UBEd-0: Prologue: exemplary stories are the best way to praise God's creation. The author, Boner, translated Latin fables into German in honor of Johan of Ringgenberg. The collection is called “Edelstein” (jewel), as it is useless to recognize a jewel but not its power; it is the same with those who read an exemplary story without understanding its meaning.

Motif References:

UBEd-1: “The cock and the jewel” (about ignorance): A cock finds a jewel on the dunghill while searching for food. He throws it away, as a grain of oat would serve him better. This story is meant for those short-sighted morons who scorn higher values in favor of their lower cravings.

Motif References:

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

UBEd-2: “The ape and the nut” (about insolence and pain): The ape throws away the nut, as the shell is too hard and the rind too bitter. This story is meant for those who are not apt to endure short bitterness for the gain of longer-lasting sweetness. Clerical life is compared to fire: first it emits smoke and has to be kindled so not to go out – everlasting love to God is preceded by pain (smoke).

Motif References:

J 369.2 Ape throws away nut because of its bitter rind

UBEd-3: “The hunter and the tiger” (about calumnity): A hunter shoots many animals with his crossbow out of ambush. The tiger calms the other animals, believing that there is no danger, as the hunter stays invisible for them. Suddenly he is shot into the leg by the hunter. The treacherous fox – who desires the tiger’s death – pretends pity and asks the tiger who has done this to him. The tiger does not know but advises to beware of those who shoot out of ambush. Story exemplifies the damage done by calumniators (who attack with their tongues).

Motif References:

P 414 Hunter
J 580 Wisdom of caution
K 2295 Treacherous animals
J 651 Inattention to danger

UBEd-4: “The tree on the hill” (about spiritual achievement): A beautiful tree bearing fruit stands on a hill. If man wants to taste of his fruit, he first has to eat the bitter roots. This story signifies the nature of life: First you have to prove your worth on the field of virtues before reaching the hilltop. The story is meant for those who want to make big gain without effort. Spiritual values can only be achieved by hard work.

Motif References:

F 811 Extraordinary tree
J 165 Tree of knowledge
J 369 Small inconvenience, large gain – miscellaneous

UBEd-5: “The wolf and the lamb” (about unjust power): Wolf and lamb drink from the same brook. Wolf accuses lamb of polluting the water. The lamb repudiates this unjust accusation, as the wolf is standing upstream, he himself downstream, so the wolf would be the polluter. The wolf gets furious at the contradiction, remembers the lamb’s father who dared to menace him seven years before. At another objection, the lamb is bitten dead. Story is about those who take unjust advantage of their power.

Motif References:

U 31 Wolf unjustly accuses lamb and eats him
K 2100 False accusation
J 829 Dealing with the great – miscellaneous

UBEd-6: “Frog and mouse” (about unfaithfulness and treachery): Frog promises friendship to the mouse and offers to help her cross a river: binds her to his leg with treacherous intention to drown her. The mouse defends herself when realizing the danger she is in. A harrier takes advantage of their quarrel: catches and devours them both. The biter will be bitten. Falsehood will be punished.

Motif References:

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

UBEd-7: “Dog and sheep” (about false testimony): In law-court, dog falsely accuses sheep of having stolen his food. When the sheep denies, the dog brings by false witnesses (sheep’s enemies: wolf, vulture, harrier) who plead for killing the sheep. They kill and eat it. It often happens that innocently accused are found guilty because of false testimony. Falsehood has great power.

Motif References:

K 2127 False accusation of theft [debt]
P 510 Law courts
B 270.1 Lawsuit between the owl and kite [between animals]
J 1150 Cleverness connected with the giving of evidence
U 31 Wolf unjustly accuses lamb and eats him
M 90 Judgments and decrees – miscellaneous motifs

UBEd-8: “About four animals who were mates” (about bad company): Lion, tame ox, sheep and goat swear an oath to share booty made in hunt. They hunt down a stag and divide it into four parts. The lion takes the first part, as he is the most noble; the second for his strength and skill; the third, as he contributed the most to the hunt; the fourth because of the oath of friendship. Do not mingle with other ranks! The stronger and nobler often take advantage of their inferiors.

Motif References:

M 150 Other vows and oaths
M 246.1 Covenant of friendship between animals
P 310 Friendship
J 811.1.1 Lion divides the booty
J 429 Association of strong and weak – miscellaneous
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
K 2297 Treacherous friend
P 310.8 Friendship possible only between equals
J 684.2 Foolishness of taking too strong a partner

UBEd-9: “About a dog that carried a piece [of meat]” (about exceeding greed): A dog carries a big piece of meat in his mouth; when crossing a brook, he perceives his own reflection in the water. He thinks it to be another piece of meat, stoops to pick it up and loses the one he carries as well. Security is often given up because of greed; greed is to be found everywhere, in castles and towns, in villages; as trait of character of governor, village mayor, counselor and his court ushers, of steward, judge, advocate, confidant, guard of bridge, porter, shepherd, bailiff (banwart), priest, layman, young and old, monk, nun, bishop, chaplain, abbot, provost, dean.

Motif References:

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

UBEd-10: “About the thief who marries” (about unjustified joy): At the wedding of a skillful thief, one of the guests tells a parable: The sun regrets having no children and marries; the earth fears being burnt. The sun exemplifies the thief who does much damage and therefore had better stay without children.

Motif References:

P 475 Robber [thief, outlaw]
Z 100 Symbolism
J 99 Wisdom (knowledge) taught by parable

UBEd-11: “The wolf and the crow” (about ingratitude): Gluttonous wolf devours goat so greedily that a bone remains sticking in his throat. He asks crow for help, promises 300 pounds as reward. When the crow has removed the bone, the wolf refuses payment: argues that he spared him when he had his head down his throat. Never serve the evil!

Motif References:

W 125 Gluttony
M 200 Bargains and promises
B 451.4 Helpful crow
K 231 Debtor refuses to pay his debt
W 154.3 Crane [crow] pulls bone from wolfs throat: wolf refuses payment
U 30 Rights of the strong
M 205 Breaking of bargains and promises
J 829 Dealing with the great – miscellaneous

UBEd-12: “The dog and the tracker dog” (about unfaithfulness): A gravid tracker dog who has nowhere to go begs a dog with sweet and ingratiating words for a place to give birth to her pups; dog offers his house. When he comes back, he has to realize that his house has been taken over by the dogs; he is expelled from his own house. Never trust ingratiating words!

Motif References:

K 499 Additional cheats
P 332 Selfish guest expels host
W 154 Ingratitude
K 2294 Treacherous host [guest]

UBEd-13: “About a serpent that is kept in the house” (about pernicious reward): A serpent takes shelter from winter in a house; the host even feeds the serpent. But the guest is ungrateful, spits poison around the house and even tries to poison the host. Snake symbolizes those people who have a venomous heart and reward good with evil.

Motif References:

P 320 Hospitality
B 776.7 Venomous serpent
W 154 Ingratitude
K 2294 Treacherous host [guest]

UBEd-14: “The ass and the lion” (about foolish mockery): Ass mistakes lion for a he-goat. The lion gets furious, but does not harm the ass, as he is noble and the ass a fool – fools had rather mock each other. Do not taunt the nobles, because they could avenge it. Only fools mock others.

Motif References:

J 1758.1 Tiger [lion] mistaken for goat
J 829 Dealing with the great – miscellaneous
W 11 Generosity
U 30 Rights of the strong

UBEd-15: “Town mouse and country mouse” (about freedom of the poor): Country mouse invites town mouse to her rather poor place; the town mouse invites the other one in return to the house she lives in: The cellar is full of food, but they are interrupted when the cook enters. Town mouse flees, leaving behind the other mouse, who is pursued by the cook. Field mouse escapes: prefers poverty to anxiety.

Motif References:

J 211.2 Town mouse and country mouse

UBEd-16: “The fox and the eagle” (about cunning and craftiness): Eagle abducts fox’s cubs to his nest in a tree. He does not react to fox’s requests not to kill them. Only gives up when fox piles up straw around the tree and kindles it. Wisdom is better than power and force; power without wisdom does not do any good, power combined with wisdom is good.

Motif References:

R 13.3.2 Abduction by eagle [Th.: Eagle carries off youth]
J 1118 Clever animal [Th.: Clever bird]
L 315.3 Fox burns tree in which eagle has nest
R 153.2 Father rescues children

UBEd-17: “The eagle and the snail” (about bad counsel): Eagle carries off a snail. A crow watches him and tells him that the snail-shell contains tasty meat; advises him to drop the snail so that the shell bursts. Eagle follows advice, but crow gets the start of: steals meat. A treacherous tongue can do much damage.

Motif References:

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

UBEd-18: “The fox and the raven” (about foolish carelessness): Hungry fox watches a raven that has a cheese in his beak. He tricks him into dropping it: flatters him about his beautiful voice, causing the raven to open his beak and sing. Fox steals the cheese. The laugh is always on the losers. Vanity leads to believing false flattery.

Motif References:

K 334.1 The raven with cheese in his mouth
K 2295 Treacherous animals
W 116 Vanity
J 2173 Short-sighted fool loses his food

UBEd-19: “About an old lion” (about the old enemy): Lion’s enemies take advantage of his old age: The boar bites him in the calves, the ox pricks him with his horns, and the ass beats him for past deeds. Lion repents injustice he committed in his youth.

Motif References:

W 121.2.1 Ass insults dying lion [Animals insult dying lion]
L 460 Pride brought low – miscellaneous

UBEd-20: “The dog and the ass” (about foolishness): Ass imitates his master’s dog, as he also wants to be spoiled without making any effort: He eats from the table, kisses and caresses the master, but the servants drive him off and beat him. Only fools strive for things that are contrary to their nature.

Motif References:

J 2413.1 Ass tries to caress his master like the dog
Q 380 Deeds punished – miscellaneous
J 512 Animal should not try to change his nature

UBEd-21: “The lion and the mouse” (about returning of favors): Lion lets a mouse he has caught free because of her clever arguing (no sense in killing her, a small and menial animal). One day, the mouse liberates him from a net (bites it through) – lion is grateful. Power has always to be combined with kindness.

Motif References:

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

UBEd-22: “About a sick harrier” (about late repentance): Argument between a sick harrier and his mother: He begs her to pray for forgiveness of his sins; the mother refuses, as he should have lived according to God’s rules earlier; late repentance is always false (like the sick wolf who after his cure became the same as before). God always answers prayers, but often not the way man would want it, as this would probably not serve him well.

Motif References:

U 236 False repentance of the sick

UBEd-23: “The swallow and the hemp-seeds” (about caution): A swallow watches sowing of hemp-seeds and urges other birds to destroy the seeds in order to prevent their growing and being manufactured to ropes and nets in the end. But the other birds sneer at that wise forethought – many of them are caught in the end! Always pay attention to wise forethought.

Motif References:

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

UBEd-24: “About a people who wanted their own king” (about serfdom): People living in country Atrica in Asia have great freedom: everyone is free; there is neither king nor lord. But as everyone fears that someone else might gain power, they install a king who now subjugates them and makes them serfs. Discontent with one’s own situation often leads to damage!

Motif References:

J 643 Care against future tyranny
J 2072 Short-sighted wish
P 12.2.1 Tyrannical king
W 128 Dissatisfaction

UBEd-25: “The frogs who wanted a king” (about freedom and mastering): Frogs living in freedom are dissatisfied with their situation and ask Jupiter for a king; the God laughs and keeps silent. On their further requests, he throws a log into the pond as their king. At first the frogs flee, then, realizing that the log is immobile, they again urge the God to give them a king – Jupiter sends a stork that devours them and refuses to call him back, as he only fulfilled their requests. Never submit if you can live in freedom.

Motif References:

J 643.1 Frogs demand a live king
B 245.1 King of frogs
W 128 Dissatisfaction
J 2072 Short-sighted wish
Q 338 Immoderate request punished
Q 599 Other punishments

UBEd-26: “The harrier and the pigeon” (about evil governor): Feud between harrier and pigeons. Pigeons fear to be defeated and decide to ask the hawk to be their governor and protector. But that one kills them all – the feud with the harrier would have had less consequence than asking the enemy to be the protector. If you have to make your choice between two evils always choose the one that does less damage.

Motif References:

B 263 War between other groups of animals
B 267 Animal allies
J 429 Association of strong and weak – miscellaneous
J 684.2 Foolishness of taking too strong a partner
K 2296 Treacherous partner
J 229 Choice between evils – miscellaneous

UBEd-27: “The dog and the thief” (about acceptation of gifts): Thief wants to entice watchdog away (tries to bribe him with bread and other food) to intrude into his house. The watchdog is loyal to his master and refuses. He prefers his secure and safe life to a joy he only experiences once (thief’s gift) and barks again. Acceptation of a gift leads to dependence and obligation: think well whose gifts you accept.

Motif References:

K 2062 Thief tries to feed watchdog and stop his mouth
B 325.1 Animal bribed with food
J 230 Choice: real and apparent values
B 301 Faithful animal
W 34 Loyalty

UBEd-28: “The wolf and the sow” (about mistrust and caution): Wolf offers gravid sow to take care for her piglets after birth. Sow refuses, believing that this offer is treacherous. Wolf flees. Always be cautious towards services offered – there is often a treacherous intention!

Motif References:

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

UBEd-29: “The molehill” (about vain fear): Mole heaps up an enormous hill. People passing by wonder at it and fear that it might devour the whole world. Suddenly a little mole emerges from the hill – people laugh: There is much ado about nothing.

Motif References:

F 989 Extraordinary occurrences concerning animals – miscellaneous
J 1772 One object thought to be another
U 119 Other ways in which appearances deceive

UBEd-30: “About a lamb and a wolf” (about evil advice): After the death of its mother, a man gives the lamb to a goat to be suckled. A wolf tries to entice the lamb away by false promise to bring him to his mother; the lamb refuses, as the wolf is treacherous. Thus it stays in security. Only follow good advice!

Motif References:

J 580 Wisdom of caution
J 640 Avoidance of others’ power
K 2061 Treacherous plan of hypocritical animal detected and prevented

UBEd-31: “About an old hound” (about lost service): A good hound gets old and is beaten by his master when he lets a hare escape. The hound laments that he was only appreciated when he was young. Choose your master well!

Motif References:

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

UBEd-32: “The hunter and the hare” (about confidence): Hares flee from hunters; when arriving at water, the frogs living there dive to the ground in fear of the hares. They realize that there is always someone weaker than oneself and gain confidence: continue their flight. There is a saying that whoever dies from fear should be buried in flour. Never lose confidence!

Motif References:

R 220 Flights
J 881.1 More timid than the hare

UBEd-33: “The goat and the wolf” (about children’s obedience): A goat leaves her kid in the stable to go on the pasture; she instructs it not to open the door to anyone to be safe from the wolf. The little kid is obedient: when the wolf comes and asks for admittance changing his voice to sound like the mother, it recognizes the false voice and sends him away. Take care of those who hide their falsehood behind sweet words. Always obey orders.

Motif References:

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

UBEd-34:

Motif References:

W 185 Violence of temper [Cruelty]

UBEd-35: “Wolf, sheep and stag” (about forced oath): Law court: Wolf as judge in a lawsuit between a stag, who accuses a sheep of owing him money, and the sheep. The wolf supports the stag and condemns the sheep to death, but gives in when the sheep vows to pay within a certain time. At pay day, the sheep refuses payment, referring to the oath that was taken under force and is therefore valueless!

Motif References:

B 270.1 Lawsuit between the owl and kite [between animals]
P 510 Law courts
K 2127 False accusation of theft [debt]
K 2299 Other villains and traitors – miscellaneous
M 110.1 Swearing while one knows that his oath is rendered valueless
J 1190 Cleverness in the law court – miscellaneous
K 551.22 Definite respite from death granted

UBEd-36: “The fly and the man” (about deserved mockery): A fly mocks a bald man: Sits down on his head and jeers at him when he hits himself, as he cannot catch her. He says that he takes no harm when slapping himself, but in case he slaps the fly only once that one will certainly be dead. Fools often do things from which they will suffer harm. Do not harm anyone and strive for being unharmed as well. The one who mocks others becomes the laughing-stock himself.

Motif References:

J 2102.3 Bald man aims at fly: hurts his head
J 651 Inattention to danger

UBEd-37: “The fox and the stork” (wickedness repaid): The fox invites the stork to a meal, but the food he serves is boiled away, so the stork stays hungry, whereas the fox eats and drinks. Stork invites the fox in return: prepares a chicken, but encloses himself with his food in a vessel; so, the fox stays hungry. Deceiver deceived!

Motif References:

J 1565.1 Fox and crane [stork] invite each other
K 2294 Treacherous host [guest]
P 320 Hospitality

UBEd-38: “About a wolf who found an image” (about delusive beauty): A wolf finds the statue of a handsome man with red cheeks. He believes the image to be real and admires it. When realizing that its eyes cannot see, its mouth cannot speak, its hands and feet cannot move, he finds it useless: a beautiful body without a soul is worth nothing, as the body should be embellished by the soul. Beautiful outward appearance does not indicate a beautiful soul.

Motif References:

F 855 Extraordinary image
J 1771 Object thought to be animal [man]
U 119.3 Handsome exterior does not indicate beautiful soul

UBEd-39: “The crow and the peacock” (about borrowed beauty): A crow who is dissatisfied with the color of his feathers finds a peacock’s feathers and dresses up with those. He arrogantly despises his companions, as he wants to be accepted among the peacocks. When one of those realizes that the feathers are only borrowed, he tears them away together with the crow’s original plumage; the crow is now naked. He becomes the laughing-stock! Pride goes before the fall.

Motif References:

W 128 Dissatisfaction
L 460 Pride brought low – miscellaneous
K 1821 Disguise by changing bodily appearance
J 951.2 Jay [crow] in peacock’s skin [feathers] unmasked

UBEd-40: “The mule and the horse-fly” (about putting up with something): A mule hauling his master’s cart is pestered by a horse-fly. The mule cannot kill it, as it has to hurry. There are always people who molest others who are in difficult circumstances.

Motif References:

J 974 Kid perched on house jeers at wolf [horse-fly molests busy mule]
W 121.2 Coward boasts when there is no danger

UBEd-41: “The fly and the ant” (about offences): Wordy warfare between ant and fly: The fly disparages the ant because she works hard for little gain, whereas she, the fly, has the possibility to eat even from the king’s table. The ant lives in a dirty house, whereas she can sit in the queen’s hair. The ant retorts furiously that everything she has is her own, whereas the fly lives only on stolen goods. The fly is detested, the ant not. Hard words are to be paid back with hard words.

Motif References:

J 211 Choice: free poverty or enslaved wealth

UBEd-42: “Ant and grasshopper” (about work and idleness): Ant makes provisions for the winter in summer: stores food. In winter, the grasshopper begs the ant for food, as he has not provided; ant refuses, the more so as he made fun of her eagerness during summer. The one who does not take precautions shall not make any profit

Motif References:

J 711.1 Ant and lazy cricket (grasshopper)

UBEd-43: “The mouse and her children” (about hypocrisy): A mouse leaves her children at home to search for food. She tells them to stay inside. The little mice run around, until suddenly a cock and his hens enter; they flee him. When he leaves the house again, they follow him and perceive the cat by the fireplace. As she sleeps, they believe her to be a peaceful animal. At their mother’s return, they tell her about the events; they learn that the cock is no danger, whereas the cat is their greatest enemy. Appearances often deceive.

Motif References:

J 132 Mouse teaches her child to fear quiet cats but not noisy cocks
U 119 Other ways in which appearances deceive

UBEd-44: “Quadrupeds and birds” (about inconstancy): War between quadrupeds and birds about who has predominance over the world. The opportunistic bat changes sides to the quadrupeds when realizing that the birds are in a weaker position then back again, as the birds win at the eagle’s incitement. The birds cast out the bat and pluck it. The bat is further punished by having to live by night. Illoyalty and inconstancy are to be punished.

Motif References:

P 550.1 Battle. War (Li)
B 261.1 Bat in war of birds and quadrupeds
K 2030 Double dealers
W 175 Changeableness
Q 261 Treachery punished
Q 432 Punishment: ejectment
Q 488 Cutting [tousling] hair as punishment
Q 599 Other punishments
A 2239 Animal characteristics from miscellaneous punishments
A 2491.1 Why bat flies by night

UBEd-45: “About a captured weasel” (about service done with selfish intention): A weasel gets caught in a mousetrap and begs the landlord to spare her life, as she always kept his house free from rats and mice. The man kills the weasel nevertheless, as this service was not done to help him but with the selfish intention to provide food for herself and to get at his food-provisions. Doing good deeds without the right intention is not good.

Motif References:

U 280 The nature of life – miscellaneous (Hi)

UBEd-46: “The frog and the ox” (about overweening): A frog and his son perceive an ox. The old frog wants to be as big as the ox and balloons himself despite his son’s warnings. After his third attempt and the third warning, he explodes. Envy and overweening are punished with good reason.

Motif References:

J 955.1 Frog tries in vain to be as big as ox
J 1050 Attention to warnings
Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
W 195 Envy
J 2137 Death through lack of foresight
L 460 Pride brought low – miscellaneous
J 512 Animal should not try to change his nature

UBEd-47: “The lion and the shepherd” (remembrance of good services): A lion runs a thorn into his foot. The wound gets inflamed, and he endures great pain. He begs a shepherd for help. The man first fears him and offers his herd to him, but then pulls the thorn out of the lion’s foot. He is grateful and memorizes his helper’s face to pay back his debt one day. One day, the lion is caught by the Romans and enclosed with other wild beasts. Years later, the shepherd is condemned to being fed to the wild animals because of different bad deeds. The lion recognizes him, kisses him and saves him from being attacked. The shepherd explains to the Romans that he once removed a thorn from the lion’s paw. The Romans remit punishment and also liberate the lion. Always remember kind acts, never forget old friends.

Motif References:

P 412 Shepherd
N 841 Shepherd as helper
B 381 Thorn removed from lion’s paw (Androcles and the Lion)
B 845 Wild animals herded
Q 415.4 Punishment: being fed to lions (wild beasts)
B 525 Animal spares man he is about to devour
W 27 Gratitude
H 152 Recognition through accidental encounter
N 760 Other accidental encounters
Q 570 Punishment and remission

UBEd-48: “The fever and the flea” (about excessive indolence): The flea complains to the fever that he is still hungry: just when he was about to bite an abbess, she and her maid made light and started to chase him. The fever laments that it tried to take possession of a poor woman, but was driven out of her body, as she ate pap, drank water and worked hard (washing). They change their victims: The fever attacks the abbess; she goes to bed. Her maid brings a hot brick to induce sweating, rubs her feet with salt and vinegar, her head with rosewater, covers her with a fur against the cold, closes the door, feeds her a pap of rice with almond-milk, gives her a sugared juice of violet as digestive, a pomegranate as refreshment. The flea attacks the exhausted washerwoman who sleeps on the straw. Both are satisfied. Excessive laziness makes ill!

Motif References:

Z 112.1 Fever personified
J 612.1 Flea and fever exchange night-lodgings
P 120 Church dignitaries
W 111.5 Other lazy persons

UBEd-49: “The hawk and the crow” (about nourishing one's foe): A crow who takes much trouble in nourishing her young decides to steal the hawk’s eggs and brood them when realizing that the hawk’s nest is full of good food. She believes that her young ones hatching out of the eggs will care for her later. The hawk thinks by himself that she will soon learn the consequences of her theft: the young hawks attack her and kill her in the end! She got herself into that trouble because of overweening ambition. She nourished her own foe.

Motif References:

W 195 Envy
J 512 Animal should not try to change his nature
L 460 Pride brought low – miscellaneous
J 2137 Death through lack of foresight

UBEd-50: “The lion and the horse” (about pretended reputation): A hungry lion approaches a horse under pretention to be a doctor: wants to heal him from any pain he might have. But the horse sees through the lion’s intentions – begs him to remove a thorn from his hoof. The moment the lion bends down to the hoof, the horse kicks him and escapes. Lion repents his cunning deed.

Motif References:

K 2061.7 Cat offers to act as doctor for cock and hen [Lion offers to act as doctor for horse]
K 1121 Wolf (lion) approaches too near to horse: kicked in face
J 641 Escaping before enemy can strike

UBEd-51: “The horse and the ass” (about world’s contempt): An insolent horse with a precious cover meets a heavily burdened ass in a very narrow street. The horse rudely insults the ass who makes way for him. Later, the horse gets old and weak and is put to the carriage; as it has to work hard, it gets ugly and thin. The ass then meets it again: jeers at him – pride brought low! Never mock the poor, as also the rich can be humbled.

Motif References:

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

UBEd-52: “A man, his son and an ass” (about mockery of the innocent): A man goes to the market with his son and an ass; he rides, son walks. As people passing by find it inconsiderate to let the child walk, both ride. Other people pity the ass: the boy should walk the man ride. Both get off and walk. People mock them, as they do not ride. Finally, they carry the ass to test people’s reaction. They are held for lunatics: ass should carry them both. The father advises the son to do what is right. You never escape vile gossip anyway.

Motif References:

J 1041.2 Miller, his son, and the ass: trying to please everyone

UBEd-53: “About a flayed ass” (about deserved mockery): A woman of bad reputation lives in a castle. Every time one of her servants goes to the market, they report the vile gossip that is spread in the village about her. So she has an ass flayed in such a way that it stays alive and sends it on the market-place. That day, she asks her servant if people talked about her, but the servant tells her that the flayed ass was the topic of the day. You can not evade vile gossip except if you do not give any reason for it.

Motif References:

J 1075.1 Woman tests enduring power of gossip by having a servant ride through streets on a flayed ass [by sending a flayed ass in the streets]
H 1599 Miscellaneous tests (Hi)

UBEd-54: “The nightingale and the sparrow-hawk” (about bad end): The sparrow-hawk tells a nightingale that the only way to prevent him from killing her young is to sing. She does so, but the enemy tears out her children’s hearts before her eyes. One day, he is caught in a net – the nightingale hopes that he ends badly. Bad life leads to bad end, there are only some exceptions.

Motif References:

U 30 Rights of the strong
S 302 Children murdered
W 185 Violence of temper [Cruelty]
S 139.6 Murder by tearing out heart

UBEd-55: “The wolf and the fox” (about deception): The wolf stores his food-provisions in a cave. The fox wants to get at the food: he comes to visit the wolf, pretending to miss him, but the wolf sends him away. The fox takes revenge: shows the wolf’s hideaway to a shepherd who kills the wolf. The fox takes possession of the cave. Also he is betrayed: a net is fixed to the entrance. Liars and deceivers are betrayed themselves in the end.

Motif References:

W 181.4 Jealous fox betrays wolf to peasant and then appropriates wolf’s cave and food
K 2295 Treacherous animals
K 2061 Treacherous plan of hypocritical animal detected and prevented
K 839 Fatal deception into trickster’s power – miscellaneous

UBEd-56: “The stag and the hunter” (about affection that does harm): A stag sees his reflection when drinking from a fountain. He admires his antlers, but is dissatisfied with his legs. But when he is hunted, his legs serve him better than the antlers! He escapes from the hunt, but in the woods, his antlers get caught in the trees, and he is killed. Sometimes you love what brings harm and scorn what does you good!

Motif References:

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

UBEd-57: “A woman and a thief” (about women’s faithlessness): A woman loses her husband. She mourns him day and night, cries at his grave; at the same time, a thief is hanged. A guard is paid to take care of the corpse, as it should hang as deterrent (carelessness punished by beheading). The guard gets lusty when hearing the woman’s wailing; he fawns upon her and succeeds in spending the night with her. The guard returns to the gallows; the corpse he has been meant to take care of has disappeared. As he fears to be punished by death, the widow exhumes her husband to substitute the missing corpse. Women’s faithlessness did much evil!

Motif References:

T 211.9 Excessive grief at husband’s or wife’s death
F 1041.21 Reactions to excessive grief
Q 413.1 Hanging as punishment for theft
K 1840 Deception by substitution
E 800 The Corpse (Bm.)
T 231 The faithless widow (Bm.)

UBEd-58: “Three Roman widows” (about faithfulness of women): Three virtuous Roman women lose their husbands. They want to lead a chaste life and refuse another marriage for different reasons: the first, as she would only be taken for her money; the second, as her husband still abides in her heart – she can not love two men; the third, as her first husband was very good; the second could be bad, and in case he was also good, his loss would again make her suffer. Those widows are a good example.

Motif References:

Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
T 211 Faithfulness to marriage in death
T 291 Why widow does not remarry
J 482.1 Woman refuses second marriage. If husband is good she will fear to lose him; if bad, she will repent
J 482.1.1 Woman refuses second marriage. Her husband abides in her heart
J 480 Other choices

UBEd-59: “The dog and the wolf” (liberty and captivity): Wolf envies his friend, the dog, who is fed by his master, as he keeps an eye on the house and guards it against thieves. The wolf wants to become his partner, but when realizing the scraped off patches on the dog’s throat which are caused by the chain, he prefers his freedom, even if he does not have much to eat. A poor man living in freedom is richer than a rich man who has to serve.

Motif References:

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

UBEd-60: “The belly and the members” (about envy and hatred): Quarrel between the members and the belly: Feet and hands accuse the belly of laziness. They work hard to provide the food for the belly that does nothing but eat. They require that the belly works as well. The belly becomes sick with fear; this causes the whole body to become ill and weak: The mouth does not open, hands and feet are limp. This is meant to demonstrate that friends need each other; everyone has his duties to fulfill in a community, as mutually useful.

Motif References:

J 461.1 The belly and the members
A 1391 Why other members must serve the belly
F 1041.17 Extraordinary result of fear

UBEd-61: “The Jew and the cupbearer” (murder inevitably comes to light): The king entrusts a Jew who has to pass through a forest that is inhabited by murderers to transport a large sum of money to a cupbearer. But his protector himself is treacherous. When the Jew realizes that his companion intends to kill him, he tells him that birds will bring the murder to light. The villain laughs at that and calls in mockery a partridge as witness of his deed, drawing his sword. He kills the Jew and takes the money. Shortly after his return, partridges are served at court. The cupbearer remembers his deed and bursts out laughing. At the king’s enquiries, the man reveals his deed. He is hanged. If he had not seen the partridge he would not have been hanged. Never kill for wordly goods.

Motif References:

P 715.1 Jews
K 2249 Other treacherous officers and tradesmen
W 151 Greed
M 348 Murderer warned by God's voice [by victim] that murder will be avenged [will come out]
K 959 Other kinds of treacherous murder
S 115 Murder by stabbing
N 271 Murder will out
M 391 Fulfillment of prophecy
Q 211 Murder punished
Q 413.4 Hanging as punishment for murder
J 2136.5 Careless thief [murderer] caught

UBEd-62: “The court official and the knight” (about disclosure of law): A king has two officials: One, the phleger, takes care of the knights and nobles, the other one, the steward, administers the material goods. The phleger is envious and accuses the other, older one, of nepotism and embezzlement. He wants to fight him. As the steward is rather old, he looks for a substitute in judicial combat. None of his friends want to fight for him, only a farm-hand offers to step into the circle for him. The phleger is furious because of his inferior opponent, but the peasant cuts off his arm; he loses his life because of envy. You find many reasons to commit treachery. In times of distress, you learn who your true friends are. Lies have short wings.

Motif References:

P 110 Royal ministers
K 2248 Treacherous minister
K 2129 Slanders – miscellaneous
P 556.0.1 Challenge to single combat [feud]
W 195 Envy
P 557.4 Customs concerning single combat
P 310 Friendship
H 218 Trial by combat
P 555 Defeat in battle [single combat]
L 311 Weak (small) [young] hero overcomes large fighter

UBEd-63: “The woman and the wolf” (about women’s treachery): A woman threatens to give her child to the wolf if it does not stop crying. A hungry wolf, who overhears this, takes this threat to be meant for true and waits in vain. Returns to his family and complains about women’s treachery: they never keep their promises.

Motif References:

J 2066.5 Wolf waits in vain for the nurse to throw away the child

UBEd-64: “The snail and the eagle” (about ambition contradicting one’s nature): The snail complains about her slowness and asks the eagle to teach her how to fly. The eagle takes the snail on his wings (after a short while she gets fearful). The eagle drops her – her shell breaks. Never make an attempt to fly without wings. Never act against your nature.

Motif References:

W 128 Dissatisfaction
J 657.2 Tortoise [snail] lets self be carried by eagle
J 512 Animal should not try to change his nature
L 420 Overweening ambition punished

UBEd-65: “The crayfish and his son” (about unjust rebuke): Old crayfish rebukes young for walking the wrong way: he should do as his forefathers. Demonstrates the right way (backwards); the young one tells him that this is exactly his way of walking. You had better look at yourself before rebuking someone else.

Motif References:

W 133 Inconsistency
J 120 Wisdom learned from children

UBEd-66: “The sun and the wind” (about good behavior and impetuosity): Quarrel between the wind and the sun: wind wants to prove that he is stronger than the sun. Jupiter is asked to be their arbitrator. He imposes task: the one who succeeds in removing a man’s coat is the winner. They try their power on a pilgrim: impetuous wind tears his coat, but the man girds himself against him. Sun wins: her constant warmth makes the pilgrim remove his coat and sit down. Patience brings better reward than impetuous behavior.

Motif References:

Z 115 Wind personified
L 351 Contest of wind and sun
H 927 Tasks set by deity [God, heavenly voice, the Virgin Mary]
H 1599 Miscellaneous tests (Hi)
W 185 Violence of temper [Cruelty]
Z 139 Personifications – miscellaneous
W 26 Patience

UBEd-67: “The ass and the lion-skin” (about recognition): Ass finds a lion-skin in the scrub. He puts it on and frightens the other animals. His master searches for him and finally recognizes him by his ears. Removes the lion-skin and hits him with a staff. Ass has to carry sacks again. Adorning one with borrowed plumes is useless; pride is always brought low.

Motif References:

K 1821 Disguise by changing bodily appearance
J 951.2 Ass in lion’s skin unmasked when he raises his voice [recognized by his ears]
H 151.16 Recognition because of imperfection of disguise
L 420 Overweening ambition punished

UBEd-68: “The frog and the fox” (about false glory): A frog brags to have the power of healing. A fox overhears this retorts that this is unbelievable, as the frog can not even heal himself, as his color indicates. Frog is ashamed for his overweening behavior. Deserved mockery for the one who thinks to be a doctor but cannot even heal himself.

Motif References:

J 950 Presumption of the lowly
J 1062.1 Frog as (beauty) doctor unable to cure his own ugliness (to cure himself)
L 460 Pride brought low – miscellaneous

UBEd-69: “The belled dog” (about malicious joy): Malicious dog behaves in a friendly way, but attacks from behind: bites people into their calves and escapes. To prevent this, his master puts a bell around his neck, but the dog believes this to be done in his honor and carries it proudly until an old dog points out to him that this is a sign of disgrace. Those who want to gain glory because of their viciousness are scolded with good reason and have a bad character. Pride will always be brought low.

Motif References:

K 2031.1 Dog friendly but attacks from behind
K 2295 Treacherous animals
W 171 Two-facedness
J 670 Forethought in defences against others
J 953.1 Dog proud of his clog [bell]
L 460 Pride brought low – miscellaneous

UBEd-70: “The cat, the mouse and the bell” (about the enemy in the house): Everlasting war between cat and mouse, as they share their place of living. Mice are always in fear. The have council how to protect themselves from the cat and decide to bell the cat to make her discernible. But as all of them fear to fulfill this task, the advice is not carried out. Wisdom is mightier than physical strength, but you can not properly take precautions against the enemy in your own house.

Motif References:

B 263 War between other groups of animals
P 557.0.1 (Li) Council of war
J 671.1 Belling the cat

UBEd-71: 71: “The trapped snake” (about ungratefulness): A man liberates a snake that has been bound to a post. The snake is ungrateful: winds itself around his neck and points out that he should be glad that it does not bite him as it would be in its nature. They ask the fox to be their judge. That one is clever: pretends to have to judge from inspection. So the snake is bound to the post again. Thus, the man’s life is saved; snake dies. Never free a thief from the gallows if you do not want to take damage.

Motif References:

R 110 Rescue of captive
W 154.2.1 Rescued animal threatens rescuer
B 270 Animals in legal relations
P 421 Judge
J 1118 Clever animal [Th.: Clever bird]
J 1172.3 Ungrateful animal returned to captivity
Q 281 Ingratitude punished

UBEd-72: “About entrusting one’s goods to someone” (about good advice): Two merchants leave their goods with a woman in safe keeping. She is instructed to hand it over only in case they both demand it again. Some time later, one of them begs her for the goods under the pretention that his partner has died. The gullible woman believes him. When the other one comes, he is furious as she did not keep to the instruction. A wise and clever man the woman asks for advice acts as her advocate: tells the man to bring by his partner (so to follow his own rules). As he does not find him, there are not the two of them – so the woman is free of guilt. If you are begged to take care of someone’s goods, always ask for the conditions to be safe from faithlessness.

Motif References:

P 431 Merchant
K 2296 Treacherous partner
K 364 Partner misappropriates common goods
M 90 Judgments and decrees – miscellaneous motifs
J 1161.1 The three joint depositors [two joint merchants] may have their money [goods] back when all demand it

UBEd-73: “Two companions and a bear” (about treacherous friends): Two companions (one red-haired, one brown-haired) swear oath of friendship. When a bear menaces them, the red one breaks his oath and flees on a tree. The other one feigns death: The bear leaves him alone after snorting at him and pulling him around. The red gets off the tree and asks in false friendliness what the bear murmured into his ear. The other one retorts cleverly that the bear warned him against false friends – beware of the red-haired.

Motif References:

P 311 Sworn brethren
M 150 Other vows and oaths
R 220 Flights
K 2297 Treacherous friend
M 108 Violators of oaths
K 522 Escape by shamming death
J 1440 Repartee – miscellaneous
Z 141 Symbolic color: red

UBEd-74: “Three merchants” (about clever naivety): Three companions (two are clever, the third is naive, a peasant) decide to share everything; go on a pilgrimage. At night, they make a bread of flour and bake it on the fire. As there is only enough bread for two, the two smarter men develop a plan to deprive the numskull of his share: the one of them who has the strangest dream should get all of the bread. They go to sleep; during the night, the numskull eats the bread! The following day, they tell their dreams: The first says that angels guided him to heaven; the second that he was taken to hell by the devil. The numskull fools them: he has eaten all the bread as he dreamed that they went to heaven or to hell, wherefrom no one returns.

Motif References:

Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
K 2297 Treacherous friend
K 444 Dream bread: the most wonderful dream
J 1115.6 Clever peasant
J 1527 Dream answered by dream
K 1610 Deceiver falls into his own trap – miscellaneous
L 141 Stupid person surpasses clever

UBEd-75: “The bald knight” (about mockery): A bald knight wears a bonnet with hair. In the course of the turmoil during a tournament (runtavel), his wig is torn off. Everyone sees that he is bald. He prevents people’s mockery by taking the wind out of people’s sails: says that he deserved the exposure because of his vanity. Those who anticipate mockery by taking aim at themselves are wise.

Motif References:

W 116 Vanity
X 52.1 Exposure to ridicule when wig is snatched off [Th.: Woman exposed to ridicule when her wig is snatched off by a monkey]
J 1440 Repartee – miscellaneous

UBEd-76: “The hunchback and the tollkeeper” (about deserved mockery): A count collects toll for his bridge only from handicapped people: one penny for each handicap. Those who are sane may pass free. A hunchback refuses to pay the penny, so the tollkeeper watches him more closely and realizes that he also has a goitre (two pennies), that he is blind (three pennies), has the scurf (four pennies) and the mange (five pennies). If he had been wise and not refused to pay the first penny he would have passed with one penny. The one who detects his handicaps by himself deserves mockery.

Motif References:

P 532 Payment of tax (tribute) [toll]
U 30 Rights of the strong

UBEd-77: “Two pans” (about undesired company): A brook overflows and carries away two pans (one made of clay, the other of metal). When the metal pan asks the clay pan that advances more quickly to wait, that one refuses: as metal is harder than clay, it would take damage. It is better for the weaker to make way for the stronger.

Motif References:

J 425.1 Earthen and brazen pots in river

UBEd-78: “Lion and ox” (sparing someone’s life because of fear): An ox flees from a hungry lion into a cave. The he-goat who has fled there as well succeeds in driving him away; as he is fearful – he would never have done that under normal conditions. It is better to submit to the authorities, as they have the power.

Motif References:

R 220 Flights
U 30 Rights of the strong
J 829 Dealing with the great – miscellaneous

UBEd-79: “The ape and the other animals” (about vain arrogance): Animal beauty contest on a heath: whose child is the most beautiful. Anyone who is able to carry staff and bag is invited. Jupiter is the judge. The ape praises her child above all the others – the other animals and Jupiter laugh about her presumption. The one who praises what is not worth to be praised deserves mockery. Every mother believes her child to be the most beautiful.

Motif References:

J 950 Presumption of the lowly
L 430 Arrogance repaid
H 1596 (Hi) Beauty contest
P 421 Judge
V 215 (Hi) Heathen gods
B 299.7 Festival [beauty contest] of animals
P 231.3 Mother-love

UBEd-80: “The goose that laid a golden egg” (about excessive greed): A man owns a goose that lays a golden egg every day. In his greed to get more gold, he kills the goose, believing it to be full of gold; but he only finds dirt. Greed leads nowhere!

Motif References:

B 103.2.1 Treasure-laying bird
F 989 Extraordinary occurrences concerning animals – miscellaneous
W 151 Greed
D 876 Magic treasure animal killed
B 192 Magic animal killed
J 321 Present possessions preferred to future possibilities

UBEd-81: “The peacock and the crane” (about scorned company): The peacock cheers at the crane as he is not as beautifully colored as he himself; scorns his company. The crane retorts that the peacock’s feathers get dirty in the rain and are plucked out in May. He, the crane, is able to fly and be free. Peacock’s pride is brought low.

Motif References:

W 187 Insolence [Self-conceit]
J 242.5 Peacock and crane in beauty contest
L 430 Arrogance repaid

UBEd-82: “The cleric and the ass” (about loudness of voice): A cleric is very conceited of his voice, though it does not please people. During mass, he chants extremely loudly. A woman who has lost her ass three days before starts crying. The priest believes that her tears are caused by the beauty of his voice, but she tells him that his voice reminds her of the voice of her ass who was devoured by lions. This story proves the stupidity of self-conceit.

Motif References:

P 426.1 Parson (priest)
W 187 Insolence [Self-conceit]
X 436 The parson sings like a goat [like an ass]
L 460 Pride brought low – miscellaneous
J 953.2 Bad singer thinks he is talented (driven from theatre)

UBEd-83: “The oak and the reeds” (about strength and weakness): An oak with strong roots stands on a hill; on the bottom of the hill there is a brook skirted by reeds. A strong wind (aquilo) uproots the oak; it wonders how the weak reeds survived when it, the strong tree, did not. The reed retorts that it has to put up with its weakness and to bend before the wind; the oak has been brought down because of her stubbornness. The wiser head gives in!

Motif References:

J 832 Reeds bend before wind (flood)
L 330 Easy escape of weak (small)

UBEd-84: “Four oxen and a wolf” (about treachery): Four oxen are sworn brethren; together they are invincible. Treacherous wolf destroys their friendship by telling each of them that the others conspire against him. When he attacks one of them, the others do not help him – so the wolf kills and devours them all. Never let friendship be destroyed by liars.

Motif References:

P 311 Sworn brethren
K 2295 Treacherous animals
K 2131 Trickster makes friends each suspicious of the other's intentions
K 1084.2 Liar brings enmity between friends

UBEd-85: “The knight who became a monk” (about truthful people): A wealthy knight gives up all his goods and becomes a monk. One day, the abbot charges him with the sale of the old asses. The knight goes to the market, but as he answers all the questions concerning their condition of health, age etc. truthfully, he does not sell one of them. The abbot is furious and has him do penance. The knight says he has entered the monastery for God’s sake and not for lying. If you enter a monastery take care of your soul!

Motif References:

P 56 (Bm) Knight [noble] becomes hermit [monk]
V 461.2 Truthful monk refuses to cheat even for his order
W 37 Conscientiousness

UBEd-86: “Fir-tree and thorn-bush” (about world's vanity): Conceited fir-tree praises its own beauty and scorns thorn-bush as it is ugly and detested by anyone because of its thorns; its wood is only good for fire-making. Fir-tree is then cut down and jeered at by the thorn-bush. Never praise your own beauty. Today’s joy might not last until tomorrow.

Motif References:

W 187 Insolence [Self-conceit]
L 430 Arrogance repaid

UBEd-87: “The emperor’s gem” (memento mori): An emperor owns an extremely heavy jewel that overweighs even lead. It loses all its power and weight when covered with ashes. The emperor’s counselor interprets this phenomenon: The jewel symbolizes the emperor; he overweighs everyone, no one is his equal. But he shall always remember his mortality: his power will be lost after his death (when his head is covered with earth).

Motif References:

F 826 Extraordinary jewels
D 1071 Magic jewel
D 789 Other means of disenchantment
H 614 Explanation of enigmatic phenomenon
Z 100 Symbolism

UBEd-88: “The stingy and the greedy man” (stinginess and greed): A greedy and a stingy man meet a man who wants to test their character. He promises double reward to the second petitioner. The greedy man gives precedence to the stingy who in his turn wants one of his eyes to be put out so that the other one does not get anything. The greedy man has both eyes put out. Greed makes you want more and more. Damaging yourself to damage the enemy is not very clever.

Motif References:

H 1569 Tests of character – miscellaneous
W 151 Greed
W 152.2 Man had rather damage himself than share with another
K 1610 Deceiver falls into his own trap – miscellaneous
P 251.6.1 Three brothers
Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
W 152.13 The stingy man and his animals
J 2199.4 Short-sighted economy

UBEd-90: “The lion and the goat” (about harmful advice): A goat has her cave up in the sterile mountains to search for food unharmed. A lion advises her to come down to the fertile pastures. But the goat acts wisely and refuses, revealing his treacherous intention. If she had trusted him, she would have been killed.

Motif References:

K 2061.4 Wolf [lion, fox] tries to entice goat [pigeon] down from high place [out of stable]
J 646 Disregard advice of your enemy

UBEd-91: “About the one who has hot and cold in his mouth” (about double-dealing): A man works in the woods. As it is cold, he gets lodgings at the place of an inhabitant of the woods. When that one asks him why he blows into his hands, he explains that he does this to warm them up, but when he blows the mulled wine he is served in order to cool it, the man chases him away, as he does not trust anyone who has hot and cold in his mouth. Always be aware of double-dealing.

Motif References:

Z 100 Symbolism
H 614 Explanation of enigmatic phenomenon
K 2030 Double dealers
J 640 Avoidance of others’ power

UBEd-92: “The captured nightingale” (about worldly foolishness): A nightingale caught by a huntsman convinces him to let her free in return for three teachings that will bring him luck: 1. never believe what is beyond belief; 2. rue not a thing that is past; 3. never try to reach the unattainable. He lets her fly. She mocks at him, telling him that she encloses a jewel the size of an ostrich’s egg that renders poison ineffective. The foolish man believes her –thus disregards every single teaching! Fools never mature.

Motif References:

P 414 Hunter
B 211.3 Speaking bird
M 244 Bargains between men and animals
Z 71.1 Formulistic number: three
R 9.10 Release from captivity (Bm.)
H 1599. (Hi) Miscellaneous tests
J 2349 Nature of gullibility – miscellaneous
K 604 The three teachings of the bird
J 21.12 “Rue not a thing that is past”
J 21.13 “Never believe what is beyond belief”
J 21.14 “Never try to reach the unattainable”

UBEd-93: “Wolves, herdsmen and dogs” (about the duty of teachers): War between wolves and livestock to be ended: wolves swear to livestock and herdsmen on a heathland that they want to make peace under the condition that all dogs are surrendered to them. Herdsmen give in, but wolves kill the dogs, then their charges, the sheep. The dog’s duty is compared to that of the teacher: he takes care of his pupil and saves him from bad influence (allusion to heretics).

Motif References:

B 260.1 Two groups of animals make peace treaty
P 559 (Bm) Peace: making and conditions of peace (ransom, reparations, submission)
M 244 Bargains between men and animals
M 205 Breaking of bargains and promises
K 2295 Treacherous animals
K 2010.3 Wolves sign false truce with sheep
J 2172 Short-sightedness in caring for live-stock
Z 100 Symbolism
K 191 Peace between sheep and wolves

UBEd-94: “About one who knew black magic (schwarze buoch)” (about false friends): A parson educated in the seven liberal arts as well as in black magic (called nigromanzie, as the books are black and horrible) tests a friend who declares that he would stay loyal to the parson even if he was rich and famous. He brings forth an illusion: A legation of 30 men welcomes him as lord of Kipperland and takes him with them. At his return from his kingdom, the magician demands his reward from him. The man refuses to know him, so the magician revokes the illusion, causing his friend’s disappointment. Power and glory often make people forget their old friends.

Motif References:

P 426.1 Parson (priest)
D 1711 Magician
H 1558 Test of friendship
D 2031 Magic illusion
K 1889 Other illusions
U 280. (Hi) The nature of life – miscellaneous

UBEd-95: “About two men who wanted to bribe their judge” (about receiving bribes): Two men want to settle a quarrel and ask their lord to be their judge. One of them brings him an ox as bribe, the other one gives a cow to the judge’s wife who begs her husband to adjudge right to that man. The judge acts according to his wife’s request during law court. The man who gave the ox asks it to speak up, but it is clear that the cow and the woman decided the case (through pillow-talk). Gifts oblige, and injustice becomes justice.

Motif References:

P 421 Judge
P 614 (Bm) Bribes
T 299 Other aspects of married life – miscellaneous
J 1192 The bribed [false] judge
U 10 Justice and injustice

UBEd-96: “About a singed cat” (about chastisement of women): Town makes thieves: A burgher owns a beautiful white cat that catches many mice. His neighbor has the intention to steal it, as he would get five shillings for the fur. To prevent this, the man singes the cat’s fur. This story is exemplary for women who present their beauty too openly: their hide shall be singed so that they are not desired by any other men but their own.

Motif References:

J 620 Forethought in prevention of others’ plans
Z 100 Symbolism

UBEd-97: “About a child called Papirius” (about children’s wisdom): wise child of eight years participates at the senate’s deliberations. One day, the child’s curious mother wants to know about the secret discussions; when he refuses, she tries to beat the truth out of him. So he tells her that the discussion was if a man should have two wives or a woman two husbands. The mother thinks that two husbands for one woman would be better – the other way round, the men would not have their peace. The other women believe that a man should have two wives. The following day, they go to the senate to protest. The surprised senators tell them that a man should only have one wife. When asked about this, Papirius says that he had to invent this lie to keep the secret. The men praise his wisdom but decide to accept no other children but him. Children, the deaf, drunkards and women can not keep their secrets for themselves.

Motif References:

T 585 Precocious infant
F 570 Other extraordinary human beings
Z 251 Boy hero
C 420 Tabu: uttering secrets
W 137 Curiosity
T 258 The curious wife
P 231 Mother and son
J 120 Wisdom learned from children
J 1546 Overcurious wife [mother] learns of the senate’s deliberations
J 1113 Clever boy
J 2303 Gullible mother [father]

UBEd-98: “Bishop and arch-priest” (about unworthy behavior concerning an office): A bishop appoints the son of his relative as arch-priest. One day, the bishop receives a basket of pears as a present; when looking for someone to look after it, he refuses the young priest as he believes him to be too foolish to take care of it properly. A wise man reproaches the bishop for his carelessness: How can a man he does not even hold worthy of taking care of fruit take care of people’s souls? The bishop is unworthy!

Motif References:

P 122 (Bm) Archbishop and bishop
J 2199 Absurd short-sightedness – miscellaneous

UBEd-99: “About a foolish parson” (about natural foolishness): A nobleman sends his son to school, then to Paris to have him educated as a priest. But the young man spends his father’s money and enjoys life. At his return, his father arranges a feast, during which the young man reveals his stupidity: When he sees a cow’s tail nailed to a door, he wonders how the cow got through the hole in the door; then admires the moon, as it looks the same as in Paris. His father is disappointed. Not even Paris can make a scholar of a numskull.

Motif References:

P 426 Clergy
W 111.5 Other lazy persons
J 1705 Stupid classes
J 1960 Other absurd disregard of facts
J 2271.1 The local moon
U 129 Nature will show itself – miscellaneous

UBEd-100: “The king and the barber” (in the presence of death): In a town, market takes place. Law: seven-days-peace for women and men. A parson passes himself off for a merchant and offers wisdom for sale. The king sends his servants to buy wisdom for silver. The parson writes down a Latin phrase that means in German: “Consider the consequences of your deeds and what will become of you.” The king has this phrase engraved in gold letters and attached to the door. This later saves him from a conspirative attack: A barber who has been meant to kill him began to shiver and became pale when reading the phrase. The king has him fettered and beaten until he admits his plan. He is killed. Those who consider the consequences of their deeds are wise.

Motif References:

P 426.1 Parson (priest)
K 1817.4 Disguise as merchant
J 163 Wisdom purchased
J 21.1 “Consider the end”
P 12 Character of kings
K 2370 Miscellaneous deceptions
K 1253 Treacherous barber
F 1041.17 Extraordinary result of fear
N 610 Accidental discovery of crime
N 275 Criminal confesses because he thinks himself accused [because he gets afraid]
Q 261 Treachery punished
Q 411.4 Death as punishment for treachery

UBEd-101: “About the end of the book”: Exemplary stories (bischaft) are meant to make people wise; Boner wrote the book to honor the one of Ringgenberg.

Motif References:

Maere and Novellas

Ulrich Boner, Der Edelstein (ca. 1345) Pfeiffer, F. (ed.): Ulrich Boner, Der Edelstein (Dichtg. d.dt.MA 4). Göschen 1844.

Ulrich Boner, Der Edelstein (ca. 1345)
Pfeiffer, F. (ed.): Ulrich Boner, Der Edelstein (Dichtg. d.dt.MA 4). Göschen 1844.