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Stith Thompson Motif Index
About this index and how to read it
Stith Thompson's Motif-Index of Folk-Literature classifies recurring narrative elements in folktales, myths, legends, ballads and related traditional narratives. Each entry below gives Thompson's motif reference and the description recorded in the index.
The index is large, so this browser displays 250 entries per page. You can search by motif reference or by words in the description, restrict the results to one of Thompson's main letter categories, and click motif references mentioned inside descriptions to follow cross-references. Individual motif pages also show any ATU tale types whose concordance explicitly cites that Thompson reference.
All
A
Mythological Motifs
B
Animal Motifs
C
Motifs of Tabu
D
Magic
E
The Dead
F
Marvels
G
Ogres
H
Tests
J
The Wise and the Foolish
K
Deceptions
L
Reversals of Fortune
M
Ordaining the Future
N
Chance and Fate
P
Society
Q
Rewards and Punishments
R
Captives and Fugitives
S
Unnatural Cruelty
T
Sex
U
The Nature of Life
V
Religion
W
Traits of Character
X
Humor
Z
Miscellaneous Groups of Motifs
| Thompson reference | Description ▲ |
|---|---|
| A2335.2.3 | Why raven has nose marked as if it had been broken off. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 225. |
| A2441.2.1 | Why raven hops. Jewish. Neuman. |
| A2317.5 | Why raven is bald. Dh III 13.—Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 221. |
| A2455.3 | Why raven is thief. Because he has none of ten commandments and carries a black stamp on his breast.—Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 90 No. 84. |
| A2486.1 | Why raven lays eggs in March. (See A2251.1.) |
| A2435.4.3 | Why raven suffers thirst. (See A2234.1.) |
| A2371.2.3 | Why ravens have crooked legs and walk lame. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 226. |
| A2385.2 | Why red dog's excrement contains animal hair. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2510.1 | Why reindeer has so many qualities. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 86 No. 58e. |
| A2771.4.1 | Why rice has ears only at top. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 130 No. 86. |
| A2793.7 | Why rice is so abundant. Chinese: Graham. |
| A2536.2 | Why ring-dove brings good luck. Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 353 No. 7. |
| A2353.2 | Why robin has red breast. (See A2221.2.2.)—Breton: Sébillot RTP III 157. |
| A976 | Why rocks at river are covered with moss. Jamaica Negro: Beckwith MAFLS XVII 259 No. 49. |
| A1674.2 | Why Russians like thefts and robberies. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 100. |
| A1683.1.1 | Why Russians wear red shirts. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 99. |
| A1683.1 | Why Russians wear their shirts outside their breeches. Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 142 No. 24. |
| A2771.3 | Why sago bears fruit from the stem. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2791.10 | Why sago palm gives abundant sap. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2412.4.2.1 | Why salmon has purple belly. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2378.9.1.1 | Why salmon has tapering tail. Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 146, Boberg. |
| A1196 | Why salt disappeared from forests. S. Am. Indian (Yuracare): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 503. |
| A2524.2 | Why sandpiper (machetis pugnax) fights. Finnish: Aarne FFC XXXIII 54 No. 104**. |
| A1422.1.1 | Why Santals eat entrails of hare. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A1689.4 | Why Saora wave axes and swords and shout while dancing. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2791.8 | Why sap comes from top of palm. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1119.1 | Why sea is blue. New Guinea: Ker 25. |
| A1119.2 | Why sea waters are warm: kept so by Leviathan. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2325.8 | Why serpent has no ears. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2341.3.1 | Why serpent's mouth is closed. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2853 | Why sexes differ in form and temperament. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2422.2 | Why sheep do not speak. Curse of Virgin Mary. (See A2231). —Sébillot RTP II 492. |
| A2371.2.1 | Why sheep has thin legs. (See A2231.7.2.)—Dh II 91. |
| A2555.1 | Why sheep is a good runner. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 231. |
| A2322.5 | Why sheep may keep wool which grows on his forehead. (See A2255.1.) |
| A2221.9 | Why sheep walk with bowed heads: they have remained so after having bowed to God. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2344.3.1 | Why sheep's tongue is black. Kaska: Teit JAFL XXX 430. |
| A2468.1 | Why shrew dies on road. (See A2233.1.3.) |
| A2522.2 | Why shrike is disliked. Sébillot RTP III 159. |
| A2522.4 | Why skunk is disliked. Inca: Krickeberg Märchen der Azteken und Inkaperuaner 254. |
| A2433.2.1.1 | Why small ants live in houses while driver ants must live in bush. Africa (Congo): Weeks Jungle 260f. |
| A2441.4.1 | Why snake does not go on the road. (See A2233.1.2.) |
| A2371.3.1 | Why snake has no legs. (See A2234.2, A2236.2.1, A2241.8.)—Dh I 116, 207, 216, 219f.—Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2483.1 | Why snake sheds skin. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 88 No. 110a; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2311.9 | Why snakes and lizards change skins. (See A2250.2.) |
| A2523.2 | Why snakes are proud. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2532.1 | Why snakes are venomous. (Cf. A2235.)—Choctaw: Alexander N. Am. 64; India: Thompson-Balys; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2434.1.3 | Why snowbirds are everywhere. Pueblo: Parsons JAFL XXXI 218. |
| A2871 | Why soil in certain country is poor. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2474 | Why some animals continually shake head. |
| A2326.2 | Why some animals have no horns. |
| A2442.1.1 | Why some birds cannot fly high. Dh III 230. |
| A2444.1 | Why some fish swim deep; others shallow. (See A2238.3.) |
| A2795.1 | Why some flowers have no scent. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1375.1 | Why some married people quarrel and accuse each other of infidelity. Kaska: Teit JAFL XXX 456. |
| A1650.3.1 | Why some men are good basket-makers. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1174.2 | Why some nights are dark and some light. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2791.7 | Why some trees have no fruit. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2211.4 | Why some whales die on land: first whale did so. Tuamotu Stimson MS (z—G 13/320). |
| A1372.6 | Why some women are good-looking. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 220. |
| A2793.3 | Why some yams are good, some bad. (See A2741.2.) |
| A2771.7 | Why sorrel grows on certain rock every winter. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2522.1 | Why sparrow is disliked. Sébillot RTP III 159. |
| A2431.3.7.1 | Why sparrow may build nest near people's houses; reward for hospitality. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2536.3 | Why spider brings good luck. Africa (Fang): Einstein 99. (Cf. A523.1.) |
| A2356.3.4 | Why spider has markings on back. Kaska: Teit JAFL XXX 241. |
| A2355.1.1 | Why spider has small waist. Dh III 36ff. |
| A2356.2.8 | Why spider has thread in back of body. (See A2231.6.) |
| A2542.2 | Why spider is cursed. (See A2231.5.) |
| A2433.5.3.1 | Why spider lives under stones. Africa: Meinhof 209. |
| A2862 | Why spirits are invisible. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2462.1 | Why squirrel barks when attacked. Dh III 237. |
| A2433.3.9 | Why squirrel lives in tree. Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 358 No. 11. |
| A2433.3.9.1 | Why squirrel stays hidden in jungle. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2343.3.1 | Why starling's beak is split. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2335.2.5 | Why steer has no hair on his nose. (See A2221.5.1.) |
| A2494.14.3 | Why stinging flies sit on eyes of cattle. Wakweli: Bender 64. |
| A975 | Why stones became hard. By God's order. (Cf. A968.1.)—Schmidt DF XXXIX 36; von Sydow Folkeminder och Folktankar VI 73; Fb "Adam" IV 3a.—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 3 No. 3; Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 139 Nr. 2; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 80 Nos. 3, 4.—Oceanic: Beckwith Myth 88. |
| A975.1.1 | Why stones no longer grow: punishment for injuring foot of holy person. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3015. Legends Nos. 19, 25. |
| A975.1 | Why stones no longer grow. Devil sows stones; God sends cold to prevent their growing. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3015, Legends Nos. 16f. |
| A2411.2.5.3.1 | Why stork has black back. Lithuanian: Balys Legends Nos. 233, 236, 238f., 243ff. |
| A2541.2 | Why stork is holy. (See A2221.5.)—Dh III 286; Sébillot RTP III 128. |
| A2452.2 | Why stork must hunt for living. Dh III 284ff. |
| A2367.1.1 | Why sucker has small bones in body. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 242. |
| A1177 | Why sun shines on Saturday (Friday). *Dh II 30.—Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 83 No. 9c; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A733.1 | Why sunlight is so much stronger than moonlight. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2536.1 | Why swallow brings good luck. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 86 No. 84a. |
| A2431.3.5.1 | Why swallow does not like green trees for her nest. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3145, Legends No. 272. |
| A2378.8.6 | Why swallow has black feathers in tail and only two feathers. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2378.5.1 | Why swallow has forked tail. (See A2214.1.) Dh III 54.—Cf. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 87 No. 85; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3100, Legends Nos. 28, 192, 262. |
| A2344.2.3 | Why swallow has no tongue. Dh III 29. |
| A2455.2 | Why swallow is thief. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 87 No. 84b. |
| A2422.9 | Why swallows lost voice. (See A2231.2.2.) |
| A2482.1 | Why swallows migrate. Dh III 258.—Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 16 No. 86; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 87 No. 86. |
| A2317.1 | Why swine's belly is bare. Dh III 10. |
| A2378.8.2 | Why tail of West African grey parrot is red. Ibo (Nigeria): Basden 276. |
| A2751.4.3 | Why tamarind bark is black. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2791.5 | Why tamarind fruit is sour. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2769.1 | Why tamarind leaves are small. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2335.3.2 | Why tapir has long nose. S. Am. Indian (Yagua): Steward-Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 736. |
| A2764.1 | Why taro leaves are hollow. Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 229. |
| A1689.10 | Why the Agaria are cultivators. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1681.4 | Why the Agaria eat rats. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2756 | Why the bamboo has nodes. India: *Thompson-Balys. |
| A2791.12 | Why the bija tree is often struck by lightning. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1319.7 | Why the center of man's eye is black: blackened by spirits to make themselves invisible. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2433.2.4.1 | Why the chimpanzee lives with men. Africa (Duala): Lederbogen Märchen 146ff. |
| A1676.1 | Why the Chittagongs are not as brave as they used to be. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2321.10.1 | Why the cock's comb becomes white when he is angry. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2432.10 | Why the elephant lives without a hut. Wakweli: Bender 82f. |
| A1599.4 | Why the face must be wiped dry after washing. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3070; Legends No. 122. |
| A1689.3 | Why the Gond and Baiga are omnivorous. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2322.6 | Why the gorilla and chimpanzee have hair all over the body. Punishment for not guarding possessions at creation. Bulu: Krug 111f. |
| A2375.2.10 | Why the guinea fowl has red feet. Cheated and could not stand the ordeal of hot oil poured on his feet. Cameroon: Mansfield 226. |
| A1673.1 | Why the Haidas surpass in certain industries. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 213. |
| A2772.3 | Why the heartsease (polygonum persicaria) has red stripes. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 90 No. 129a. |
| A2479.4 | Why the hedgehog draws himself up: shame at sight of a good man. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges. |
| A1689.5 | Why the Kamar offer liquor to gods and spirits. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2721.6 | Why the mogli flower and the lime are cursed by gods. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A759.3 | Why the moon is pale. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1681.3 | Why the Muria eat snakes. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1671.1 | Why the negro works. S. Carolina Negro: Davis JAFL XXVII 244; N. Carolina Negro: Brown Collection I 633; Africa (Cameroon): Mansfield 225. |
| A1319.4 | Why the posterior of man is large. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 35. |
| A2791.13 | Why the roots of the banyan hang down. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2755.2.1 | Why the saja tree has no sap. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1115.1 | Why the sea is salt: because of wrecked salt ship.—Fb "hav" I 565b, IV 203a.—Dutch: Volkskunde XVII 23. |
| A1115.3 | Why the sea is salt: heavy rain showers on ashes of wood burnt by primeval fire. S. Am. Indian (Tupi): Ehrenreich 16, (Tupinamba): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 133. |
| A1115.2 | Why the sea is salt: magic salt mill. Stolen by sea-captain, who takes it aboard and orders it to grind. It will stop only for its master; ship sinks and mill keeps grinding salt.—*Type 565; *BP II 438ff.—Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 283; cf. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 108. |
| A1115 | Why the sea is salt. New Guinea: Ker 25; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 43. |
| A702.4 | Why the sky is blue. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A625.2.2 | Why the sky receded upward: it was struck by a woman's pestle. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A739.5 | Why the sun is red. India: Thompson-Balys; Africa (Kamerun): Mansfield 235. |
| A1661.2 | Why the white man has short hair. Cheyenne: Campbell JAFL XXIX 408. |
| A1422.3 | Why the wild boar is hunted by man for food: once a faithless wife killed by her husband. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2335.4.5 | Why the wolf's muzzle is black. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3087, Legends No. 147. |
| A2755.4.1 | Why there are knots on the saja tree. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2434.2.3 | Why there are no snakes in Ireland. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A1316.3.2 | Why there are one-eyed women. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 104. |
| A2434.3.2 | Why there are wild turkeys in a certain Pueblo town. Pueblo: Parsons JAFL XXXI 235. |
| A2585 | Why there is enmity between certain animals and man. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2371.2.5 | Why there is meat in front of the caribou's lower legs. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 217. |
| A937 | Why there is no mist on a certain river: fanned away with a pair of eagle's wings. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2433.6.9 | Why thousand-legged worm avoids sun. Africa (Wakweli): Bender 61. |
| A2577 | Why tiger cannot come down a tree head foremost. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2257.1 | Why tiger does not attack wild boar until latter is old: result of duel. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2435.3.9.4 | Why tiger eats buffalo. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2581 | Why tiger lacks some qualities of cats: cat, his teacher, omitted to teach him all he knew. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2433.3.21 | Why tiger lives in jungle. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2499.1 | Why tigers do not kill women who run away after quarreling with their husbands. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2435.3.9.1 | Why tigers eat dogs. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2435.3.9.3 | Why tigers eat human flesh. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2435.3.9.2 | Why tigers eat uncooked food. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2751.2.3 | Why tinsa tree has no bark at bottom of trunk. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2378.8.4 | Why tip of ermine's tail is black. (See A2218.) Dh III 74. |
| A2378.8.3 | Why tip of weasel's tail is black. Plains Ojibwa: Skinner JAFL XXXII 290. |
| A2344.2.4 | Why titmouse has no tongue. Dh III 28. |
| A2468.2 | Why toad dries up when dead. (See A2231.8.)—Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2375.2.9 | Why toad has no thumbs. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2332.5.4 | Why toad has red eyes. Dh III 60.—Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2433.6.7 | Why toad lives in cold place. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2412.5.2 | Why toads have warts on their backs. (Cf. A2356.2.)—India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2356.2.9 | Why tortoise has humpy back. (See A2213.2.2.)—Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2422.4 | Why tortoise has no voice. (See A2421.4.)—Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 378. |
| A2378.4.4 | Why tortoise has short tail. (See A2216.4.)—Dh III 52ff.—Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2433.6.1.1 | Why tortoise lives in logs in stream. (See A2282.)—Benga Nassau 139, 207 Nos. 15, 32. |
| A2351.5 | Why tortoise's neck is outstretched toward the sky: is looking for his wife, the star. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2343.2.2 | Why toucan's beak is black. S. Am. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 178. |
| A2771.8 | Why tree has bitter fruit. |
| A2791.1 | Why trees do not talk. All ask to be spared when man begins cutting them. Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 151 No. 75; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 94 No. 107; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3215, Legends No. 302f.; India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2774 | Why trees remain fixed. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2457.1 | Why tumble-bug rolls in dung. Jamaica Negro: Beckwith MAFLS XVII 258 No. 46. |
| A2332.5.5 | Why turkey has red eyes. Dh III 61. |
| A2466.2 | Why turtle beats with forelegs when caught. Gold Coast: Barker and Sinclair 87 No. 15. |
| A2433.6.1.2 | Why turtle lays eggs on beach. (Cf. A2486.)—Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 22. |
| A2521.1 | Why turtle-dove is sad. Sébillot RTP III 159. |
| A1555.3 | Why umbrellas are used to welcome bride to new home. Chinese: Graham. |
| A2761.2 | Why vine-leaves are hand-shaped. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 91 No. 132b. |
| A2317.7 | Why vulture is bald. Dh. III 14.—Menomini: Skinner und Satterlee PaAm XIII 78; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 161. |
| A2479.1 | Why wagtail moves tail up and down. Dh III 226. |
| A2432.2 | Why wasp has nest. Dh III 189. |
| A2531.1 | Why water serpents are not venomous. (Cf. A2532.1.)—India: Thompson-Balys; Pueblo: Parsons JAFL XXXI 250; Congo: Weeks 213 No. 9. |
| A2356.2.5 | Why water-hen has broad back. Plains Cree: Skinner JAFL XXIX 349. |
| A2332.5.3 | Why water-hen has red eyes. Plains Cree: Skinner JAFL XXIX 349. |
| A915 | Why waters do not engulf the earth. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1854.1 | Why we have rats: one escapes from slaughter of rats. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2493.35 | Why we know that the parrot comforts and helps man. Africa (Wakweli): Bender 70. |
| A2411.1.2.1.1 | Why weasel is part black. Chinese: Graham. |
| A2411.1.2.1 | Why weasel is white with dark tip to tail. Plains Cree: Skinner JAFL XXIX 350. |
| A2320.1.1 | Why weaver bird's head is small. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2776.2 | Why weeping-willow is cursed. Flemish: DeMeyer XXXVII 91 No. 132d. |
| A2793.2.1 | Why wheat must be planted in one year and harvested in the next. Chinese: Graham. |
| A2522.3 | Why white ants are a pest. Africa (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 67 No. 7. |
| A2422.3 | Why white crow is dumb. Hottentot: Bleek 45 No. 22. |
| A2332.5.7 | Why wild duck has red eyes. Dances for trickster. *Dh III 61. |
| A2545.5 | Why wild pigs ravage rice-fields. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2435.3.15 | Why wildcats come and eat chickens. Chinese: Graham. |
| A2771.10 | Why willow flowers do not bear fruit. Chinese: Graham. |
| A2356.2.2 | Why wolf has straight back. (See A2211.3.)—Dh III 43. |
| A2455.1 | Why wolf is thief. Dh III 295. |
| A2433.3.14 | Why wolf lives in woods. Africa (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 153 No. 29. |
| A2356.3.3 | Why wolverine has peculiar marks on back. Kaska: Teit JAFL XXX 458. |
| A2364.1 | Why wolverine has red hair on loins. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 248. |
| A2455.5 | Why wolverine is a thief. Kaska: Teit JAFL XXX 470f. |
| A1557 | Why woman is master of her husband. (Cf. A1372.9.) Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 98. |
| A1371 | Why women are bad. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1372.5 | Why women are deceitful. Kaska: Teit JAFL XXX 462. |
| A1589.1 | Why women are disqualified as witness in court. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A1372.1 | Why women are prattlers. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 83 No. 11a. |
| A1372.3 | Why women are roving. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 73; Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 114. |
| A1372.9 | Why women are subservient to men. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 70ff.; India: Thompson-Balys; S. Am. Indian (Munderucú): Horton BBAE CXLIII (3) 282. |
| A1373 | Why women attract men. |
| A1551 | Why women do not woo. Esthonian: FFC XXV 142 No. 18; Jewish: Neuman; S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 54. |
| A1372.4 | Why women have a treble voice. Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 141 No. 13; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 84 No. 34. |
| A1310.4 | Why women have marks on the belly. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1372.10 | Why women keep washing themselves. St. Andrew, sent to get salt to keep people clean, gets drunk and forgets. There is only enough for men.—Venezuela: Dominguez Collection II No. 33 (Archive of Venezuelan Institute of Folklore). |
| A1372.2 | Why women laugh much. When Eve sees her first child she laughs over its smallness.—Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 141 No. 16. |
| A1372.8 | Why women never have leisure. Because they refused to show God the way, saying they had no time.—Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3046, Balys Legends Nos 74-78. |
| A1599.3 | Why women wear veils in India. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2456.2 | Why wood-worm bores wood. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 243. |
| A2332.5.6 | Why wooddove has green eyes. Dh III 61. |
| A2456.1 | Why woodpecker bores in wood. Am. Negro (North Carolina): Brown Collection I 633; Jamaica Negro: Beckwith MAFLS XVII 259 No. 53. |
| A2343.3.2 | Why woodpecker has sharp beak. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2332.6.4 | Why worm is blind. (See A2284.3.)—Japanese: Ikeda. |
| A2482.3 | Why wren does not migrate. Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 87 No. 86a. |
| A2435.4.11.1 | Why wren eats no berries. Africa (Wakweli): Bender 69f. |
| A2522.6 | Why wren is disliked. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2794.2 | Why yams are small but plentiful in certain place. New Hebrides: Codrington No. II 3. |
| A2313.5 | Why young ravens have white feathers. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2332.3.2 | Why zabi's eyes are narrow: because he laughs so hard. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A2325.5 | Why zebra has long ears. Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 368 No. 19. |
| A2478.1 | Why zebra is continually eating. Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 369 No. 19. |
| A2341.2.2 | Why zebra's mouth is large. Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 368 No. 19. |
| A1687.1 | Why Zuсi girls rub flour on their faces as they grind. Zuсi: Parsons JAFL XXIX 394. |
| A1002.1 | Widespread calamity when feast of John the Baptist shall fall on certain day. Irish myth: Cross. |
| A2294 | Wild animals lose their ferocity through fear of Behemoth. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2531.0.1 | Wild animals lose their ferocity. Jewish: Neuman. (Cf. A2295.) |
| A165.2.1.1 | Wild beasts as messengers of the gods. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A2442.2.7 | Wild-goose's flight. Dh III 223. |
| A2213.2.1 | Wildcat's (Lynx's) face mashed in. (Cf. A2230.1.)—Dh III 5, 6.—N. Am. Indian: *Thompson Tales 300 n. 99; Australian: Dixon 290 (wombat). |
| A2817.2 | Will-o'-the-wisp is girl cursed by her mother for gathering plants for dyestuffs on Sunday. Will-o'-the-wisp is seen where girl disappeared. Scotland: Baughman. |
| A2632.1 | Willow shelters Holy Family: becomes weeping willow. (Cf. A2681.1.)—Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 91 No. 132c. |
| A1122.2 | Wind a bird dwelling in mountain-hole. Bushman: Bleek and Lloyd 107. |
| A1125.1 | Wind caused by flapping of ears of giant. Peigan: Uhlenbeck Verhandelingen der Koninklijke Akademie van Wetenshappen XIII (1) 64. |
| A1126 | Wind caused by wind-god's movements. When the son of the wind lies down, the wind blows.—Bushman: Bleek and Lloyd 101ff. |
| A1122.4 | Wind comes through holes in sky when gut covering is cut. Eskimo (Bering Strait): Nelson RBAE XVIII 498. |
| A199.4 | Wind drives buffaloes for god. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A1129.3 | Wind is blind. India: Thompson-Balys. |
| A282.0.2 | Wind-angel. Jewish: Neuman. |
| A282 | Wind-god. Greek: Grote I 287; Icel.: MacCulloch Eddic 40ff. (Odin), 102 (Njord), De la Saussaye 225; Hindu: Keith 37, 40; India: *Thompson-Balys.—Penzer IV 110 n. 4, VIII 163 n.; Siberian: Holmberg Siberian 457; Finno-Ugric: Holmberg Finno-Ugric 232; Chinese: Ferguson 73.—Maori: Dixon 32; Marshall Is.: Davenport 222; Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 86, 121.—Eskimo: Rasmussen Myter I 99—102; S. Am. Indian (Arua): Lévi-Strauss BBAE CXLIII (3) 379; Bushman: Bleek and Lloyd 101. |
| A282.0.1 | Wind-goddess. Eskimo: Rasmussen Myter I 100, Holm 95. |
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