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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.

46,221 motifs

Page 182 of 185 · 250 per page
Thompson reference ▲ Description
X904 The teller reduces the size of his lie.
X904.1 The liar reduces the size of his lie when his brother steps on his toes to remind him of his lying habits. U.S.: *Baughman.
X904.2 Liar reduces the size of his yarn when challenged. U.S.: Baughman.
X905 Lying contests. Italian Novella: Rotunda; India: *Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Ikeda.
X905.1 Master brought to say, "You lie!" Type 1920C; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 1920D*; Russian: Andrejev No. 1920D*; Prussian: Plenzat 78; Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 119 No. 27; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 51 No. 89; India: *Thompson-Balys.
X905.2 Greatest liar made king of Schlaraffenland. (First ed. X950.3.) (Cf. X1503.) BP II 507.
X905.3 Claim of property based on unusual lie. India: Thompson-Balys.
X905.4 The liar: "I have no time to lie today"; lies nevertheless. Type 1920B; India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 308ff. No. 18, FFC CXXVIII 260ff. No. 160.
X905.4.1 Boy to deceive his uncle: induces uncle to climb tree before deception begins: this is the deception. Chinese: Graham.
X906 Would not lie for a trifle. Liar tells of shooting large number of animals with one shot (an odd number, usually 99). When asked why he did not make it a round number (or an even hundred), he replies indignantly that he would not lie for one pigeon (rabbit). U.S.: *Baughman.
X907 Man has servant corroborate his lies. Rewards him poorly. Servant exposes him. Italian Novella: *Rotunda.
X907.1 The second liar corroborates the lie of the first. Canada, U.S.: Baughman.
X908 Lie: sea has burned up. (Often with answer: "Many fried fish.") (First ed. X925.) Type 1920A; *BP II 371; Fb "vesterhav" III 1042b, "a" III 1187b; Indonesian: DeVries Volksverhalen II 377.
X909 Other stories about liars.
X909.1 The incorrigible liar. U.S.: *Baughman.
X909.1.1 Church member who has been called to task about his lying habits tells another lie in expressing his concern for his weakness. He says he has shed barrels of tears because of his weakness. U.S.: *Baughman.
X909.2 The liar outdoes the tricksters who try to catch him in a lie. He continues the lie the tricksters have made up to catch him. (Cf. K306, L142.1.) U.S.: Baughman.
X910 Lie: the remarkable man. (Cf. F500F599.) For bibliography of American hero material see Harold Felton Legends of Paul Bunyan (New York, 1947).
X911 Lie concerning birth of hero. U.S.: *Baughman.
X912 Lie concerning babyhood and boyhood of hero. England, U.S.: *Baughman.
X913 Lie: death of extraordinary man. U.S.: *Baughman.
X916 Lie: persons with remarkable bodily parts. U.S.: *Baughman.
X920 Lie: the large man. (First ed. X1041.) *Type 852; BP II 516.
X921 Lie: remarkably tall person. England, U.S.: *Baughman.
X922 Lie: great weight of large person. U.S.: *Baughman.
X923 Lie: great girth of large person. U.S.: *Baughman.
X924 Lie: remarkably thin persons. U.S.: *Baughman.
X930 Lie: remarkable person's physical powers and habits.
X931 Lie: remarkable eater. England, U.S.: *Baughman.
X932 Lie: remarkable drinker. (Cf. F633.) U.S.: *Baughman.
X933 Lie: remarkable chewer. U.S.: *Baughman.
X934 Lie: remarkable spitter. (Cf. F635.) Canada, U.S.: *Baughman.
X935 Lie: remarkable blower. (Cf. F622.) U.S.: *Baughman.
X936 Lie: person with remarkable hearing. (Cf. F641.) U.S.: *Baughman.
X937 Lie: person with remarkable voice. (Cf. F556.) U.S.: *Baughman.
X938 Lie: person of remarkable sight. (Cf. F642.) U.S.: *Baughman.
X939 Lie: other motifs pertaining to extraordinary senses or bodily powers. U.S.: *Baughman.
X940 Lie: remarkably strong man.
X941 Remarkable lifter. (Cf. F624.) Canada, England, U.S.: *Baughman.
X941.1 Whole village lifted. India: Thompson-Balys.
X941.2 Fight on old woman's hand. India: Thompson-Balys.
X941.3 Elephant (camel) put in pocket as a curiosity to show friends. India: Thompson-Balys.
X941.4 Wind blows group of persons into woman's eye. India: Thompson-Balys.
X942 Lie: remarkable carrier. (Cf. F631.) Canada, England, U.S.: *Baughman.
X942.1 Lie: man ties up 700 camels in a corner of his sheet. India: Thompson-Balys.
X943 Lie: remarkable thrower. (Cf. F636.) England, U.S.: *Baughman.
X943.1 Beautiful girl seated on large lotus flower holding big elephant in each hand which she devours and throws off alternately. India: Thompson-Balys.
X943.1.1 Lie: child throws out elephant's carcass. India: Thompson-Balys.
X944 Lie: remarkable catcher. U.S.: Baughman.
X945 Lie: remarkable hitter or striker. U.S.: *Baughman.
X946 Lie: remarkable breaker. (Cf. F625.) U.S.: *Baughman.
X947 Lie: remarkable bender. U.S.: *Baughman.
X948 Lie: remarkable twister. U.S.: *Baughman.
X951 Lie: remarkable squeezer. (Cf. X955.) U.S.: *Baughman.
X952 Lie: remarkable pincher. Hero marks logs by pinching a piece out of end of each one. U.S.: Baughman.
X953 Lie: strong puller. U.S.: *Baughman.
X953.1 Man draws sixty (300) carts of wood. India: Thompson-Balys.
X954 Lie: remarkable pusher. U.S.: *Baughman.
X955 Lie: remarkable killer. (Cf. X945.) U.S.: *Baughman.
X958 Lie: hero responsible for topographical features (lakes, rivers, etc.). (Cf. A901.) Canada, England, U.S.: *Baughman.
X959 Lie: other strong physical reactions.
X959.1 Lie: hero breaking wen causes wall to fall down. (Cf. D1562.3, F610.) Korean: Zong in-Sob 67 No. 37.
X960 Lie: remarkable person's skills.
X961 Lie: extraordinary bodily skills.
X964 Lie: remarkable swimmer. U.S.: *Baughman.
X965 Lie: remarkable diver. U.S.: Baughman.
X966 Lie: remarkable jumper. U.S.: Baughman.
X967 Lie: remarkable kicker. U.S.: *Baughman.
X971 Lie: remarkable oarsman. U.S.: *Baughman.
X972 Lie: remarkable fighter. U.S.: *Baughman.
X973 Lie: remarkable wrestler. U.S.: *Baughman.
X980 Lie: occupational or professional skill.
X982 Lie: remarkable smith. (Cf. F663.) U.S.: *Baughman.
X983 Lie: skillful flayer. Man skins buffalo alive, turns them loose to grow new skins. (Cf. F664.1.) Type 654; U.S.: *Baughman.
X986 Lie: skillful axe-man. (Cf. F666.) Ireland, U.S.: *Baughman (X986 and X1796.3).
X986.1 Axe of wax cuts jungle. India: Thompson-Balys.
X987 Lie: remarkable logger. U.S.: *Baughman.
X991 Lie: remarkable rock driller. (John Henry.) Engages in contest with steam drill; he wins the contest but dies in the attempt. U.S.: *Baughman.
X994 Lie: remarkable carpenter. Ireland, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1001 Lie: remarkable thresher. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1002 Lie: remarkable user of whip. U.S.: Baughman.
X1003 Lie: remarkable roper. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1004 Lie: remarkable rider.
X1004.1 Lie: man rides unusual riding animal (lion, deer, etc.). (Cf. B557.) U.S.: *Baughman.
X1004.2 Lie: man rides cyclone. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1005 Lie: remarkable cook. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1010 Lie: remarkable mental skills.
X1011 Lie: the great inventor. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1012 Lie: person displays remarkable ingenuity or resourcefulness. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1012.1 Lie: axes ground on boulders rolling down hill. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1020 Lie: remarkable possessions of remarkable man.
X1021 Lie: remarkable clothing of remarkable man. England, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1021.1 Lie: remarkable bouncing rubber boots (or the like). U.S.: *Baughman.
X1022 Lie: other extraordinary personal effects of remarkable person. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1023 Lie: extraordinary equipment of remarkable man. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1024 Lie: extraordinary tools of remarkable man. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1025 Lie: extraordinary machinery of remarkable man. Canada, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1030 Lie: remarkable buildings. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1030.1 The great building. (First ed. X1033.) Type 1960E.
X1031 Lie: the great kitchen. (First ed. X1033.1.) Chauvin VII 57 No. 77; U.S.: *Baughman, *Folk-Say I 62.
X1031.1 Lie: remarkable equipment in big kitchen. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1031.1.1 Lie: The great kettle. (First ed. X1035.) Type 1960F.
X1031.2 Lie: help in big kitchen. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1031.3 Lie: remarkable cooking in big kitchen. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1031.4 Lie: remarkable baking in big kitchen. Canada, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1031.4.1 Lie: skating with bacon to grease griddle in big kitchen. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1031.5 Lie: other extraordinary foods from great kitchen. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1031.6 Lie: remarkable food preferences. French loggers prefer pea soup for all three meals. U.S.: Baughman.
X1031.7 Lie: extraordinary piles of garbage from great kitchen. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1032 Lie: the great dining quarters (Paul Bunyan tales). U.S.: Baughman.
X1033 Lie: the great bunkhouse. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1035 Lie: the great hotel. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1036 Lie: the great stable. India: Thompson-Balys.
X1036.1 Lie: the great stable: distance to stall. Cow has calf and the calf grows up and has calf before it can reach its stall. (First ed. X1033.2.) Fb "stald" III 534a.
X1060 Lie: other possessions of remarkable man. (Cf. X1215 [dog], X1235 [cow], X1237 [ox]).
X1061 Lie: great boat or ship of remarkable man. (Cf. F861.)
X1061.1 Remarkable size of great ship. (First ed. X1031.) Type 1960H; BP II 516; U.S.: *Baughman.
X1070 Extraordinary man's family.
X1071 The big wedding. Giant with sixty daughters. (First ed. X1045.) Type 1961.
X1080 Lie: occupations of remarkable man. (Cf. X980.)
X1081 Lie: remarkable logging operations. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1082 Lie: remarkable manufacturer.
X1082.1 Lie: remarkable sawmill operator. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1082.2 Lie: remarkable dairyman. U.S.: Baughman.
X1083 Lie: remarkable steel worker. U.S.: Baughman.
X1084 Lie: remarkable oil drilling operator. U.S.: Baughman (X988 and X1084).
X1100 Lie: the remarkable hunter.
X1110 The wonderful hunt. (First ed. X921.) *Types 1890—1909; Wesselski Märchen 226f.; Indonesia: DeVries's list No. 312.
X1110.1 The unlucky hunt. (First ed. X921.0.1.) Indonesia: DeVries's list No. 313.
X1111 Hunter shoots ram-rod full of ducks. (First ed. X921.4.) Type 1894.
X1112 Hunter catches fish in boots while wading. (First ed. X921.5.) Type 1895.
X1114 Man lays bag by fencehole and all the hares run into it. (First ed. X921.11.) Type 1893.
X1114.1 Two hares run into each other and are caught. (First ed. X921.6.) Type 1895*.
X1114.2 Tiger lies in water with mouth open: cat drives fish in. India: Thompson-Balys.
X1115 Large bag of frozen raccoons taken by hunter. (Cf. X1130.3.) U.S.: Baughman.
X1115.1 The rabbit-catch: rabbits freeze feet fast to ice at night. (First ed. X921.2.) Type 1891.
X1116 The breathing tree. Hunter cuts down tree packed full of animals. The tree is so full of animals that a crack in tree opens as animals inhale, closes when they exhale. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1119 Miscellaneous stories of plentiful game.
X1119.1 Lie: thick flock of birds. U.S.: Baughman.
X1119.2 Lie: remarkable bag of deer. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1120 Lie: the great marksman. (Cf. F661.) U.S.: Baughman (X1120 and X981).
X1121 Lie: the great marksman's remarkable gun. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1122 Lie: hunter with remarkable marksmanship.
X1122.1 Lie: hunter shoots projectile great distance. England: Baughman.
X1122.2 Lie: person shoots many animals with one shot. Canada, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1122.3 Lie: ingenious person bends gun barrel to make spectacular shot. Canada, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1124 Lie: the hunter catches or kills game by ingenious or unorthodox method. (Cf. X1132.) Canada, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1124.1 Shooting off the leader's tail. (First ed. X921.8.) An old blind bear is being led by a young bear, whose tail the old bear has in his mouth. The hunter shoots off the young bear's tail and seizes it. Thus leads the old bear home. Pauli (ed. Bolte) No. 748; U.S.: *Baughman.
X1124.2 Hunter turns animal inside out. He reaches down animal's throat, grasps his tail, and turns him inside out. (First ed. X911.1.) Wesselski Bebel II 137 No. 115; U.S.: *Baughman.
X1124.3 Accidental discharge of gun kills much game. Gun kills a bird which falls on loose limb of tree, which falls on bear, etc., etc. (First ed. X921.1.) Type 1890; American Negro (Georgia): Harris Friends 154 No. 21.
X1124.3.1 Gunshot splits limb and catches feet of birds. Type 1890.
X1124.4 Hunting wolves with rod and line. (First ed. X921.7.) Type 1896*.
X1130 Lie: hunter's unusual experiences. Canada, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1130.1 Game rolls down hill in snow; snowball builds up around game, keeps it fresh and protected until used. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1130.2 Fruit tree grows from head of deer shot with fruit pits. Compare Münchhausen (1944) 32 (cherry tree). Canada, U.S.: *Baughman; India: Thompson-Balys.
X1130.2.1 Tree grows out of horse and gives rider shade. (First ed. X923.) Fb "træ" III 868a.
X1130.3 Water of stream or lake freezes just as frogs jump into lake. The frogs are caught in the ice. Canada, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1132 Ingenious skinning of animal.
X1132.1 The nailed wolf's tail. Wolf's tail nailed to tree. Wolf runs away and leaves his skin hanging. (First ed. X922.) Type 1896; U.S.: *Baughman.
X1133 Lie: the hunter in danger.
X1133.1 Lie: man uses remarkable means of getting out of tree stump. Type 1900; U.S.: *Baughman.
X1133.2 Man escapes from bear by running for a long time, from summer to winter. Bear chases man in July; he finally crosses a river on the ice. The bear falls in or stops following (in December). U.S.: *Baughman.
X1133.3 Man in barrel grabs wolf by the tail and is drawn out of danger. (First ed. X911.) *Type 1875; Köhler-Bolte I 410; *Fb "tønde" III 935a, "ræv" III 114a.
X1133.3.1 Animal unwittingly puts tail into man's hands and is caught. India: *Thompson-Balys.
X1133.3.2 If the wolf's tail breaks. Trickster and companion are wolf hunting. The companion goes into the wolf hole. The wolf comes. The other catches the wolf by the tail and the wolf scratches dust into the companion's eyes. "What a dust."—"If the wolf's tail breaks, you will see another kind of dust!" (First ed. X911.3.) Wesselski Hodscha Nasreddin I 216 No. 48; West Indies: Flowers 585.
X1133.4 Man escapes from bee's nest on bear's tail. (First ed. X911.2.) Type 1900.
X1133.5 Tigers stand on each other's heads trying to reach man in tree. His tears form a stream. India: Thompson-Balys.
X1150 Lies about fishing. (Cf. X1300.)
X1150.1 The great catch of fish. (First ed. X1022.) Type 1960C.
X1151 Lie: large number of fishermen in one spot. U.S.: Baughman.
X1153 Lie: fish caught by remarkable trick. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1154 Lie: unusual catch by fisherman.
X1154.1 Fisherman catches fish with amazing contents. Canada, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1154.1.1 Man catches fish with larger fish inside. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1156 Lie: other unusual methods of catching fish. U.S.: Baughman.
X1156.1 Lie: fish caught with another's cries. (First ed. X961.10.) Type 1930; BP III 244ff.
X1200 Lie: remarkable animals. Types 1875—1910.
X1201 Lie: the great animal. (First ed. X1021.) Types 852, 1960A.
X1202 Lie: animals inherit acquired characteristics or conditions. Canada, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1202.1 Small cart serves as back legs for crippled sow. Pigs also have these carts. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1203 Lie: animal's food affects him in unusual way. (E.g. Pine tops: milk good for cough syrup.) U.S.: *Baughman.
X1204 Lie: animals eat one another up. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1204.1 Two wolves eat each other up so that only tails are left. (First ed. X911.4.) *Fb "hale" IV 197b.
X1204.2 Lie: two birds swallow each other. (First ed. X926.) Africa (Vai): Ellis 239 No. 46.
X1205 Lie: venom of animal (snake, hornet, bee) causes object to swell. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1205.1 Snake strikes object, causing it to swell. Canada, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1206 Lies: animals trained to respond to certain sounds: absurd result. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1208 Animals already cooked for eating.
X1208.1 Roast pigs run around with knife and fork in back ready for eating. U.S.: Baughman.
X1208.2 Lie: roast hens fly, heads to sky, tails to ground. (First ed. X961.23.) Type 1930; BP III 258.
X1210 Lies about mammals.
X1211 Lies about cats. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1211.1 Lie: cat scratches out bear's tongue. (First ed. X961.36.) Type 1930; BP III 244ff.
X1211.2 Lie: crippled cat uses wooden leg to kill mice. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1212 Lies about wildcats. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1213 Lies about panthers. U.S.: Baughman.
X1215 Lies about dogs. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1215.1 Dog and other animal chase each other in hot weather. Canada, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1215.2 Lie: large dog. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1215.3 Lie: small dog. U.S.: Baughman.
X1215.4 Lie: weak dog. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1215.5 Lie: tough dog. U.S.: Baughman.
X1215.6 Lie: ferocious dog. Canada, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1215.7 Lie: fast dog. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1215.8 Lie: intelligent dog. England, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1215.9 Lie: obedient or dutiful dog. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1215.10 Lie: dog with remarkable scent. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1215.11 Lie: the split dog. Put back together but back legs point upwards. Canada, England, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1215.12 Lie: greyhounds drag mill out of water. (First ed. X961.19.) Type 1930; BP III 244ff.
X1216 Lies about wolves. Canada, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1216.1 The wolf harnessed. Eats the horses, is harnessed and runs in the harness. (First ed. X936.) *Type 1910.
X1221 Lies about bears. Canada, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1224 Lies about chipmunks.
X1224.1 Lie: the big chipmunk. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1226 Lies about mice. U.S.: Baughman.
X1226.1 Lie: mice consecrate bishop. (First ed. X961.16.) Type 1930; BP III 244ff.
X1227 Lies about rats. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1233 Lie: extraordinary hog. Ireland, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1233.1 Lie: large hog.
X1233.1.1 Lie: large boar has bristles as long as pitchfork tines. England, Scotland: *Baughman; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 1879*.
X1233.1.2 The great wild-boar. Tusks go through tree and come out on other side. (First ed. X1021.4.) *Wesselski Bebel II 137 No. 114.
X1233.2 Lie: tough hog.
X1233.2.1 Hog finds dynamite supply, eats it, walks behind mule; the mule kicks the hog. The explosion kills the mule, blows down the barn, breaks windows out of house. The hog is ill for several days. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1233.3 Lies about thin hogs. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1233.4 Miscellaneous lies about hogs.
X1233.4.1 Lie: salesman guarantees sow to bear male, then female, then kid. (First ed. X931.) Wienert FFC LVI 84 (ET 506), 104 (ST 167); Halm Aesop No. 11.
X1235 Lie: remarkable cow. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1235.1 Large cow. (Cf. B871.1.1.)
X1235.1.1 Cow wears church bell for cowbell. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1235.2 Lie about cow's rich milk. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1235.2.1 Cow gives so much cream that several men do nothing but skim cream. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1235.3 Owner provides cow with green goggles, feeds her sawdust or snow. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1235.4 Lie: cow climbs to roof. (First ed. X961.7.) Type 1930; BP III 258.
X1235.5 Lie: cow puts bread in oven. (First ed. X961.22.) Type 1930; BP III 244ff.
X1237 Lie: remarkable ox or steer. (First ed. X1021.1.) U.S.: *Baughman, *Folk-Say I 62 (bibliography of "Paul Bunyan" stories).
X1237.1 Lies about strong oxen. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1237.1.1 Man plows through stump which catches the back of his pants in cleft. His oxen continue to pull; he holds onto the plow, pulls the stump out of the ground. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1237.2 Lie: the remarkable blue ox. U.S.: *Baughman.
X1241 Lies about horses. Canada, England, Scotland, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1241.1 The great horse. (First ed. X1021.6.) Fb "stud" III 619b.
X1241.2 Well-trained horse.
X1241.2.1 Horse takes cattle out to pasture; brings them in by himself. U.S.: Baughman.
X1241.2.2 Trained horse as harvester and hunter. He rolls in the field. Oats in his flanks; club in his tail kills birds. (First ed. X921.3.) (Cf. X1252.1.) Type 1892.
X1241.2.3 Lie: horses knead dough. (First ed. X961.20.) Type 1930; BP III 244ff.
X1242 Lies about mules. Canada, U.S.: *Baughman.
X1242.0.1 Lies about asses.
X1242.0.1.1 Lie: ass with silver nose hunts hares. (First ed. X961.32.) Type 1930; BP III 244ff.
X1243 Lies about sheep.
X1243.1 Lie: the great Darby ram. England: *Baughman.
X1244 Lies about goats.