutilation: cutting (tearing) out tongue
W 167 Stubbornness
T 255.1 The obstinate wife: cutting with knife [scythe] or scissors

GvMFa-65: “The death of the obstinate wife”: A man and his servants construct a dam. The master sends one of his men to his wife for food but advises him not to tell her that it is also for him, as she would not give anything to him. She eats with the servants; her husband does not get anything. One day, she teases him and moves away from him farther and farther, until she falls into the river and drowns. Her husband advises the men to search for her upstream, as she will be quarrelsome in death as well. Moral: A shrewish wife can drive away the man.

Motif References:

W 167 Stubbornness
T 255.2 The obstinate wife sought for up-stream

GvMFa-66: “The wolf as king of animals”: The lion as king of animals has court to decide on who shall be king during his absence. He proposes the wolf, but leaves the choice to his people. They accept him, as he is a good counselor but unfortunately driven by ill will. He has to swear not to kill the sick, not to eat meat and not to get near sheep-stables. The wolf swears, as he wants to get to power. The lion leaves. One day, the wolf craves for game and invents a ruse: Asks first a hind if his breath smells bad, and has her judged and condemned to death because of treason when she affirms; then he asks a doe who says that his breath smells good and has it condemned to death because of lying. Finally, he puts the same question to an ape that refuses to give an answer. So he pretends a sickness that can only be cured by ape’s meat. The ape is killed as well. Moral: It does not matter if you keep silence or not: everything is wrong.

Motif References:

U 30 Rights of the strong
P 50.0.1 King and vassals: obligations of vassals to king [Feudality: mutual relationship between king and vassals]
M 108 Violators of oaths
M 150 Other vows and oaths
P 193 (Bm) Guardian [regent]
B 236 Animal parliament elects king
B 240.4 Lion as king of animals
B 240.10 Wolf as king of animals
K 960 Other fatal deceits
K 2246.1 Treacherous king

GvMFa-67: “The wolf and the shepherd”: A wolf flees from the hunters and asks a shepherd to hide him; promises never to do him any harm. The shepherd tells him to hide behind a bush and misdirects the hunter by pointing into the wrong direction, but never leaves the wolf out of his eyes. When he asks the wolf for reward, that one tells him that his hand that showed the wrong direction would deserve a reward but not his eyes that betrayed him! Moral: Many men promise good and do bad.

Motif References:

P 412 Shepherd
N 841 Shepherd as helper
K 2315 Peasant betrays fox by pointing

GvMFa-68: “The dissatisfied peacock”: Peacock complains to God about his ugly voice, as he is mocked by all the other birds. God explains to him that everyone has his own position and responsibility in the order of nature. Moral: There is nothing unreasonable in the order of nature. Lucky the one who is satisfied with what he has.

Motif References:

W 128.4 Peacock dissatisfied with his voice
A 2423.1.2 Peacock’s ugly voice

GvMFa-69: “The young birds and the trapper”: Young birds believe the trapper to be a good man as he sows grain and sheds tears. An old bird explains that he only does this to attract their attention, so that they approach and can be trapped. He advises to flee. The other old birds follow him; the young ones take a close look at the net and get caught in the trapper’s sack. Moral: Always follow the advice of the old!

Motif References:

J 652 Inattention to warnings
K 730 Victim trapped

GvMFa-70: “The ape as king”: An ape living at a king’s court, as it is a custom, steals from his master and hides the booty in the woods, where he convenes a troop of other apes. He puts on the king’s clothes and is chosen king by them. He installs a whole court with dukes, counts etc. One day, two visitors arrive: One always tells the truth, the other one is a liar. The king of apes asks them which impression they have about him. The liar praises him as king and gets seven pounds as reward; the other one thinks that the truth will bring him higher reward: says that he is an ape. He is beaten, his hair is tousled, gets scratched and bitten, his clothes are torn, but he is too strong to be defeated. Moral: Lie and truth do not get on together. You have to expect to be beaten when telling the truth.

Motif References:

W 24 Man speaks no evil [lie]
Q 80 Rewards for other causes
W 110 Unfavorable traits of character – personal
Q 111 Riches as reward
B 221.1 Kingdom of monkeys
B 241.2.2 King of monkeys
J 267 Choice between flattering lies and unflattering truths
K 300 Thefts and cheats – general
Q 380 Deeds punished – miscellaneous
Q 470 Humiliating punishments
Q 488 Cutting [tousling] hair as punishment
J 551 Intemperate zeal in truth-telling
J 815.1 Liar rewarded by the apes

GvMFa-71: “The ass and the lion”: An ass greets a lion with the words “Welcome, my brother”. The lion objects, as they do not have the same mother. Ass brags with his ability to put to flight all the other animals; leads the lion on top of a hill for demonstration. The animals there welcome the lion in a friendly way but flee when the ass starts braying. The lion says that they would not flee if they knew the ass as he, the lion, does. Moral: The one who tries to make up for his physical weakness by loudness of voice is ridiculous.

Motif References:

U 113 Big voice: little [weak] creature
K 2324.1 Ferocious animal frightened by ass braying [by unusual sound]

GvMFa-72: “The lion and the fox” (source: Esop): A lion, tired of hunting, settles down at a comfortable place. When he gets hungry, he devours the animals that come near his place. The fox that passes by refuses to approach: He says that he keeps away from the lion as the animals’ tracks go only in one direction. Moral: The one who learns from the damage others have suffered is to be praised.

Motif References:

J 644.1 Fox sees all tracks going into lion’s den but none coming out

GvMFa-73: “A man and a lion”: A man shows a befriended lion a mural painting that depicts a man tearing open a lion’s mouth. This, says the man, proves that man is mightier than the lion. The lion then takes his friend to a place where a man is executed by being fed to lions; he is devoured. Then he leads him into the woods, where they meet other lions. The man fears them. One of the lion’s sons disapproves of his presence as he assumes that the man only wants to spy out their abode. The lion defends his friend who asks for mercy and admits that the lion is stronger than man. Moral: Power has to be confirmed and proved by deeds!

Motif References:

P 310 Friendship
Q 415.4 Punishment: being fed to lions (wild beasts)
J 1454 The lion and the statue [painting]

GvMFa-74: “The cricket and the ant”: In winter, a hungry cricket asks the ant for accommodation. The ant refuses, as the cricket spent the whole summer singing, whereas the ant made provisions for the winter. What kind of support could it expect from the lazy cricket if it, the ant, was in need? Moral: The honorable and diligent does not need to beg.

Motif References:

J 711.1 Ant and lazy cricket (grasshopper)

GvMFa-75: “The snake and the man”: A man gives shelter to a snake for a whole winter. The snake refuses to leave in summer and poisons all his barrels. Moral: This is how the ungrateful act.

Motif References:

W 154 Ingratitude
P 320.1 Hospitality for a whole winter
B 776.7 Venomous serpent
K 2294 Treacherous host

GvMFa-76: “The pregnant man” (source: Esop): A man lets blood for an analysis. He asks his daughter, assumedly still a maiden, to deliver it to the physician, but she neglects her duty: a dog swallows the blood. Another girl advises the daughter to cover up the loss by letting her own blood. The doctor examines the specimen and states that the man whose blood it is must be pregnant. The man is worried. As people doubt the physician’s competence, the daughter finally admits her deed. Moral: A man’s reputation thus was restored.

Motif References:

P 424 Physician
J 1734 Layman’s ignorance of medicine
K 1858.2 Substitute specimen in blood test
J 2321 Man made to believe that he is pregnant

GvMFa-77: “The dragon and the man”: A man provides a dragon living in a crevice three times a day with milk. He gets silver and gold in return, becomes rich. The dragon refuses the man’s gratitude (he offers to become his own to repay this generosity): He is content with the man’s reliability, but warns him against being unfaithful, as he is mighty. When the man tells his wife about this conversation, she advises him to kill the dragon, as these conditions of friendship seem to be too risky (better kill him than be poor). The next time he brings him milk, the man attacks the dragon with an axe. The dragon escapes the attack and kills the man’s child. On his wife’s advice, he asks the dragon for forgiveness. The dragon accepts his offer of milk but sends him away: their friendship will never be the same, as he shows the scar of the axe-blow, and the man will always miss his child. Moral: When a friend hurts a friend, the wound heals, but the scar is always visible.

Motif References:

B 11.3 Habitat of dragon
B 11.12 Other traits of dragon
B 11.12.4 Dragon is fond of milk
Q 45 Hospitality rewarded
Q 111 Riches as reward
Q 211.8 Punishment for desire to murder
P 310 Friendship
Q 411.3 Death of father (son, etc.) as punishment
K 2297 Treacherous friend

GvMFa-78: “The mule looks out for a wife”: A mule looking out for a wife asks first the sun, as the highest being, for her daughter’s hand. She sends him to the cloud that is more powerful, as it is able to take away her light. The cloud tells the mule to ask the wind who is able to split a cloud in 1000 pieces. But the wind says that a wall is able to withstand him. The wall says that the mouse can do serious damage to it. The mule decides to marry the mouse though this is against nature. Moral: The overweening has in the end to be content with something inferior.

Motif References:

Z 42 Stronger and Strongest
T 69 Wooing – miscellaneous motifs
W 187 Insolence [Self-conceit]
L 392 Mouse stronger than wall, wind, mountain
J 414 Marriage with equal or with unequal
L 420 Overweening ambition punished
J 950 Presumption of the lowly
H 1381.3.1 Quest for bride

GvMFa-79: “The dung beetle and the eagle”: A dung beetle watches an eagle fly highest among the birds. He says that he does not understand the birds’ despise (they say dung beetles are neither worm not bird) for them, as both their kind have wings. For him, the only difference is that birds fly high in the sky, whereas his kind lives in the dung. He makes an attempt to fly, but has to return to earth soon (as it is his nature). He does not find his dung heap again. He says that he does not care what he is, only fears the crow’s mockery when they find that he died from hunger. Moral: The overambitious often do not achieve their aim and even lose the little they had.

Motif References:

U 129 Nature will show itself – miscellaneous
W 187 Insolence [Self-conceit]
B 242.1.1 Eagle king of birds
L 420 Overweening ambition punished
J 950 Presumption of the lowly

GvMFa-80: “The boar and the ass”: An ass refuses to make way for a boar at a defile. When the boar steps aside, the ass lashes out and hits his head, then beats him again and again. The boar does not take revenge, as he knows that he is stronger: this would be against his honor. Moral: It is a virtue not to be revengeful; there is no sense in accomplishing something that does not increase your honor.

Motif References:

W 45 Honor
W 187 Insolence [Self-conceit]
J 950 Presumption of the lowly

GvMFa-81: “The pigs and the hedgehog”: A hedgehog asks pigs that are held in the woods and fattened on beechnuts for refuge: he pretends to be of their kind. But when butchers come to slaughter the pigs, he points out that he is a hedgehog and therefore has to be spared; the spittle streaming out of his snout is his main distinguishing mark. Moral: There are many opportunistic people.

Motif References:

H 79 Recognition by physical attributes – miscellaneous
W 175 Changeableness
R 310 Refuges
K 2295 Treacherous animals

GvMFa-82: “The wolf and the hedgehog”: Friendship between hedgehog and wolf. One day, the wolf gets trapped in a pit. The hedgehog refuses to help him: it seems to him that this is the punishment the saints imposed on the wolf for breaking his promise not to eat meat and not to devour sick animals. The hedgehog says that he would like to help him, but not against the saints’ will. Moral: Good friends are rare.

Motif References:

P 310 Friendship
J 401 Scarcity of real friends
K 2297 Treacherous friend

GvMFa-83: “A shepherd and his sheep”: A shepherd wants to make profit and kills one of his rams. As the others make no attempt to protest against this, he continues slaughtering them. The sheep who watch this finally decide to offer resistance. When the shepherd learns about this, he kills all rams except for one who says that this was exactly what they should have prevented. Moral: This happens to those who watch other people’s damage and do not defend themselves.

Motif References:

P 412 Shepherd
J 2183 Disastrous hesitation

GvMFa-84: “The reading wolf”: A cleric (priest) has tamed a wolf and wants to teach him the alphabet. The wolf manages to say “A”, “Be” and “Ce” but not to pronounce them all in connection. He says that he has to say “lamb” due to his nature. The priest says that nature can not be betrayed: the mouth utters what lies in the heart. Moral: The tongue betrays what is concealed in the heart. Neither the long nor the short “credo” could prevent a wolf from craving for lamb.

Motif References:

U 129 Nature will show itself – miscellaneous
B 211.2.4 Speaking wolf
P 426.1 Parson (priest)
B 771 Wild animal miraculously tamed

GvMFa-85: “The wolf and the ferryman”: A wolf asks a ferryman to cross him over a brook and promises him everlasting friendship. The ferryman demands three teachings as reward. The first the wolf tells him is that virtuous people are praised by God and man; the second: a good man receives good deeds with gratitude. When they reach the shore, the wolf jumps off the boat and utters the third teaching: anything good done to a bad person is lost and never rewarded. He grips the ferryman’s goose and escapes. Moral: Good deeds are lost on bad people.

Motif References:

J 21.52 Counsels proved wise by experience – miscellaneous
Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
J 130 Wisdom (knowledge) acquired from animals
Q 190 Rewards – miscellaneous
P 413 Ferryman [fisherman]
K 2295 Treacherous animals

GvMFa-86: “The snake and the rasp”: A snake bites into a rasp until it starts bleeding, but does not stop as it believes it is the rasp’s blood. Finally the rasp informs the snake about the real circumstances. Moral: Futility of fighting someone who is superior – you only do harm to yourself.

Motif References:

J 1706 Stupid animals
J 1771 Object thought to be animal [man]

GvMFa-87: “The dissatisfied hare”: A hare complains about his defenselessness against other animals. So, God imparts a stag’s antlers to him. The hare is very proud, but soon discovers that the antlers handicap him on his flight. He wants to depend only on his legs for escape (due to his nature). Moral: Those who are not able to handle power and glory often perish.

Motif References:

W 128 Dissatisfaction
V 201 God
J 512 Animal should not try to change his nature
F 989 Extraordinary occurrences concerning animals – miscellaneous

GvMFa-88: “The wolf and the pigeon”: A wolf asks a pigeon why she spends so much time on collecting brushwood to build a nest that is just big enough to give shelter to a mouse. The pigeon retorts that though the wolf robs sheep and cattle, neither he nor his children are properly dressed. Moral: This story is for the robbers and greedy people: neither they nor their kin prosper, though they spend the whole day robbing.

Motif References:

J 1440 Repartee – miscellaneous

GvMFa-89: “The cat and the fox”: Fox wants to make friends with the cat, wants to go a-hunting together, as they are of one kin. They become sworn brethren. When the cat asks the fox how he is able to help her in danger, he boasts about knowing many tricks and disposing of a sack of special tricks in cases of high danger. The cat points out that their abilities are not equally distributed and ask him to forgive her in case she flees in danger. So, when a man with two greyhounds approaches, the fox flees into a thorn bush, the cat on top of it. She asks him about his secret sack, but the fox has to stay stuck in the bush, whereas the cat escapes. Moral: It is better to have one useful skill and to know how to use it than to have many and not use one.

Motif References:

P 311 Sworn brethren
J 410 Association of equals and unequals
L 460 Pride brought low – miscellaneous
J 1662 The cat’s only trick

GvMFa-90: “The tom-cat as bishop”: The lion sends out one of his kin, a tom-cat, with crown and staff as bishop. He is seated on the oven in a bake house and elected for bishop by more than 500 cats. As it is unworthy of a bishop to hunt down his food, they hunt mice for him. Then, they make an attempt to subject also the rats. Those refuse: they prefer staying heathens to being registered in the cats’ book [parody on Buch der Seligen]. They curse the tom-cat. Once, perceiving a mouse, the tom-cat jumps from his throne, loses crown and staff but catches it. He is deposed due to written law because of unworthy behavior. The cats deplore that they have elected him, as he has not been born to rule; they are dishonored. Moral: Bad behavior does not bring success. Learn from the rat how to elect a ruler.

Motif References:

P 122 (Bm) Archbishop and bishop
U 129 Nature will show itself – miscellaneous
Z 150 Other symbols
B 252 Animal churchmen
V 335 (Bm) Refusal to change religion
J 512 Animal should not try to change his nature

GvMFa-91: “A woman and a hen”: A woman is very fond of a hen (she knows where she lays her eggs) and offers her a bushel of wheat as reward if she refrains from searching and scratching. The hen retorts that this lies in the nature of hens, is their habit. Moral: Inventions of nature are useful; there is no room for greed.

Motif References:

U 139 Power of habit – miscellaneous
J 512 Animal should not try to change his nature
A 2477.2 Why hen scratches in ground

GvMFa-92: “The wolf and the fox” (source: Esop): Wolf and fox quarrel: Each of them accuses the other one of the things he himself commits. They ask the ape to be their judge. That one refuses, as they are in need of a stronger mediator, and sends them to the king of animals, the lion. They refuse him, as they would be ready to accept the ape’s award, but not the lion’s judgment, as they only live in accordance with their own law. The ape requires from the wolf to vow to refrain from devouring cattle, from the fox to leave alone the hens. So, they would not be able to reproach each other. But as neither wolf nor fox want to give up their habit of stealing, they forgive each other and take up their former way of living. Moral: Thieves and robbers always find a way to make peace.

Motif References:

M 50 Other judgments and decrees
U 138 Habit of dishonesty (thievery) cannot be broken
J 218 Enemies make peace rather than slay each other [pursue each other by law]
B 240.4 Lion as king of animals
B 270.1 Lawsuit between animals [Th.: Lawsuit between the owl and kite]
B 274 Animal as judge

GvMFa-93: “The trees elect a king”: Trees have court to elect a king. The noble trees, the fir, the lime, the beech, refuse, as well as the nut-tree: He reasons that though he grows high, he only bears fruit when he is felled. It is inappropriate that a king is cut down by his subjects. The trees decide to choose the hawthorn which is sharp, hard, and strong and resists the winds. At this moment, the broom, accompanied by many unknown shrubs and bushes, raises his voice: Not beauty and height should be the determining factors of a king, but his ability to admit his weaknesses, his truthfulness, mercy and incorruptibility. He, the broom, is provided with these virtues. The other trees refuse, as he is not a real tree and used by the peasants to bolt their fences. The broom curses the trees: They shall not bear fruit in his vicinity even if he himself burns. He leaves. The hawthorn is elected king. Moral: The broom is an example of the self-conceited who damage communal property to strengthen their position.

Motif References:

P 11.0.2 Choice of king of trees
W 187 Insolence [Self-conceit]
L 420 Overweening ambition punished
M 470 Curses on objects or animals [plants, trees]
F 811 Extraordinary tree
J 956 Ambitious branch chosen king of trees [Ambitious broom stands for king of trees]
F 979 Extraordinary behavior of trees and plants – miscellaneous

GvMFa-94: “The lion and the bears”: A lion has three sons. As his wife died long ago, he entrusts his lands to his eldest son and leaves to search for a new wife. As the son wants to prevent his father from demanding back the country after his return, he secures his claim by a marriage, supported by his brothers and kinsfolk: he marries a bear. Meanwhile, the father has married as well and returns. When learning about his son’s deed, he has council with the animals how to prevent expellation. The fox invents a ruse: Prepare a trap (covered with honey-smeared straw), then challenge the bears to a fight and entice them into falling into the trap by pretended flight. Fight between father and sons (who ride on bears) begins. When the bears smell the honey, they get trapped. The old lion punishes them and their sons. Moral: Do not trust anybody, not even your kin.

Motif References:

T 121 Unequal marriage
P 193 (Bm) Guardian [regent]
P 236.4 Son deposes father and usurps throne
Q 262 Impostor punished
B 263.8 War between lion and other animals
K 735 Capture in pitfall
K 2214.3 Treacherous son (leads revolt against his father to whom he owes all)

GvMFa-95: “The quarrel between the limbs” (source: Esop): Hands and feet feel neglected by head and body and therefore refuse to work. So, the belly gets hungry. This affects the head that gets ill in his turn – the whole body breaks down. The doctor comes too late. Moral: Cursed be the one who does not appreciate those who supply the body.

Motif References:

J 461.1 The belly and the members
A 1391 Why other members must serve the belly

GvMFa-96: “The pregnant thief”: A dung beetle makes a thief give up stealing: He finds the thief sleeping on straw and crawls into his naked bottom. The thief is in pain and has his bottom examined by doctors. They say that he is with child. People come from far to see the miracle. Finally, the dung beetle gets tired and creeps out of the thief’s body the way he entered it. Moral: People are often curious for new things that are not true at all.

Motif References:

B 766 Fanciful dangers from animals
J 2321 Man made to believe that he is pregnant

GvMFa-97: “The deceived husband” (source: Esop): A man finds his wife and another man asleep in his bed. When he asks her about this, she mocks him and says that his eyes deceived him: he saw two persons instead of one. To bolster her assumption, she makes him look into a body of water, asking him if he sees the strange man. As he sees only himself and his wife reflected he believes her. Moral: Shameless women often fool their husbands. Wise is the one who has never been betrayed by a woman.

Motif References:

T 481 Adultery
J 1540 Retorts between husband and wife
K 1549 Adulteress outwits husband – miscellaneous
J 2301 Gullible husbands
J 2349 Nature of gullibility – miscellaneous

GvMFa-98: “The deceived husband”: A woman has a tryst with a page in the woods. Suddenly, the page perceives her husband with sword and spear. As the man is in the right and he therefore can not fight him, the page retreats. The woman greets her husband with joyful gestures. When he asks her about the man he saw her with, she pretends astonishment and exclaims that it must have been Death. The same happened to her parents shortly before they died. She asks him to send for his friends to divorce them in accordance with the law. She wants to become a hermit and offers to leave house and lands to him. She contributed more than he to the marriage and wants to take with her the money he got for her entertainment to use for donations. Thus, the husband who does not know what to do without wife nor money denies having seen anyone: she will live long and should stay with him. Moral: It is an old saying: the one who washes bricks and who watches over his wife is mocked.

Motif References:

T 481 Adultery
J 1540 Retorts between husband and wife
K 1549 Adulteress outwits husband – miscellaneous
J 2301 Gullible husbands
J 2349.2 Wife makes husband believe that her paramour is Death

GvMFa-99: “The peasant as physician” (source: Esop): A peasant often beats his shrewish wife. After a violent quarrel (she has not cooked for him and does not show respect, so he hits her in the face, she bites his leg), she tells the king’s messengers searching for a physician for the king’s daughter who has been rendered speechless by an ulcer in her throat, that her husband is a doctor, but that he only works well if he is beaten. They follow her advice. He cures the king’s daughter: makes her laugh with a game with a horse-hair and jokes; the ulcer breaks, she is able to speak again. He gets horses, garments, silver and gold as reward. The king sends all the sick of his country to him. They assemble on a field and the peasant divides them into two groups: the extremely ill shall be singed like cattle, the others be fed on a remedy. The lame throw away their crutches and the blind flee. The king and his nobles say he has become a nobleman. Moral: Something good often results from a plan with bad intention.

Motif References:

S 62 Cruel husband
Q 94 Reward for cure
Q 111 Riches as reward
L 113.4 Peasant as hero
T 251 The shrewish wife
P 411 Peasant
H 916.1.1 Malicious wife reports that her husband is a famous doctor: he is commanded to cure the princess
F 954 Dumb person brought to speak [cut-out tongue miraculously restored]
J 1115.6 Clever peasant
K 1955 Sham physician
K 1955.1 Sham physician cures people by threatening them with death
K 2213 Treacherous wife

GvMFa-100: “The one-eyed as judge”: A man wants to sell a horse at the market for one mark. A merchant objects, as this seems too expensive; he offers to buy the horse for a discount of a third of the sum, at instant payment. He suggests that the man they meet first should estimate the horse’s value and act as a judge. They agree upon this by an oath. The first man they ask is one-eyed. He estimates the horse’s value at half a mark. The seller objects: the one-eyed has only seen half the horse. Moral: Never ask unknown persons to estimate your goods.

Motif References:

X 122 One-eyed man as appraiser of horse
M 150 Other vows and oaths

GvMFa-101: “The thief and the devil”: The devil wakes a thief from his sleep. As he has always served him well, he promises to protect him from his pursuers and to help him even in law court. He shall not spare rich or poor, churches or hermitages. He will always be lucky in dice-games and become very rich. The thief follows the devil’s advice. One day, he is caught. The devil visits him in prison and promises help. When the thief is about to be hanged, the devil appears again and mocks him: the hangmen will take care of him, this is his reward! The thief is hanged. Moral: This happens to those who believe the devil.

Motif References:

Q 212 Theft punished
M 212.2 Devil at gallows repudiates his bargain with robber
M 212 Devil agrees to help man with robberies
G 303.6.2.15 Devil appears when person steals [appears to thief]
Q 413.1 Hanging as punishment for theft
P 475 Robber [thief, outlaw, pirate]
K 2010 Hypocrite pretends friendship but attacks

GvMFa-102: “The wolf and the ram”: The wolf decides to atone for what he has done to men: He swears to resign from eating meat and to live on cheese and bread which he wants to earn by guarding sheep. He wants to die if he breaks his vow. But as no one wants to employ him, he stays hungry. At a pond, where he wanted to catch fish, he meets a stray ram. He wrestles with himself if he should break his vow. He finds excuses: the ram would die anyway; his father said that a ram is better than a salmon; fish should be cooked; also rams break their vows; no one heard him do his vow. He finally devours the ram for a salmon as he vowed it. Moral: Never believe a wolf’s oath.

Motif References:

U 30 Rights of the strong
M 108 Violators of oaths
M 150 Other vows and oaths

GvMFa-103: “The ape and her child”: An ape immoderately praises her child. The other animals mock her. She asks the lion as king of animals to praise her child as well. The lion answers that it would be worth to be praised in case it had a crooked tail. As it is, it resembles the image of the devil as it is painted on linen. Also the fox praises the tail of his child. The ape is sad and asks the bear, who also mocks her immoderate love for her child: Pretends that he wants to kiss the infant, but devours it instead; he says that there is no uglier animal on earth. Moral: The one who desires to be praised often receives false praise.

Motif References:

S 139 Miscellaneous cruel murders
P 231.3 Mother-love
B 240.4 Lion as king of animals
L 430 Arrogance repaid
K 815 Victim lured by kind words approaches trickster and is killed
J 950 Presumption of the lowly
K 2021 Betrayal by a kiss

GvMFa-104: “The man and the dragon”: A man is at friendly terms with a dragon that guards a treasure (always sits on it). When the dragon has to leave the country in order to take care of another treasure, he entrusts the treasure to the man. In case he dies, his friend will be its possessor. The man swears loyalty. The dragon gives him also an egg which is to be treated as carefully as the treasure, as he, the dragon, will die in case the egg is destroyed. The man swears again an oath, but as soon as the dragon has flown away, he attempts to kill the dragon and breaks the egg. The dragon returns: he finds the egg destroyed, his friend has not passed the test of loyalty. The dragon chases him away. Moral: Always test whom you trust.

Motif References:

B 11.6.2 Dragon guards treasure
M 108 Violators of oaths
M 150 Other vows and oaths
P 310 Friendship
C 544 Tabu: crushing eggs
N 570 Guardian of treasure
H 1558 Tests of friendship
K 2297 Treacherous friend

GvMFa-105: “The curious serf”: A hermit tests his serf’s honesty and curiosity: He tells him that he has to go to the next town and entrusts his household to him: he may use and do anything he wants, except for one thing: He must not lift a certain barrel (he will come to harm if he does). The man is too curious: he lifts the barrel wherefrom a mouse escapes. When the hermit returns and asks for the barrel which contained a treasure, as he says, the serf admits his deed and says that he has been betrayed by a mouse. He asks his master for forgiveness. Moral: A wise man always has to test his servant’s honesty and fidelity. The one who is loyal in small things will also be in great affairs.

Motif References:

W 137 Curiosity
C 624 Forbidden barrel
H 1554.1 Test of curiosity: mouse in the jug

GvMFa-106: “The robbed peasant”: A peasant owning one horse prays to God for a second one so to be able to plow, sow and mow. When his only horse is stolen, he prays to get it back, says that he would be content with it. Moral: Man desires much from God, but only receives what God grants him. Then he is satisfied with it.

Motif References:

J 346 Better be content with what you have than try to get more and lose everything

GvMFa-107: “The selfish prayer”: In church, a man prays only for his family’s well-being. Another man who overhears this prays that God may damn this selfish man who does not pray for mankind in general, but only for his own welfare. Moral: One should pray for the other, praying only for oneself is impure.

Motif References:

V 50 Prayer
W 150 Unfavorable traits of character – social

GvMFa-108: “The law suit about the dead bird”: A man owns a bird that is able to speak, sing and listen. The bird is killed. Law suit follows. The offender comes to law court; he has the bloody hide of a ram underneath his cloak, a sign that is recognized by the judge. He asks of the plaintiff to give exact information about the bird’s singing and speaking. As the man is not able to do this, the judge decides that the bird was not worth much alive, therefore his death does not harm anyone. Moral: In law court, the one who is well-prepared has success. The judge who was betrayed by the hide should be punished.

Motif References:

M 90 Judgments and decrees – miscellaneous motifs
Z 150 Other symbols
P 421 Judge
P 510 Law courts
J 1154 Witness discredited by inability to tell details
J 1212 Judge put out of countenance

GvMFa-109: “The three wishes”: A man catches a dwarf in the mountains. In order to be released, the dwarf grants him three wishes. The man’s wife asks for two of those. One day, during a meal, she uses the first: she wants her husband to grow a beak of steel (so that he can get at the marrow of the bones she likes so much more easily). This happens. The second wish is used by the man to get back his former appearance. Moral: The man who knows how to cope with good fortune is wise. Always be your wife’s master.

Motif References:

Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
M 242 Bargains and promises between mortals and supernatural beings
F 451.5 Dwarfs and human beings
D 521 Transformation through wish
J 2075 The transferred wish

GvMFa-110: “The greedy fox”: Fox takes the reflection of the moon in a brook for a cheese. Greedily, he tries to drink the brook dry to get hold of it and swallows so much water that he dies. Moral: The greedy one desires worldly goods for all his life. The one who despises the value of life for worldly goods loses life.

Motif References:

W 151 Greed
J 1791.3.1 Wolf [fox] tries to drink well [brook] dry to get cheese

GvMFa-111: “The wolf and the raven”: A wolf perceiving a raven sitting on a ram gets jealous: grumbles that it would cause a tumult if he did this. Moral: The spiteful bears grudge against the good that people do each other. He cannot bear that another one is praised more than he is.

Motif References:

W 181 Jealousy

GvMFa-112: “The cock and the fox”: The fox flatters the cock: praises his beauty and his singing; also his father had such a beautiful voice, but he always sang with his eyes closed. The cock falls for this false praise. When he closes his eyes and starts singing, the fox grips him and carries him off. The herdsmen pursue him with their hounds, leaving their cattle unguarded. The cock dupes the fox into talking and manages to escape when he opens his mouth. The fox laments having talked. The cock retorts that he has been caught by a lie and escaped by a ruse. He sends the fox away so that he does not get caught by the herdsmen. Moral: Wise men avenge deceit by deceit. False praise is often deceitful, says Cato.

Motif References:

W 11.5 Generosity toward enemy
K 561.1 Animal captor persuaded to talk and release victim from his mouth
K 721 Cock persuaded to crow with closed eyes

GvMFa-113: “The fox and the pigeon”: The fox tries to entice a pigeon sitting on a cross to come down to him. The pigeon refuses, as she does not trust him. The fox tells her that she is safe, as he has made a peace treaty with the other animals in the presence of the emperor. Therefore, the pigeon is safe. But when the pigeon tells him that there are hounds and hunters nearby, the fox is alarmed. This is proof for the pigeon that there is no peace treaty with the other animals. The fox retorts that the hounds were not included in the treaty. He is killed by the hounds. Moral: Never trust your enemy, not even if he promises peace.

Motif References:

J 620 Forethought in prevention of other’s plans
J 1421 Peace among the animals
K 2061.4 Wolf [lion, fox] tries to entice goat [pigeon] down from high place [out of stable]

GvMFa-114: “The goshawk and the pigeons”: Eagle as king of birds; the goshawk is his bailiff and retainer. One day, they both sit on an oak-tree, the goshawk below the eagle. He watches some pigeons who do not realize the presence of the two. The goshawk deplores that he is the eagle’s subject: he would play another game with the pigeons that thus would not ignore his presence anymore! Moral: Many want to be a tyrant over the poor. It is good that the bailiff is subject to his master.

Motif References:

W 150 Unfavorable traits of character – social
B 242.1.1 Eagle king of birds

GvMFa-115: “The war between the beetles and the animals”: A beetle crawls into a wolf’s bottom. The wolf is scared to death because of the strange itching. When he watches the beetle crawl out again, he insults him and says that he would torment him if he did not fear that he might crawl into his throat. The wolf leaves, but does not dare to turn his back to the beetle. The beetle challenges him to combat to take place in a circle. Conditions: The defeated will be the victor’s subject for the time to come. The wolf agrees. Both summon their people: the beetle different kinds of insects, the wolf other quadrupeds.

Motif References:

B 263 War between other groups of animals
P 548 Miscellaneous legal customs [problems]
P 550.1 (Li) Battle. War
P 556 Challenge to battle
B 766 Fanciful dangers from animals

GvMFa-115: Armies meet on the appointed day. The beetle offers pay to his warriors. Both army leaders arrange battle formation. The wolf warns his warriors against the military strategy the insects will presumably employ: creep into their bottoms. Tells them not to lift their tails (as many of them do when in fear) and advises them to bind a cabbage leaf before their bottom-holes. Other warnings and advices: sheep and goats have the custom to flee all together in case one of them flees. Cows and oxen have the custom to lift their tails in case a horse-fly approaches. Apes do not have a tail, but should cover their bottom with one hand and fight with the other. He appoints the stag as standard-bearer and leader of the army. He himself will lead the rearguard. The stag objects: The wolf as the initiator of the war should fight at his side. So, everyone gets armed and covers his bottom hole with boards, etc.

Motif References:

P 550 Military affairs
P 552 Battle formations
J 672 Defences by strengthening one’s own weakest spots
K 2351.5.2 (Bm) Horse’s ears stuffed with wax so that battle horns will not frighten them

GvMFa-115: Battle begins with the sound of trumpets and trombones. Insects attack the stag’s snout – he loses the banner and breaks a wind which tears the felt he used to cover his bottom hole and flees. The banner falls down. Other animals flee as well, as the wolf says that the flight of the standard-bearer legitimates the flight of the army. So, the beetles are victorious. Moral: Victory does not depend on strength. In case a prince flees, the army flees as well.

Motif References:

R 220 Flights
L 315 Small animal overcomes large
P 555 Defeat in battle [single combat]
P 557 Military customs
K 2369 Military strategy – miscellaneous

GvMFa-116: “The bald man and the fly”: A fly molests a bald man, stings him; when he aims at it, it escapes. Finally kills it when it is not quick enough. Moral: The onerous fly symbolizes the villain who is nevertheless defeated in the end.

Motif References:

J 651 Inattention to danger

GvMFa-117: “The wolf and the ram”: The wolf wants to revenge himself on the ram for the many butts he had to endure as a cub. The ram asks for respite: wants to have two masses said, one for himself, the other one for the wolf. As the wolf objects (he disapproves of singing), the ram argues that his stringy flesh will be tender after mass (he will not sing the credo). He mounts a hill and starts singing. This alarms his master who approaches with hounds, serfs and weapons. The hounds attack the wolf, but the ram asks for mercy: pretends to give him the kiss of peace (as it is done after mass), but gives him a heavy butt instead. He escapes, the wolf stays. Moral: In distress, those who are trustworthy lie.

Motif References:

K 551.1.2 Respite from death until mass is said
J 670 Forethought in defences against others
K 2021 Betrayal by a kiss

GvMFa-118: “The nightingale and the goshawk” (source: Esop): When the nightingale realizes that the goshawk is about to settle down above her nest, she asks him for mercy. He agrees under the condition that she sings for him. The nightingale consents but asks him to sit down in a certain distance, as her fear of him affects her voice. Moral: The nightingale symbolizes the wise man that is able to argue with words and fears the one who is above him.

Motif References:

J 640 Avoidance of others’ power
J 829 Dealing with the great – miscellaneous

GvMFa-119: “The shepherds and the wolves”: Peace treaty between the wolves and the sheep-dogs (man acted as mediator): the shepherds do not have to fear for their livestock. But the wolves ask for the dogs as hostages and security. Shepherds agree, but only for a year. After the expiration of this period, the wolves menace them even more ferociously. Moral: Imprudent people are unable to care for their livestock properly.

Motif References:

K 191 Peace between sheep and wolves
M 201.6 Covenant confirmed by hostages
M 205 Breaking of bargains and promises
B 260.1 Two groups of animals make peace treaty
P 559 (Li) Peace: making and conditions of peace (ransom, reparations, submission)
K 2010.3 Wolves sign false truce with sheep
J 2172 Short-sightedness in caring for live-stock

GvMFa-120: “The raven in the peacock’s feathers”: A raven disguises himself with a peacock’s feathers. He joins the peacocks who realize that he is not one of them, and tear off his disguise and chase him away when seeing him devour carcass. He returns to the other ravens who mock him and say that it serves him right that his overweening ambition has been brought low. They reject him as well, as he showed despise for his own kind. Moral: The one who does not know himself is scorned everywhere.

Motif References:

Q 330 Overweening punished
L 420 Overweening ambition punished
Q 499 Other humiliating punishments
J 512 Animal should not try to change his nature
J 951.2 Jay [crow] in peacock’s skin [feathers] unmasked
K 1821 Disguise by changing bodily appearance

GvMFa-121: “The sick lion and the fox”: The sick lion summons the other animals to ask them how to treat his illness. On their advice, he sends the wolf as messenger to the clever fox that refuses to come three times. The wolf tells the lion that the fox does not acknowledge the lion’s sovereignty and advises the lion to judge it. The fox, who has overheard everything, plods along to the lion (who accuses him of breach of faith), and retorts that he has gone to Paris to find a remedy for the lion’s sickness. He read about it in the book of Hippocrates, pointing out that the lion has to believe in the effect (belief is as important as the medicine itself): The wolf should be flayed alive; the lion then wrap himself in the still warm skin. The lion thus is cured. The fox mocks the wolf, who is molested by flies (unworthy of a bailiff) and wears a grey cloak, blue gloves and shoes (asks him if this is a new order). Moral: Deceiver deceived.

Motif References:

P 50.0.2 (Bm) Knight who acknowledges no overlord [Allegiance: loyalty and disloyalty of vassals]
Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
S 166 Mutilation: skin cut from back [flaying]
B 240.4 Lion as king of animals
J 829 Dealing with the great – miscellaneous
F 959 Marvelous cures – miscellaneous
K 961.1.1 Tit for tat
J 1118 Clever bird [general: clever animals]
D 1500.1.33 Parts or products of animals cure disease
K 1610 Deceiver falls into his own trap – miscellaneous
D 2161.4.19 Methods of magic cure – miscellaneous

GvMFa-122: “The ant and the fly”: The fly mocks the ant as it has to crawl on the earth to get food. What does it do in winter? The fly itself lives in warm houses, drinks beer and wine, sits on the cheeks of the ladies, settles down in the clothes of the rich. The ant retorts that it does not suffer hunger, as it lives on left over grain. The fly is the most impure insect on earth, as everyone is its host. The ant is free and does not have to fear for its life like the fly does: In winter, it can be killed by anyone who perceives it sitting in the kitchen, whereas the ant sits in its pit safe and sound. Moral: Criminal way of life comes to light. God is just.

Motif References:

J 211 Choice: free poverty or enslaved wealth

GvMFa-123: “The ape and the fox”: The ape is invited to court. As he is ashamed to appear at court with the naked bottom his kind is born with, he asks the fox to cover his back with his beautiful tail. The fox refuses: He would not even give a bit of his tail to the ape if it was too long or too heavy; he would rather die. Moral: The fox symbolizes the rich man who had rather die than help a poor one.

Motif References:

W 152 Stinginess
J 341.1 Fox prefers to bear weight of his tail rather than give part of it to ape

GvMFa-124: “The crow and the ram”: A crow sits on the ram and pulls out wool. The ram asks him why the crow only molests him, not the dog sleeping nearby (whom the crow presumably fears). The crow retorts that he would not get wool from the dog. Moral: The wise man always knows where to make profit.

Motif References:

W 216 Thrift
J 1440 Repartee – miscellaneous

GvMFa-125: “The stag’s heart stolen”: The lion gets ill; his counselors advise to slaughter a stag whose heart the lion should eat as a medicine. This happens, but the fox steals and devours the stag’s heart. He denies this when accused of the theft and tells the lion that stags do not have hearts like the other animals: when they tried to take the heart of the stag they hunted down, they realized that it did not have a heart; the stag escaped. The lion believes him. Moral: Deceitful fox betrays the credulous.

Motif References:

K 402 The lamb [stag] without a heart
J 1289 Repartee with ruler (judge, etc.) – miscellaneous

Maere and Novellas

Gerhard von Minden, Die Fabeln (>1270) Leitzmann, A.: Die Fabeln Gerhards von Minden in mittelniederdeutscher Sprache. Halle 1898

Gerhard von Minden, Die Fabeln (>1270)
Leitzmann, A.: Die Fabeln Gerhards von Minden in mittelniederdeutscher Sprache. Halle 1898