M39a6e. Basket, ATU 888A*. (.28.31.)
A person learns a craft (weaving, painting) in order to earn a living for the family. His wife is kidnapped (separated if he is with him). The wife finds out that her husband is there when she sees baskets or other items he has made.
{The Uther 2004 Index includes numerous references to texts that do not meet the motive stated in the definition. In the Al-Shami index (El-Shamy 2004, No. 888A*), the definition of the plot is extremely brief (Recognition of spouse through handiwork). Therefore, in all cases, a review of publications is necessary. The motive in our definition, which corresponds to the 888A* plot definition in Uther 2004, seems to be only known in northern Europe}.
Russians (Voronezh, Penza), Swedes, Latvians, Lithuanians.
(North Africa. Moroccan Berbers: El-Shamy 2004, No. 888A*: 538.
(Western Europe. Irish, Friezes: Uther 2004 (1), No 888A*: 513-514).
(Western Asia. Palestinians: El-Shamy 2004, No. 888A*: 538).
(South Asia. Jammu District {probably dogri} [content not clear, original needed]: Jason 1989:37).
(The Balkans. Serbs, Macedonians, Romanians, Greeks: Uther 2004 (1), No. 888A*: 513-514; Macedonians [the prince marries the king's daughter; he agrees to give her away only if the prince learns some craft; the prince learned to weave baskets and began to earn this money; then the king gave him a daughter]: Martin 1955:97-100; Serbs [the prince fell in love with the shepherd's daughter, but he would give it away only after the groom learns the craft and brings the sample; the prince learned how to weave matting; shepherd: if I knew this craft, I would not herd cattle now; wedding]: Golenishchev-Kutuzov 1991:302-303) .
Central Europe. Russians (Voronezh, Penza) [Weaver: the son of a merchant (landowner) learns the craft of weaving pesteri (purses, baskets) to marry the girl he likes; after her wedding, her kidnapped; husband goes in search; after many years she finds him when she sees his products)]: SUS 1979, No. 888A*: 225; Russians (Penza) []: Anisimova 1953:84-87; Slovaks: Uther 2004 (1), No. 888A*: 513-514.
(Caucasus - Asia Minor. Kurds: Wentzel 1978, No. 19 in Uther 2004 (1), No. 888A*: 513-514).
Baltoscandia. Swedes [the king keeps his son in the tower so that he does not fall in love with the poor girl; the servant let the young man go for a walk, the son met the girl Margit; her father is a basket; the father gave his daughter on the condition that Korolevich will also learn this craft; at the wedding, an unknown skipper presented the young with rich gifts, invited them to the schooner, took him away, turned out to be a robber; M. begged him not to kill her husband, he was lowered on the board in sea; the robber pretends to be a noble man, calls the king to the wedding with M.; the board was washed ashore, the old woman went out to the prince, he began to weave baskets, M. recognizes his work, asks to invite a basket maker for the wedding; when everyone gathered, M. talks about what happened; the robber was put on a stake]: Braude, Zolotorevskaya 1969:297-301; Latvians [Basket weaver. The poor girl does not agree to marry a young man until he learns the craft. The young man learns to weave baskets (also: becomes a painter). The wife is kidnapped by the ship captain. She finds her husband because of his craft]: Arys, Medne 1977, No. 888A*: 330 (=Arājs, Medne 1977:470); Lithuanians [this is a general definition of a motive, not a summary of a specific Lithuanian text; a rich young man wants to marry, but the girl makes it a condition that he must learn a craft; he has learned how to weave baskets; later it turns out that he earns money life]: Aarne, Thompson 1961, No. 939*: 335.