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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.

509 motifs

Page 1 of 3 · 250 per page
Thompson reference ▲ Description
R0 Captivity.
R1 Wild man captured and tamed. *Dickson 116 n. 44, 122; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 319 n. 152.
R2 God holds the devil captive for three years. Dh. I 184.
R3 King imprisons another king's embassy. Thien Motive 10.
R4 Surprise capture. Irish myth: *Cross.
R4.1 Enemy surprised while bathing: taken. Irish myth: *Cross.
R5 Capture on field of battle. Irish myth: Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Jewish: Neuman.
R5.1 Enemy host imprisoned by earthen walls thrown up by hero's chariot wheels. Irish myth: *Cross.
R5.2 Hero captured by being pressed between shields from all sides. Icelandic: *Boberg.
R6 Messenger of Death imprisoned. India: Thompson-Balys.
R7 Men held captive in the Land of Women. (Cf. F112.) India: Thompson-Balys.
R8 Gods captured. India: *Thompson-Balys.
R9 Captivity—miscellaneous.
R9.1 Sun captured.
R9.1.1 Sun captured during visit to earth. India: Thompson-Balys.
R9.1.2 Sun and Moon captured by creditor, thus causing eclipse. India: Thompson-Balys.
R9.1.3 Sun and Moon imprison each other. India: Thompson-Balys.
R9.2 Grain and pulse in human form imprisoned by wicked king. India: Thompson-Balys.
R9.3 Ogress captured and reformed. India: Thompson-Balys.
R9.4 Fire-maiden imprisoned in iron house. India: Thompson-Balys.
R9.5 Cow imprisoned until it promises not to eat men. India: Thompson-Balys.
R9.6 King imprisons all living creatures. India: Thompson-Balys.
R10 Abduction. **Feilberg Bjærgtagen (København, 1910), Nissens Historie; **Hdwb. d. Märchens I 541ff.; Irish myth: *Cross; Jewish: *Neuman; N. A. Indian (California): Gayton and Newman 86, (Zuсi): Benedict II 334.
R10.1 Princess (maiden) abducted. (Cf. R11.1, R12.1, R13.1, R16.1, R17.1, R25.1, R31.) *Types 301, 302, 311, 312; *Hdwb. d. Märchens I 553b nn. 296—315; Feilberg Bjærgtagen (København 1910).—Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "princesse"; Spanish: Espinosa II No. 133—135; Italian Novella: Rotunda; Greek: Grote I 156; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham; Indonesia: DeVries's list No. 220.
R10.1.1 Maiden abducted by soldiers. Italian Novella: *Rotunda.
R10.1.2 Lover abducts maiden from cruel father and brother. Italian Novella: Rotunda.
R10.2 Pretended abduction. Adulterous wife plots own abduction by paramour. Irish myth: Cross.
R10.3 Children abducted. Icelandic: Boberg.
R10.4 Hero abducted by witch who loves him. Icelandic: Boberg.
R10.4.1 Abduction of bridegroom and killing of his bride planned as giantess's revenge. Icelandic: Lagerholm 56—58, Boberg.
R11 Abduction by monster (ogre). (Cf. G440.) **Feilberg Bjærgtagen (København, 1910); Spanish: Espinosa II Nos. 133—135, III Nos. 141f.; India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 129, 1060; S. A. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 39.
R11.1 Princess (maiden) abducted by monster (ogre). (Cf. R10.1.) *Types 301, 302, 311, 312; *BP I 398, 404, II 301, 317, III 434; Hdwb. d. Märchens I 544b, 547a nn. 60—79, 140—174; *Fb "brud" IV 64b.—Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Missouri French: Carrière; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham; Korean: Zong in-Sob 221 No. 98; Japanese: Dixon 215 n. 17; Eskimo (Smith Sound): Kroeber JAFL XII 167; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 341f. nn. 228, 228a, 231, 235.
R11.1.1 Abduction of girl by half bestial man (hair on body, nails of dog). India: *Thompson-Balys.
R11.2 Abduction by devil.
R11.2.1 Devil carries off wicked people. Scala Celi 6b, 43a, 54b, 77b Nos. 39, 246, 306, 441; Fb "fanden" I 267a; Irish: O'Suilleabhain 55, Beal XXI 322; Finnish-Swedish: Wessman 13 Nos. 116, 118; Spanish Exempla: Keller; West Indies: Flowers 571.
R11.2.1.1 Devil carries off emperor because of his many murders. Spanish Exempla: Keller.
R11.2.2 Abduction by demon. India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera II 507, 1053; Tuamotu: Stimson MS (z-G. 3/1386).
R11.2.2.1 Abduction by Echo. India: Thompson-Balys.
R11.3 Abduction by giant. (Cf. F531, G100.) English romance: Malory V 5; Icelandic: *Boberg; India: *Thompson-Balys; Korean: Zong in-Sob 166 No. 72; N. A. Indian (Zuсi): Benedict II 334.
R12 Abduction by pirates.
R12.1 Maiden abducted by pirates (robbers). (Cf. R10.1.) *Reinhard PMLA XXXVIII 465; Irish myth: *Cross; Italian Novella: *Rotunda; India: *Thompson-Balys; Buddhist myth: Malalasekera I 981.
R12.2 Man abducted by pirates. French Canadian: Sister Marie Ursule; Italian Novella: *Rotunda.
R12.2.1 Child abducted by robbers and brought up in their ways. Later becomes wealthy and law-abiding. Irish myth: Cross.
R12.3 Lovers abducted by pirates. Italian Novella: *Rotunda.
R12.4 Girl enticed into boat and abducted. India: *Thompson-Balys.
R13 Abduction by animal. Chinese: Graham.
R13.0.1 Children carried off by animals. *Hibbard 270 n. 10, 276; Irish myth: *Cross.
R13.1 Abduction by wild beast.
R13.1.1 Baboons abduct boy. Africa (Hottentot): Bleek 42.
R13.1.2 Lion carries off child. Italian Novella: *Rotunda.
R13.1.3 Rhinoceros carries off man. India: Thompson-Balys.
R13.1.4 Abduction by tiger.
R13.1.4.1 Tiger abducts man. India: Thompson-Balys.
R13.1.4.2 Abduction of woman by tiger. India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham; S. A. Indian (Chiriguano): Métraux RMLP XXXIII 142.
R13.1.4.2.1 Tigers abduct princess to be wife of their human ward. India: *Thompson-Balys.
R13.1.5 Wolf abducts person. Irish myth: *Cross.
R13.1.6 Girl abducted by bear and made his wife. India: Thompson-Balys.
R13.1.7 Abduction by monkey.
R13.1.7.1 Girl carried off by monkeys. India: Thompson-Balys.
R13.1.8 Abduction by rabbit. India: Thompson-Balys.
R13.1.9 Abduction by leopard. India: Thompson-Balys.
R13.1.10 Abduction by elephant. India: Thompson-Balys.
R13.1.11 Abduction by fox. India: Thompson-Balys.
R13.2 Abduction by domestic beast.
R13.2.1 Girl carried off by ram. (Cf. R10.1.) Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "bélier".
R13.2.2 Bull carries off devil after he has tried to deceive God. (Cf. A60.) Dh I 35.
R13.2.3 Abduction by cat. Irish myth: *Cross.
R13.2.3.1 Abduction by goddess's cat. India: Thompson-Balys.
R13.3 Person carried off by bird. German: Grimm No. 51; India: *Thompson-Balys; Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 183, 201; N. A. Indian (California): Gayton and Newman 79; Africa (Yoruba): Frobenius Atlantis X 222ff. No. 14.
R13.3.1 Abduction by ravens. Irish myth: Cross.
R13.3.2 Eagle carries off youth. Greek: Fox 240 (Ganymede); Japanese: Ikeda.
R13.4 Abduction by reptile.
R13.4.1 Abduction by snake. India: *Thompson-Balys.
R14 Deity (demigod) abducts person. Greek: Grote I 35, 83, 261; India: *Thompson-Balys; Philippine (Tinguian): Cole 183.
R16 Abduction by transformed person.
R16.1 Maiden abducted by transformed hero. (Cf. D658, D2121.7, R10.1.) *Type 516; Rösch FFC LXXVII 112; Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 57 No. 425.
R16.2 Child carried off by werwolf. (Cf. D113.1.1.) Hibbard 216.
R16.3 Woman abducted by (transformed) fairy. Irish myth: *Cross.
R16.4 Abduction by tiger-man. India: Thompson-Balys.
R16.5 Abduction by elephant-man. India: Thompson-Balys.
R17 Abduction by whirlwind. (Cf. D1520.28.) Hartland Science 175; Icelandic: Boberg; Japanese: Ikeda; Africa (Basuto): Jacottet 160 No. 23.
R17.1 Whirlwind carries princess away. (Cf. R10.1.) *Fb "hvirvelvind" I 708.
R18 Abduction by rejected suitor. Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg.
R22 Abduction by giving soporific. Irish myth: Cross.
R22.1 Abduction by giving soporific and rolling up in a cloak. *Chauvin V 23 No. 13 n. 2.
R22.2 Abduction by means of sleep-giving music. Irish myth: Cross.
R23 Abduction with aid of magic mask which renders invisible. (Cf. D1361.32.) Irish myth: Cross.
R24 Abductor in disguise. (Cf. K1310.) India: Thompson-Balys.
R24.1 Prince disguised as holy man abducts princess. India: Thompson-Balys.
R24.2 Princely suitor in minstrel disguise carries princess away. India: Thompson-Balys.
R25 Abduction through underground passage.
R25.1 Princess abducted through underground passage. (Cf. R10.1.) *Type 516; Rösch FFC LXXVII 102; BP I 46ff.; Icelandic: Boberg.
R31 Light extinguished and woman stolen. (Cf. R10.1.) Icelandic: *Boberg; N. A. Indian: *Thompson Tales 343 n. 237.
R32 Abduction by stealing clothes of bathers. Africa (Cameroon): Lederbogen Märchen II 122f. No. 9.
R33 Fairy physician abducted to heal wounded mortals. (Cf. F344.) Irish myth: Cross.
R35 Abducted princess gives birth to child. Icelandic: *Boberg.
R39 Abduction—miscellaneous.
R39.1 Abduction by magician. India: Thompson-Balys.
R39.2 Abduction by old woman. India: Thompson-Balys.
R40 Places of captivity. Missouri French: Carrière.
R41 Captivity in tower (castle, prison).
R41.1 Captivity in castle. *Type 400; English: Wells 66 (Ywain and Gawain); Irish myth: *Cross; India: *Thompson-Balys.
R41.1.1 Captivity in subterranean palace. India: Thompson-Balys.
R41.2 Captivity in tower. *Type 310; Dickson 198 n. 8; Irish myth: *Cross; Italian: Basile Pentamerone II No. 1, IV No. 6, Rotunda; India: *Thompson-Balys.
R41.2.1 Slandered wife is locked in tower for forty days. If no champion appears, she is to be burned. Former suitor rescues her. Spanish: Childers.
R41.2.2 Captivity in bower. Irish myth: *Cross.
R41.3 Captivity in dungeon. Irish myth: *Cross; English: Wells 22 (Sir Beues of Hamtoun); Jewish: Neuman.
R41.3.1 Prison filled with snakes. (Cf. Q465.1.) *Boje 92; Hdwb. d. Märchens I 436b nn. 183—198; Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman.
R41.3.2 Prison with stream of water in it. Boje 93.
R41.3.3 Prison floor with spikes in it. Boje 91ff.
R41.3.4 Captivity in well. India: Thompson-Balys.
R41.4 Groom as prisoner in his and giantess's bridal chamber. (Cf. R41.5.) Icelandic: *Boberg.
R41.5 Abducted princess fettered in hall with 100 doors. Bridal bed for her and giant in the midst. (Cf. R111.2.3.) Icelandic: Boberg.
R41.5.1 Queen kept in palace of forty doors, each of them watched by a dog. Africa (Dahome): Einstein 25.
R41.6 Captivity in a pillar. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges.
R41.7 Captivity in cages. (Cf. Q433.1.) Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges; Jewish: Neuman.
R42 Captivity in sunken valley. Irish myth: *Cross.
R43 Captivity on island. Irish myth: *Cross; India: *Thompson-Balys.
R45 Captivity in mound (cave, hollow hill). *Type 870; *BP III 443ff., 450; *Fb "höj" I 740b, 741; **Liungman Traditionsstudie över sagan om prinsessan i jordkulan (Göteborg, 1925). — Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg; Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 54 No. 405*A; India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham.
R45.1 Man confined under roots of tree. N. A. Indian (Seneca): CurtinHewitt RBAE XXXII 705 No. 135.
R45.2 Imprisonment in lion's den. Italian: Basile Pentamerone III No. 5; Missouri French: Carrière; Spanish Exempla: Keller; Jewish: Neuman.
R45.3 Captivity in cave.
R45.3.1 Bear keeps human wife captive in cave with stone at entrance. India: *Thompson-Balys.
R46 Captivity under water. India: *Thompson-Balys.
R47 Captivity in lower world. India: Thompson-Balys.
R49 Other places of captivity.
R49.1 Captivity in tree. India: Thompson-Balys.
R49.2 Captivity in an oven. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges.
R49.3 Ogre seizes girl and puts her in a drum. Africa (Luba): DeClerq ZsKS IV 225.
R50 Conditions of captivity.
R51 Mistreatment of prisoners. Irish myth: Cross.
R51.1 Prisoners starved. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman.
R51.2 Prisoners confined in chains. Irish myth: *Cross; Jewish: Neuman.
R51.3 Prisoners mutilated. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman.
R51.4 Prisoner massacred. Jewish: Neuman.
R53 Captivity as refuge for the captive. Type 870.
R53.1 Woman hidden in underground chamber or mud cabin. (Cf. R45.) Icelandic: *Boberg.
R53.2 Woman hidden in sacred place which her lover is not supposed to dare to enter. Icelandic: *Boberg.
R53.3 Girl locked up in order to postpone wedding. Icelandic: Göngu-Hrуlfs saga 306.
R53.4 Faithful servant locks his master and his friend up in a little house built from wood from their wrecked ships; they falsely think themselves betrayed. Icelandic: Boberg.
R54 Hero locked up while his father is murdered. Icelandic: Boberg.
R61 Person sold into slavery. *Types 506, 888; Italian Novella: *Rotunda; Jewish: Neuman; Africa (Fang): Einstein 151.
R70 Behavior of captives. Irish myth: *Cross.
R71 Captive prince joins captor out of gratitude for his freedom. (He had refused to promise that he would not fight again.) (Cf. W27.) Italian Novella: *Rotunda.
R72 Defiant prisoners refuse to accept grace even from their father unless it is granted them all. (Cf. M165.) Hdwb. d. Märchens II "Gnade ausbitten"; Icelandic: Boberg.
R74 Defeated warriors go into the conqueror's service. Icelandic: *Boberg.
R74.1 Defeated enemy turns conqueror's best friend. Icelandic: *Boberg.
R74.2 Defeated enemy's son turns conqueror's man. Icelandic: *Boberg.
R74.3 Defeated enemy holds rank and country when he promises to pay tax to conqueror. Icelandic: *Boberg.
R74.3.1 Imprisoned king's son released when he promises to be a faithful subject and pay tax. Icelandic: *Boberg.
R75 Surrendering.
R75.1 Defeated surrender their city. Icelandic: *Boberg.
R75.2 Warriors surrender after chief's death. Icelandic: Boberg.
R75.2.1 Warriors flee after chief's death. Icelandic: Boberg.
R81 Woman suckles imprisoned relative through prison wall. **Köhler-Bolte I 373, II 387; *Fb "datter" IV 94b; *DeCock Studien en Essays 23ff.; *Crane Vitry 232f. No. 238; *Oesterley No. 215; Herbert III 220; Alphabet No. 166; Scala Celi 39a No. 220; *Krappe Bulletin Hispanique XXXIX 28.—Spanish: Keller, Espinosa II No. 17; Jewish: Neuman.
R81.1 Woman suckles husband isolated on rock. Irish myth: Cross.
R82 Captive sends secret message outside (in orange or on handkerchief). India: *Thompson-Balys.
R83 Baker, disguised as old woman, substitutes for princess in cell when he brings bread to her. India: Thompson-Balys.
R84 Prisoner's sustenance from outside prison. (Cf. R81.) Jewish: *Neuman.
R85 Captive protected by angel from abductor. Jewish: *Neuman.
R100 Rescues.
R110 Rescue of captive.
R110.1 Goddess delivers and restores goods of man thrown into jail. India: Thompson-Balys.
R111 Rescue of captive maiden. (Cf. H1385.1, R10.1.) *Sparnaay 45ff.; Hdwb. d. Märchens I 550a nn. 219, 220, 554b; Breton: Sébillot Incidents s.v. "princesse"; French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 18; Spanish: Espinosa II Nos. 133—35, III Nos. 140, 143; India: *Thompson-Balys; N. A. Indian: Thompson CColl II 334ff.
R111.0.1 All man's property offered to rescuer of stolen daughter. India: Thompson-Balys.
R111.1 Princess (maiden) rescued from captor. India: *Thompson-Balys.
R111.1.1 Rescue of princess from ogre. See references to R11.1. Type 590; BP III 1; *Basset RTP III 562; English: Wells 64 (The Avowynge of King Arthur), 66 (Ywain and Gawain), 70 (Libeaus Disconus); Irish myth: *Cross: Spanish: Espinosa III No. 143; Italian: Basile Pentamerone IV No. 3; India: *Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Anesaki 307, 359; N. A. Indian (Zuсi): Benedict II 341.
R111.1.2 Princess rescued from robbers. *Types 506B, 970**; *BP III 490ff.; *Liljeblad Tobiasgeschichte; Icelandic: Boberg; Italian: Basile Pentamerone I No. 7; India: *Thompson-Balys.
R111.1.3 Rescue of princess (maiden) from dragon. *Types 300, 303; *Hartland Perseus III 1—65 passim; **Ranke FFC CXIV; *BP I 534; *Loomis White Magic 119. See also references to B11.10 and B11.11. — Icelandic: *Boberg; Missouri French: Carrière; Spanish: Espinosa II Nos. 133—135, Espinosa Jr. Nos. 68f.; Greek: *Frazer Apollodorus I 158 n. 3; India: *Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Ikeda.
R111.1.4 Rescue of princess (maiden) from giant (monster). (Cf. G100.) *Dickson 132 n. 106; *Brown Iwain 50 n. 1; Irish myth: *Cross; English: Wells 117 (Sir Torrent of Portyngale); Icelandic: *Boberg; India: Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Ikeda.
R111.1.5 Rescue of woman from snake-husband. (Cf. B604.1.) Jamaica: *Beckwith MAFLS XVII 272 No. 85.
R111.1.6 Princess ransomed from slavery. (Cf. R61.) *Type 506A; India: Thompson-Balys.
R111.1.6.1 Queen rescued from slavery. Irish myth: Cross.
R111.1.7 Rescue of princess (maiden) from magician. (Cf. D1711.) Irish myth: *Cross; Icelandic: *Boberg.
R111.1.8 Rescue of maidens from witches. (Cf. G200.) Icelandic: *Boberg.
R111.1.9 Princess rescued from undesired suitor. Icelandic: *Boberg.
R111.1.10 Rescue of princess (queen, maiden) from supernatural being who has won her at game of chance. Irish myth: *Cross.
R111.1.11 Maiden rescued from rakshasa. India: *Thompson-Balys.
R111.1.12 Princess rescued from captivity of elephant. India: Thompson-Balys.
R111.1.13 Rescue of girl from tigers. Chinese: Graham.
R111.1.13.1 Rescue of woman from bear's cave. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges; India: Thompson-Balys.
R111.2 Princess rescued from place of captivity. India: Thompson-Balys.
R111.2.1 Princess(es) rescued from lower world. *Type 301; *BP II 300; French Canadian: Barbeau JAFL XXIX 25; Missouri French: Carrière; Spanish: Espinosa II 133—135; India: Thompson-Balys; Indonesia: Dixon 215.
R111.2.1.1 Stolen woman rescued from lower world. India: Thompson-Balys.
R111.2.2 Rescue of princess from mountain. *Type 530; *BP III 111; Icelandic: De la Saussaye 143, 144 (Siegfried and Brunhilde).
R111.2.3 Princess rescued from giant's cave where she is fettered to a chair by the hair. (Cf. R41.5.) Icelandic: *Boberg.
R111.2.3.1 Rescue of earl's daughter from giant's cave where she is chained to the wall (a pillar). Icelandic: *Boberg.
R111.2.4 Princess rescued from temple where she is imprisoned. Icelandic: Bуsa saga 30ff ch. 8, 114ff ch. 12, Boberg.
R111.2.5 Girl rescued from tree. Chinese: Graham.
R111.3 Means of rescuing princess.
R111.3.1 Girl rescued by traveling through air. Jones PMLA XXIII 563; India: *Thompson-Balys.
R111.4 Hero returns rescued princess to her betrothed. Type 506; BP III 490ff.
R111.5 Nobleman rescues lady from treacherous servant. Italian Novella: Rotunda.
R111.6 Girl rescued and then abandoned. Types 300, 303; *Ranke FFC CXIV.
R111.7 Joint rescuers quarrel over rescued princess. Type 653; India: Thompson-Balys; Africa (Konde): Gemuseus und Berger ZsES XXIII 1ff., (Tanga): Nassau JAFL XXVIII 30ff. No. 5, (Vai): Ellis 200f. No. 18.
R111.8 Rescued person stolen from rescuer.
R111.8.1 Rescued woman stolen from rescuer by demon. India: Thompson-Balys.
R111.8.2 Rescued woman stolen from rescuer by other men. India: Thompson-Balys.
R112 Magic rescue of prisoner from mound. (Cf. R45.) *Fb "höj" I 740b; Irish myth: Cross; Spanish: Espinosa III No. 140; India: Thompson-Balys.
R112.1 Three blasts on horn before sunrise to rescue prisoner from mound. *Fb "höj" I 740b.
R112.2 Riding three times around hill to free captive confined within. Fb "ride" III 52b.
R112.3 Rescue of prisoners from fairy stronghold. Irish myth: *Cross.
R115 King transformed to parrot frees captured parrots. (Cf. D641.) *Fischer-Bolte 209.
R115.1 Husband transformed into mouse so he can enter cave-prison of his wife. India: Thompson-Balys.
R116 Rescue from robbers' den. (Cf. R111.1.2.) *Type 851; BP I 188ff.; French Canadian: Sister Marie Ursule; Jewish: Neuman; India: *Thompson-Balys.
R117 Rescue from being burned. (Cf. R175.) Icelandic: Lagerholm 117—18, *Boberg; Jewish: *Neuman.
R121 Means of rescue from prison.
R121.1 Princess pulled through prison window by hand and freed. Cape Verde Islands: Parsons MAFLS XV (1) 280 No. 91, 283 No. 92.
R121.2 Rescuer impersonates captive and deceives blind guardian while captive escapes. Mangaia (Cook Group): Dixon 75.
R121.3 House burned (torn) down to deliver man imprisoned in it. *Chauvin VI 74 No. 239.
R121.4 Ants carry silk threads to prisoner, who makes rope and escapes. They have thread tied to their feet. Fischer-Bolte 212.
R121.5 Ariadne-thread. Prisoner given a thread as a clue to find his way out of the labyrinth in which he is being confined. *Herbert III 204; Oesterley No. 63; Greek: Frazer Apollodorus II 135 n. 3.
R121.6 Rescue from prison by saint, who enters and breaks fetters. (Cf. R165.) Alphabet No. 436; *Loomis White Magic 89, 93; Icelandic: *Boberg.
R121.6.1 Saint appears to captor in vision and demands prisoner's release. (Cf. R165.) Irish myth: Cross.
R121.6.2 Locks marvelously open for person. Irish myth: Cross (F1088.4); Jewish: Neuman.
R121.7 Lovers ransomed from prison. Italian Novella: *Rotunda.
R121.8 Fairy mound destroyed to rescue person confined in it. Irish myth: *Cross.
R121.9 Stream carries communication between prisoner and rescuer. Irish myth: Cross.
R121.10 With her teeth woman files away chain tying up husband. India: Thompson-Balys.
R122 Miraculous rescue. Irish myth: Cross.
R122.1 Prisoner whirled away in blaze of fire. Irish myth: Cross.
R122.2 Prisoner carried off in cloud. (Cf. D2121.7.) Irish myth: Cross.
R123 Boon granted after prayer and widow's son is released from prison. India: Thompson-Balys.
R130 Rescue of abandoned or lost persons.
R131 Exposed or abandoned child rescued. Gaster Oldest Stories 171; Icelandic: *Boberg; Irish myth: *Cross; Missouri French: Carrière; Spanish: Espinosa II No. 19, Espinosa Jr. Nos. 138—41; India: *Thompson-Balys.
R131.0.1 Nurse begs alms from door to door so as to keep child and nurture him. India: Thompson-Balys.
R131.0.2 Miraculous rescue of all exposed children. Jewish: Neuman.
R131.1 Hunter rescues abandoned child. *Type 930; *Aarne FFC XXIII 56, 59; Missouri French: Carrière; Italian Novella: Rotunda; Greek: Fox 22 (Telephos), 57 (Atalanta).
R131.2 Miller rescues abandoned child. *Types 707, 930; BP II 380ff.; *Aarne FFC XXIII 61; Spanish: Espinosa Jr. No. 116.
R131.2.1 Miller rescues drowning princess. French Canadian: Sister Marie Ursule.
R131.3 Herdsman rescues abandoned child. (Cf. S351.2.) India: Thompson-Balys.
R131.3.1 Shepherd rescues abandoned child. (Cf. N841.) *Type 930; Hartland Perseus III 3 ff.; *Aarne FFC XXIII 56ff.; Dickson 101, 170; *Nutt FLR IV 1ff. — Roman: Fox 307 (Romulus and Remus); Italian Novella: Rotunda; Greek: Longus Daphnis and Chloe, Fox 43 (Zethos and Amphion), 48 (Oedipus), 118 (Paris).
R131.3.2 Goatherd rescues abandoned child. Greek: Fox 280.
R131.3.3 Cowherd rescues abandoned child. Irish myth: *Cross; MacCulloch Celtic 74; English: Wells 20 (William of Palerne); Greek: *Frazer Apollodorus I 338 n. 1.
R131.3.3.1 Person pushed into well by wife rescued by cowherd. India: Thompson-Balys.
R131.3.4 Swineherd rescues abandoned child. Irish myth: *Cross; India: *Thompson-Balys.
R131.4 Fisher rescues abandoned child. *Types 707, 930; BP II 380ff.; *Boje 65, 126; *Aarne FFC XXIII 62; English: Wells 14 (The Lay of Havelok); Italian Novella: Rotunda.
R131.5 Servant rescues abandoned child. Irish myth: *Cross, Icelandic: Gunnlaugs saga Ormstungu ch. 3, Boberg; Italian Novella: Rotunda.
R131.6 Peasant rescues abandoned child. Icelandic: Boberg; Spanish: Espinosa Jr. No. 139; Italian Novella: Rotunda; Babylonian: Spence 17, 157; India: *Thompson-Balys.
R131.7 Merchant rescues abandoned child. (Cf. N851.) Dickson 104 n. 13; Jewish: *Neuman.
R131.8 Other workmen rescue abandoned child.
R131.8.1 Horse-keeper rescues abandoned child. Greek: *Frazer Apollodorus I 82 n. 2.
R131.8.2 Gardener rescues abandoned child. India: *Thompson-Balys; Palaung tribe: Scott Indo-Chinese 276.
R131.8.3 Washerman rescues abandoned child. Palaung tribe: Scott Indo-Chinese 277.
R131.8.4 Smith rescues abandoned child. (Cf. N855.) Krappe Balor 3; Irish myth: Cross; Icelandic: De la Saussaye 143.
R131.8.5 Forester rescues abandoned child. *Boje 125ff.; Sparnaay 43; Chinese: Ferguson 41.
R131.8.6 Potter rescues abandoned child(ren). India: *Thompson-Balys.
R131.8.7 Gold-washer rescues abandoned child. India: *Thompson-Balys.
R131.8.8 Barber rescues and befriends abandoned boy. India: Thompson-Balys.
R131.9 Porter rescues abandoned child. English: Wells 126 (Lai Le Freine).