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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 20 of 185 · 250 per page
Thompson reference ▲ Description
A2421.4 How partridge got voice. Borrowed from tortoise. (See A2241).—Dh III 132.
A2421.4.1 How quail got voice. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 267.
A2421.5 How nkundak got voice. (See A2223.2.)
A2421.6 Why cocks crow. Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 35 No. *205; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys.
A2421.7 Voice of peewit. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 264f.
A2421.8 Why cat purrs. (Cf. A2236.8.)
A2422 How animal lost voice (or power of speech). Dh III 231ff.—India: Thompson-Balys.
A2422.1 Why dog lost his power of speech. Bulu: Krug.
A2422.1.1 Why dogs do not speak. Dh III 232. (See A2237.1.)—Benga: Nassau 163 No. 22; Zuсi: Handy JAFL XXXI 467; Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 243; India: Thompson-Balys.
A2422.2 Why sheep do not speak. Curse of Virgin Mary. (See A2231). —Sébillot RTP II 492.
A2422.3 Why white crow is dumb. Hottentot: Bleek 45 No. 22.
A2422.4 Why tortoise has no voice. (See A2421.4.)—Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 378.
A2422.5 Why fly has no voice. Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 384.
A2422.6 Why raven cannot talk. Dh III 232.
A2422.7 Why frogs cannot speak. Dh III 232.
A2422.8 Why cormorant cannot speak. (See A2344.2.5.)—Dh III 232f.
A2422.9 Why swallows lost voice. (See A2231.2.2.)
A2422.10 Why cock does not speak. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2423 General quality of animal's voice.
A2423.1 Animal's ugly voice.
A2423.1.1 Woodcock's ugly voice. Exchanged with thrush. (See A2245.1.)
A2423.1.2 Peacock's ugly voice. (See A2236.2.2.)
A2423.1.3 Loon's ugly voice. Lappish: Qvigstad FFC LX 38 No. 53.
A2423.1.4 Why ass brays. (Cf. A2239.3.)
A2423.1.5 Why hornbill speaks through his nose. Africa (Cameroon): Mansfield 234.
A2423.1.6 Origin of snail's monotonous voice. Africa: Milligan Jungle 95.
A2423.2 Animal's pleasing voice.
A2423.2.1 Thrush's beautiful voice. Exchanged with woodcock. (See A2423.1.1, A2245.1.)
A2423.2.2 Cuckoo's sweet voice. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2425 Origin of animal cries. (See A2261.1, A2272.1, A2275.1, A2275.2.) —*Millier (A.) Petits Contes du Nivernais (Nevers, 1894); Dh III 355ff.; BP II 535; Wienert FFC LVI 40; Chauvin VIII 49 No. 17; India: Thompson-Balys.
A2425.1 How dog began to bark. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2425.2 Origin of birds' morning-songs (from singing angels). Jewish: Neuman.
A2426 Nature and meaning of animal cries. *Dh III 355 ff.—Finnish: *Aarne FFC IX.
A2426.1 Cries of mammals.
A2426.1.1 Cry of bush-cat. (See A2275.4.)—U.S.: Baughman.
A2426.1.2 Cry of squirrel. Finnish: Aarne FFC IX 3 No. 3.—Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 220.
A2426.1.2.1 Squirrel's call: asks whether viper (who ate up his children) is his friend. Bulu: Krug 106.
A2426.1.3 Why hog grunts. Finnish: Aarne FFC IX 4 No. 13.—Jamaica Negro: Beckwith MAFLS XVII 259 No. 51; Angola: Chatelain 215.
A2426.1.4 The hedgehog's cry. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. *278.
A2426.1.5 Why dog barks after thief. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2426.1.6 Why bats cry as they fly. New Guinea: Kerr 7.
A2426.2 Cries of birds.
A2426.2.1 Nightingale's song. (See A2272.1.1.)—Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3151, Balys Legends No. 260; Japanese: Ikeda.
A2426.2.2 Garden warbler's song. (See A2272.1.3.)
A2426.2.3 Bittern's song. (See A2261.1, A2275.3.)
A2426.2.4 Hoopoe's song. (See A2261.1, A2275.3.)
A2426.2.5 Cuckoo's song. (See A2275.2.)—Japanese: Ikeda.
A2426.2.6 Cawing of crow. Dh III 126, 257, 357, 369, 371, 372.—Finnish: Aarne FFC IX 7 No. 39; Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 223; Australian: Dixon 292.
A2426.2.7 Croaking of raven. Dh III 364, 373, 392.—Finnish: Aarne FFC IX 9 No. 46.—Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 223; Eskimo (Ungava): Turner RBAE XI 261.
A2426.2.8 Why dove coos. *Dh III 554 s.v. "Taube".—Finnish: Aarne FFC IX 12 No. 57; Angola: Chatelain 153 No. 16; Jamaica negro: Beckwith MAFLS XVII 259 No. 50; India: *Thompson-Balys.
A2426.2.9 Why goose quacks. Finnish: Aarne FFC IX 6 No. 31.
A2426.2.10 Why duck quacks. Fb "and".
A2426.2.11 What parrot says. Benga: Nassau 199 No. 29; India: Thompson-Balys.
A2426.2.12 Meaning of swallow's song. Fb "svale".
A2426.2.13 Cackling of guinea hen. North Carolina: Brown Collection I 634.
A2426.2.15 Why certain species of eagle cries like a baby: spirit of tortured baby became an eagle. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2426.2.16 Origin of cry of brain-fever bird. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2426.2.17 Origin of owl's cries. (Cf. A2427.3.)—S. Am. Indian (Matoco): Métraux MAFLS XL 48.
A2426.2.18 Origin and meaning of cock's cry "cock-a-doodle-do". India: *Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 13.
A2426.2.18.1 Why cock crows on roof with neck stretched out. Korean: Zong in-Sob 25 No. 11.
A2426.3 Sounds of insects.
A2426.3.1 Beetle's hum. (See A2231.11.)
A2426.3.2 Gnat's buzz. (See A2236.1.)
A2426.3.3 Fly's buzz. (See A2239.2.)
A2426.3.4 Cricket's chirp. (See A2272.1.2.)
A2426.3.5 Mosquito's buzz. Mpongwe: Nassau 62 No. 12.
A2426.3.6 Speech of fireflies. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2426.4 Other animal cries.
A2426.4.1 Frog's croak. (See A2275.4.)—Jewish: Neuman; Japanese: Ikeda; Angola: Chatelain 217 No. 38; Liberia: Bundy JAFL XXXII 420.
A2426.4.1.1 Frogs formerly were ducks stolen from Eden by Cain. God changed them to frogs; and so frogs sound like ducks in the spring. (Cf. A2162.)—U. S.: Baughman.
A2426.4.1.2 Why frog croaks in wet weather. Korean: Zong in-Sob 35 No. 18.
A2426.4.2 Toad's croak. Jamaica Negro: Beckwith MAFLS XVII 259.
A2427 Why animal howls (cries out) at night.
A2427.1 Why jackal cries in the night. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2427.2 Why dog howls at night.
A2427.2.1 Why dogs howl when man is dying. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2427.3 Why owl hoots at night. (Cf. A2426.2.17.)—India: Thompson-Balys.
A2428 Animal's hearing.
A2428.1 How animal lost hearing. Dh III 231.
A2430 Animal characteristics: dwelling and food.
A2431 Birds' nests. (Cf. A2486.)
A2431.1 How bird learned to build nest. *Dh III 202.
A2431.2 Why bird has no nest. (See A2233.4.1.)
A2431.2.1 Why cuckoo has no nest. (See A2231.3.1.)—Dh III 177, 195, 200; India: Thompson-Balys; Lithuanian: Balys Legends Nos. 198f., 250, 270.
A2431.2.1.1 Crow hatches cuckoo's egg. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2431.2.2 Why heron has no nest. Congo: Weeks 220 No. 15.
A2431.3 Nature of birds' nests.
A2431.3.1 Dove's nest. (See A2271.1.)—Dh III 124, 191—201.
A2431.3.2 Diver's nest. (See A2238.4.)—Dh III 202.
A2431.3.3 Ring-dove's nest. Exchanged with gull. (See A2247.)—Dh III 124.
A2431.3.4 Gull's nest. Exchanged with ringdove. (See A2247.)—Dh III 124.
A2431.3.5 Swallow's nest. (See A2221.2.4.)—Dh III 5, 200, 415ff.; Sébillot RTP III 156; Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 16 No. 87.
A2431.3.5.1 Why swallow does not like green trees for her nest. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3145, Legends No. 272.
A2431.3.6 Crow's nest.
A2431.3.6.1 Why crow cannot enter sparrow's nest. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2431.3.6.2 Why crow's nest is not tightly built. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2431.3.6.3 Why crow must build nests far from people's houses. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2431.3.7 Sparrow's nest.
A2431.3.7.1 Why sparrow may build nest near people's houses; reward for hospitality. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2431.3.8 Turkey's nest.
A2431.3.8.1 Why brush turkey nests on the ground. New Guinea: Kerr 107.
A2432 Dwelling of other animal than bird.
A2432.1 Why ant lives in ant-hill. Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 92 No. 97.
A2432.2 Why wasp has nest. Dh III 189.
A2432.3 Beaver's dwelling. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 246.
A2432.4 Porcupine's dwelling. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 246.
A2432.5 Muskrat's dwelling. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 243.
A2432.6 Bear's den. Kaska: Teit JAFL XXX 444.
A2432.7 Wart-hog's burrow. Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 364 No. 16.
A2432.8 Bee's hive. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2432.9 Why fly lives on dung heap. Africa (Cameroon): Mansfield 229.
A2432.10 Why the elephant lives without a hut. Wakweli: Bender 82f.
A2433 Animal's characteristic haunt. *Dh III 204ff.
A2433.1 Establishment of animal haunt. (See A2212.2.)
A2433.1.1 Animal haunt established by contest (race). (See A2250.1, A2252.1.)
A2433.1.2 Animals change their type of dwelling-place. Dh III 215ff.
A2433.1.3 Place to live given as patent right to dog. Dh IV 117.
A2433.2 Various haunts of animals.
A2433.2.1 Animals that live in woods. Dh III 204ff.
A2433.2.1.1 Why small ants live in houses while driver ants must live in bush. Africa (Congo): Weeks Jungle 260f.
A2433.2.1.2 Why gorilla and chimpanzee live in forests: punishment for neglecting their possessions. Bulu: Krug 111f.
A2433.2.2 Animals that inhabit water. Dh III 208ff.
A2433.2.3 Animals that live alone. Dh III 210ff.
A2433.2.3.1 Why leopard walks alone. He killed treacherously his saviors and all animals deserted him. Milligan Jungle 99.
A2433.2.4 Animals that live with men. Dh III 213ff.
A2433.2.4.1 Why the chimpanzee lives with men. Africa (Duala): Lederbogen Märchen 146ff.
A2433.3 Haunts of various animals—mammals.
A2433.3.1 Cat's characteristic haunt. Jewish: Neuman.
A2433.3.1.1 Why cat keeps chimney-corner. (See A2223.1.)
A2433.3.2 Dog's characteristic haunt. (See A2233.2.)—Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 214; Jewish: Neuman; India: Thompson-Balys; Africa (Angola): Chatelain 213 No. 35 (by the fire), (Wute): Sieber 205.
A2433.3.3 Why hare lives in bush. (See A2282.)
A2433.3.4 Why hyena stays in burrow. (See A2282.)
A2433.3.5 Why coney lives among rocks. (See A2241.7.)
A2433.3.6 Why hog lives in sty. Angola: Chatelain 215 No. 36; India: Thompson-Balys.
A2433.3.7 Why rams live at home. Gold Coast: Barker and Sinclair 143 No. 27; India: Thompson-Balys.
A2433.3.8 Why goat lives with men. Gold Coast: Barker and Sinclair 153 No. 29; Benga: Nassau 100 No. 7.
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.
A2433.3.10 Why muskrats live in water. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 243.
A2433.3.11 Why porcupine lives in high places in mountains. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 246.
A2433.3.12 Why beaver lives along rivers. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 246.
A2433.3.13 Why elk lives in woods. Quileute: Farrand JAFL XXXII 259.
A2433.3.14 Why wolf lives in woods. Africa (Gold Coast): Barker and Sinclair 153 No. 29.
A2433.3.15 Why elephant does not live in town. Yoruba: Ellis 267 No. 3.
A2433.3.16 Why lion stays away from settlement. Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 382.
A2433.3.17 Why bear lives where he does. Australian: Dixon 298 (trees); Kaska: Teit JAFL XXX 444 (mountains).
A2433.3.18 Why leopard lives where he does. Gold Coast: Barker and Sinclair 143 (woods), ibid. 153 (desert). India: Thompson-Balys.
A2433.3.19 Why monkey lives in tree. Mpongwe: Nassau 68 No. 14.
A2433.3.19.1 Why monkey has first fruits of harvest in every field. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2433.3.20 Why mole lives underground. Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 38 No. 287.
A2433.3.21 Why tiger lives in jungle. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2433.4 Haunts of birds.
A2433.4.1 Why owl lives where he does. (See A2229.3. steeple.)—Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 196 (away from other birds).
A2433.4.2 Why cock lives in town. (See A2250.1.)—Benga: Nassau 199 No. 29.
A2433.4.3 Why ptarmigan lives in country. (See A2250.1.)
A2433.4.4 Why parrot lives in tree. Congo: Weeks 220 No. 15.
A2433.4.5 Why kingfisher lives in the air. Africa (Togo): Einstein 7.
A2433.4.6 Why fowls never shut their doors at night. Africa (Congo): Weeks Jungle 379ff.
A2433.5 Haunts of insects.
A2433.5.1 Why nit lives at edge of hair. (See A2236.6.)
A2433.5.2 Why fly lives amid filth. (See A2239.2.)
A2433.5.3 Haunts of spider. (See A2211.6, large stones, A2261.2, dusty corners.) India: Thompson-Balys.
A2433.5.3.1 Why spider lives under stones. Africa: Meinhof 209.
A2433.5.4 Why beetles live in manure. Pueblo: Parsons JAFL XXXI 245.
A2433.5.5 Why ants are lords of the bush. Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 400.
A2433.5.6 Why butterflies haunt urine-impregnated places. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2433.5.7 Why cockroaches live in houses. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2433.6 Haunts of reptiles, etc.
A2433.6.1 Haunts of tortoise (turtle).
A2433.6.1.1 Why tortoise lives in logs in stream. (See A2282.)—Benga Nassau 139, 207 Nos. 15, 32.
A2433.6.1.2 Why turtle lays eggs on beach. (Cf. A2486.)—Hawaii: Beckwith Myth 22.
A2433.6.2 Why oyster lives in salt water. Mpongwe: Nassau 62 No. 11.
A2433.6.3 Haunts of crab.
A2433.6.3.1 Why crabs live in water. Kaffir Kidd 249 No. 11; India: Thompson-Balys.
A2433.6.3.2 Why crabs burrow in sand. New Guinea: Kerr 86.
A2433.6.3.3 Why common crab lives underground. Africa (Cameroon): Mansfield 224.
A2433.6.4 Why iguana lives in stream. Benga: Nassau 106 No. 8.
A2433.6.5 Why leeches live in water. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2433.6.6 Habitation of frog. India: Thompson-Balys; Africa (Togo): Einstein 7.
A2433.6.7 Why toad lives in cold place. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2433.6.8 Habitat of snake. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2433.6.9 Why thousand-legged worm avoids sun. Africa (Wakweli): Bender 61.
A2434 Habitat of animal. The country or locality in which animal is found.
A2434.1 Why certain animals are found everywhere. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2434.1.1 Why birds are everywhere. India: Thompson-Balys; Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 209.
A2434.1.2 Why bluebirds are everywhere. Pueblo: Parsons JAFL XXXI 219.
A2434.1.3 Why snowbirds are everywhere. Pueblo: Parsons JAFL XXXI 218.
A2434.1.4 Why black ants are everywhere. Zuсi: Handy JAFL XXXI 468.
A2434.1.5 Why jackal may go everywhere. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2434.2 Why certain animals are absent from countries. *Dh III 217ff.
A2434.2.1 Why porcupines and skunks do not live on Cape Breton Island. Micmac: Speck JAFL XXVIII 69.
A2434.2.2 Why foxes do not live on a certain island: driven out by a god. Japanese: Anesaki Japanese Myth. 252.
A2434.2.3 Why there are no snakes in Ireland. Irish myth: Cross.
A2434.3 Why animals live in certain countries. *Dh III 217ff.
A2434.3.1 Why locusts live in certain Pueblo towns. Pueblo: Parsons JAFL XXXI 225.
A2434.3.2 Why there are wild turkeys in a certain Pueblo town. Pueblo: Parsons JAFL XXXI 235.
A2434.3.3 Why elephant lives in Nigeria. Gold Coast: Barker and Sinclair 153 No. 29.
A2435 Food of animal. *Dh III 295ff., 308ff.
A2435.1 Assignment of food to animal. Circassian: Nicolaides and Carnoy RTP I 80.
A2435.1.1 Why certain birds may not drink out of river. (See A2233.1.1.)
A2435.1.2 How tiger formerly cooked its food and why it changed. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2435.2 Nature of animal's food.
A2435.2.1 Why animals eat everything without salt. Zuсi: Handy JAFL XXXI 461.
A2435.2.2 Why certain animals are carnivorous. Jewish: Neuman.
A2435.3 Food of various animals—mammals. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2435.3.1 Food of dog. (See A2247, exchanged with cat.)—Dh III 124, IV 112ff., 121ff.
A2435.3.2 Food of cat. (See A2247, exchanged with dog.)—Dh III 124, IV 121ff., 128 (to eat before dog).
A2435.3.3 Food of bear. (See A2251.1.) India: Thompson-Balys.
A2435.3.4 Food of wolf. Man.—Finnish: Aarne FFC XXXIII 53. No. 75*; Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 144 No. 37.
A2435.3.5 Food of wolverine. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 247 (corpses).
A2435.3.6 Why moose eat willows. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 231.
A2435.3.7 Food of mouse.
A2435.3.7.1 Why mice eat grease and salmon. Joshua: Frachtenberg JAFL XXVIII 231.
A2435.3.8 Why ant-bear eats insects. Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 366 No. 16.
A2435.3.9 Food of tiger.
A2435.3.9.1 Why tigers eat dogs. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2435.3.9.2 Why tigers eat uncooked food. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2435.3.9.3 Why tigers eat human flesh. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2435.3.9.4 Why tiger eats buffalo. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2435.3.10 Food of rat.
A2435.3.10.1 Why rat may eat rice. Brings original rice-plant from pond. India: *Thompson-Balys.
A2435.3.11 Food of reindeer. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges.
A2435.3.12 Food of hare. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges.
A2435.3.12.1 Why hare never drinks from rivers or streams. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2435.3.13 Food of squirrel. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges.
A2435.3.14 Food of pig. Jewish: Neuman.
A2435.3.14.1 Why pigs feed on excreta. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2435.3.15 Why wildcats come and eat chickens. Chinese: Graham.
A2435.3.16 Food of jaguar.
A2435.3.16.1 Why jaguars eat men. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 83.
A2435.3.17 Food of leopard.
A2435.3.17.1 Why leopards eat men. Africa (Cameroon): Rosenhuber 79.
A2435.4 Food of birds. Joshua: Frachtenberg JAFL XXVIII 232 (corpses). —India: Thompson-Balys; Japanese: Ikeda.
A2435.4.1 Food of cuckoo. (See A2241.4.)—Dh III 133.
A2435.4.2 Why crane suffers thirst. (See A2231.2.1.)
A2435.4.3 Why raven suffers thirst. (See A2234.1.)
A2435.4.4 Food of eagle. Tahltan: Teit JAFL XXXII 242 (fish).—Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 372 No. 21.
A2435.4.5 Food of buzzard. Ojibwa: Skinner JAFL XXXII 282.
A2435.4.5.1 Carrion as food of vultures. India: *Thompson-Balys.
A2435.4.6 Food of hawks. Ibo (Nigeria): Basden 140; Angola: Chatelain 111 No. 7.
A2435.4.7 Food of crow. Why crows peck at flesh of men. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2435.4.7.1 Why crow eats excrement. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2435.4.8 Food of cock.
A2435.4.8.1 Why cock scratches for food. Am. Negro: (Georgia) Harris Nights 56 No. 11.
A2435.4.9 Food of owl. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges.
A2435.4.9.1 Why owl eats no grain. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2435.4.9.2 Why owl drinks no water. India: Thompson-Balys.
A2435.4.10 Food of jackdaw. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges.
A2435.4.11 Food of wren.
A2435.4.11.1 Why wren eats no berries. Africa (Wakweli): Bender 69f.