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Prevuius group

Group No. 29


Letter

A. Mythological Motifs

Group No.

A2200 – A2299

Group name

Various causes of animal characteristics

Description

A2200 – A2599. ANIMAL CHARACTERISTICS
 
A2200 – A2299. Various causes of animal characteristics.
 
A2200. Cause of animal characteristics. See "Register" to Dähnhardt (III 537ff.); also articles scattered through RTP, e. g., V 244, VI, 314, 473, VII 479, VIII 557, IX 165, 491, 646, X 26, 176, 301, 363, XII 667, XIII 344, XIV 379, XV 425, XVI 445, XVII 150, 344, 578. – Jewish: Neuman; Australian: Dixon 290; Miwok: Powers CNAE III 359; Karok: ibid. 36; Alsea: Frachtenberg BBAE LXVII 47ff.; Southern Ute: Lowie JAFL XXXVII 14 No. 6.
 
A2201. All qualities of animals appear with their creation. Jewish: Neuman.
 
A2210. Animal characteristics: change in ancient animal. (Cf. A2311.) – Dh III 7ff.
 
B1. Animal elders. Mythical ancestors of tne present animals.
 
A2211. Animal characteristics: accidental action of ancient animal.
 
A2211.1. Lynx views country from mountainside: cause of his squint. (Cf. A2330.2.) – Ojibwa: Jones-Michelson PAES VII (II) 131 No. 10.
 
A2211.2. Rabbit laughs: cause of hare-lip. (Cf. A2216.3, A2234.4, A2342.1.) – *Type 47A; *BP III 75 n. 1. – Finnish: Aarne FFC XXV 144 No. 35; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 89 No. 71; India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2211.3. Wolf falls out of nest: cause of straight back. (Cf. A2356.2.2.) – Finnish: Aarne FFC XXXIII 53 No. 76**.
 
A2211.4. Why some whales die on land: first whale did so. Tuamotu Stimson MS (z – G 13/320).
 
A2211.5. Shrew blows nose into snout. Sent after fire, he finds but a little which he tries to revive by hard blowing. – Fang: Nassau 234 No. 3.
 
A2211.6. Spider carries large stone on head and drops it: hence spiders under stones. (Cf. A2433.5.3.) – Gold coast: Barker and Sinclair 84 No. 13.
 
A2211.7. Birds cling to sky in flood: cause of tail colors. (Cf. A2412.2.) – N. Am. Indian: *Thompson Tales 287 n. 57a.
 
A2211.8. Lizard dips head in palm-oil: cause of red head. (Cf. 2320.3.) – Ibo (Nigeria): Basden 278.
 
A2211.9. Lizard swallows fish bone: hence head bobs up and down. (Cf. A2474.1.) – Ibo (Nigeria): Basden 278.
 
A2211.10. Tortoise left out in rain: hard shell develops. (Cf. A2312.1.) – – Gold Coast: Barker and Sinclair 115 No. 20.
 
A2211.11. How rattlesnake became harmful: earthworm feeds him chili pepper. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 68.
 
A2211.12. Buffalo helps tiger quench fire: white mark left on buffalo‘s neck where tiger held on while being ducked in water. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2211.13. Stag defeated by snail vomits his gall-bladder. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2211.14. Rat defecates on octopus’s head: origin of tubercles on head. Tonga: Gifford 206.
 
A2211.15. Goddess scatters pubic hairs on fish: why he has so many bones. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (t – G 2/44).
 
A2212. Animal characteristics from great fear. *Dh III 243ff.
 
A2212.1. Frightened rabbit puts head in charred tree: hence black ears. (Cf. A2325.2.) – Finnish: Aarne FFC VII 13 No. 71.
 
A2212.2. Frightened animals scatter: cause of present habitat of each. (Cf. A2433.1.) – Kaffir: Theal 172, 176.
 
A2213. Animal characteristics from squeezing or stretching ancient animal. (See A2231.9).
 
A2213.1. Ancient animal squeezed: hence small size. (Cf. A2302.) – Dh III 2 – 7 (hazel-grouse, squirrel, eagle, wolf, snake‘s head.)
 
A2213.2. Animal pressed: hence facial or bodily marks. (Cf. A2412.4.) – Dh III 54, (cf. I 201f., 248, II 195); India: Thompson-Balys.
 
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).
 
A2213.2.2. Tortoise pressed into earth: hence humpy back. (Cf. A2356.2.9.) Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 380.
 
A2213.2.3. Baboon pressed on hot, flat rock: hence bald place on his back. (Cf. A2317.10.) – Africa (Hottentot): Bleek 39 No. 19; Indonesian: De Vries’s list No. 74.
 
A2213.2.4. Why lobster is shallow: insulted cattle step on it. Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 13, No. 2.
 
A2213.3. Animals‘ size increased by stretching. (Cf. A2312.1, A2301.) – Dh III 2 – 5 (fish, bat, flying squirrel, monkey).
 
A2213.4. Animal characteristics changed by stretching.
 
A2213.4.1. Coyote’s muzzle pulled out long. (Cf. A2335.4.4.) – Dh III
 
A2213.4.2. Fox‘s tail pulled out long. (Cf. A2378.3.4.) – Dh III 3.
 
A2213.4.3. Mouse’s nose pulled out long. Salinan: Mason U. Cal. XIV 64.
 
A2213.5. Animal characteristics from being struck.
 
A2213.5.1. Mole struck on head in attempt to steal fire: hence his flat head. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 109.
 
A2213.5.2. Fish struck by coconut: hence flat tail. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (t-G 3/600).
 
A2214. Animal characteristics from dropping ancient animal from air.
 
A2214.1. Swallow thrown on his tail: cause of split tail. (Cf. A2378.5.1.) – Dh II 126, III 419. – Aarne FFC VII 16 No. 85; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 87 No. 85.
 
A2214.2. Ant thrown from heaven: hence narrow waist. God decides dispute between ant and spider in spider‘s favor. (Cf. A2355.1.2.) – Finnish: Aarne FFC VII 22 No. 124, XXXIII 55 No. 124; Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 149 No. 66; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 89 No. 124; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3200, Legends Nos 291 – 94; India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2214.3. Unicorn thrown from ark and drowned: hence no longer exists. Dh I 287f.
 
A2214.4. Crab thrown to ground: breaks into small pieces. Hence crabs are small. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2214.5. Tortoise hurled on rock: half falls on land, half in water. Therefore amphibious. African (Nigeria): Herskovits JAFL XLIV 448ff.
 
A2214.5.1. Tortoise dropped by eagle: hence cracks in his shell. (Cf. A2312.1.1.) – Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 373 No. 23.
 
A2214.6. Bat falls from high perch due to extreme heat of sun’s rays, breaks bones, etc. Hence peculiar feet and nose. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2215. Animal characteristics from throwing members at ancient animal.
 
A2215.1. Stick (leaf) thrown at animal‘s rump: hence tails. (Cf. A2378.3.3.) – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 14 No. 77 (wolf). – Banks Is.: Dixon 144 (rat).
 
A2215.2. Hare runs away at creation; almost loses tail. When, as the most timid of all beasts, he runs away, God throws a tail at him from a pile of tails. (Cf. A2378.4.1.) – Dh III 185. – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 13 No. 72; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 86 No. 72.
 
A2215.3. Bowl placed on turtle’s back: hence his shell. (Cf. A2312.1.) – British New Guinea: Dixon 145.
 
A2215.4. Red fruit thrown at rail‘s (bird’s) head: hence red lump on head. (Cf. A2321.8.) – Banks Is: Dixon 144.
 
A2215.5. Fox struck with churn-dash: hence white tail. (Cf. A2378.8.1.) – Cf. Type 3. – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 15 No. 79; Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 146 No. 43.
 
A2215.6. God throws diver‘s feet after him; hence his feet reach backward. (Cf. A2371.2.9.) Dh III 46. – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 18 No. 103.
 
A2216. Animal characteristics: members bitten or cut off. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (z – G 13/441).
 
A2216.1. Bear fishes through ice with tail: hence lacks tail. (Cf. A2378.2.4.) – *Type 2; Dh III 49. – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 14 No. 78; Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 146 No. 42; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 86 No. 78; Japanese: Ikeda.
 
A2216.2. Devil pulls off goats’ tails: hence lack tails. (Cf. A2378.2.2.) – *BP III 200 (Gr. No. 148).
 
A2216.3. Moon splits hare‘s lip with hatchet: hence hare-lip. (Cf. A2211.2, A751.5.1, A2342.1.) – Hottentot: Bleek 72 No. 33.
 
A2216.4. Bush-rat bites off tortoise’s tail: hence tortoise‘s short tail. (Cf. A2378.4.4.) – Ibo (Nigeria): Thomas 70.
 
A2216.5. Hawk’s tail cut in two by sword as he is being transformed. Cause of his forked tail. (Cf. A2378.5.2.) – Dh III 54.
 
A2216.6. God as falcon has tail cut off: hence falcon‘s short tail. Icel.: Boberg.
 
A2216.7. Formerly animals have ears like elephant’s: hare bites them off. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2217. Appearance of animal from marking or painting.
 
A2217.1. Birds painted their present colors. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3158; N. Am. Indian: *Boas RBAE XXXI 664, (Tahltan): Teit JAFL XXXII 208 No. 1 (10), (Cherokee): Alexander N. Am. 66 (robin redbreast).
 
A2217.2. Chipmunk‘s back scratched: hence his stripes. As he is trying to escape, bear catches him with his claws and marks him permanently. (Cf. A2413.2.) – Seneca: Curtin-Hewitt RBAE XXXII 111 No. 13, 422 No. 78, Curtin Seneca 437, 505.
 
A2217.3. Marks on certain fish from fingerprints. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (z – G 13/317, t – G 3/600).
 
A2217.3.1. Marks on certain fish from St. Peter’s fingerprints. (Cf. A901, A2217.2, A2412.4). – Dh II 180 ff., III 55. – Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 89 No. 119b; Irish: Beal XXI 305; England: Baughman.
 
A2217.3.2. Marks on certain fish from devil‘s fingerprints. England: *Baughman.
 
A2218. Animal characteristics from burning or singeing. (Cf. A2378.8.4, A2411.1.2.5, A2411.1.3.2, A2411.1.4.1, A2411.1.6.5, A2411.2.1.1, A2411.2.1.4, A2411.2.1.7, A2411.2.1.11, A2411.2.5.2, A2411.2.5.1, A2411.2.1.15, A2411.2.6.8, A2411.4.3, A2411.5.3.) – Dh III 71ff; Chinese: Graham.
 
A2218.1. Raven caught in smoke-hole: hence is black. (Cf. A2411.2.1.5.) – Dh III 72, 77ff. – N. A. Indian: *Boas RBAE XXXI 652, (Tahltan): Teit JAFL XXXII 203 No. 1 (3).
 
A2218.1.1. Animal scorches self while putting out fire in land of fire, woe and darkness. Wales: Baughman.
 
A2218.2. Jackal carries sun in bag on back; burns his back black. (Cf. A721.1, A2356.3.2.) – Hottentot: Bleek 67 No. 29.
 
A2218.3. Animal who steals fire scorched: cause of his color. (Cf. A1415.) – Dh III 93ff. – India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2218.4. Coyote burnt when hay is set afire: hence yellow patch behind his ears. Salinan: Mason U. Cal. XIV 88, cf. 107.
 
A2218.5. Robin steals fire, has breast scorched. England: Baughman.
 
A2218.6. Raven singes feet on hot stones: why its wings clap when it flies. (Cf. A2442.2.1.) – Dh III 72. – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 17 No. 91.
 
A2218.7. Rabbit burns self under chin when he steals an ember. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS XL 109.
 
A2218.8. Eel burned by torch: hence red eyes. Marquesas: Handy 80.
 
A2219. Other accidents to ancient animal.
 
A2219.1. Animal has color spilled on him: cause of his color. (Cf. A2391.1, A2411.1.2.4, A2411.1.3.1, A2411.2.1.1, A2411.1.4.2, A2411.1.6.3, A2411.2.1.4, A2411.2.4.1, A2411.2.6.1, A2411.2.6.5, A2411.2.6.6, A2411.2.6.11, A2411.4.1.) – Dh III 64ff. – India: Thompson-Balys; Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 366 No. 17; S. Am. Indian (Cashinawa): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (3) 685.
 
A2219.2. Cow swallows book; cause of maniplies in stomach. Cheremis: Sebeok-Nyerges.
 
A2219.3. Only one serpent had sting: fed poison to the rest. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2220. Animal characteristics as reward.
 
A2220.1. Hedgehog’s skin reward for good deed. (Cf. A2311.4.) – Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 146 No. 44.
 
A2221. Animal characteristics reward for pious act. (Cf. A2231.).
 
A2221.1. Animals blessed for honoring infant Jesus. (Cf. A2231.4, A2356.2.7, A2381.1.) – Dh II 15f., 195ff.; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 86 No. 58c (cross on back of ass). – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 13 No. 67 (hog has good flesh); French: Sébillot France III 256.
 
A2221.2. Animals blessed for good services at crucifixion. (Cf. A2231.2.)
 
A2221.2.1. Flies on Christ‘s body rewarded. They look like nails and prevent more nails being driven. They may eat at the king’s table. (Cf. A2545.1.) Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 150 No. 68 (cf. No. 69).
 
A2221.2.2. Blood from cross on robin redbreast: He helps Jesus; rewarded with red breast. (Cf. A2353.2.) – Fb “rodkjælk”. – Finnish: Aarne FFC XXXIII 54 No. 92**; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 90 No. 82; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 87 No. 92**; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3130, Legends Nos. 229ff.; England: Baughman.
 
A2221.2.3. Blood of scourged Christ on certain spiders. (Cf. A2411.3.2.) – Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 89 No. 122a.
 
A2221.2.4. Swallows lift Christ‘s crown of thorns from his brow: why their nests are not destroyed. (Cf. A2431.3.5.) – Fb “svale” III 660b; Sébillot RTP III 156.
 
A2221.2.4.1. Swallows put on mourning at crucifixion: have never taken it off. Spanish: Boggs FFC XC 37 No. *243.
 
A2221.2.4.2. Crossbill, attempting to draw thorn from the crown of thorns, twists bill in the attempt. England: Baughman.
 
A2221.3. Markings on animals as recollections of Christ’s life and sufferings. (cf. A2412.) – Dh II 227ff.
 
A2221.4. Ant collects incense and myrrh for Christ: grows thin in middle. (Cf. A2451.1, A2453.1.) – Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 93 No. 98.
 
A2221.5. Animal blessed for helping holy fugitive. (Cf. A2231.7.1.) – Dh II 53ff. – Irish: Beal XXI 306; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 93 No. 100.
 
A2221.5.1. Ox helps patriarch who in joy kisses him on the lips: hence no hair on ox’s lips. Jewish: bin Gorion Born Judas III 118, 304, *Neuman.
 
A2221.6. Animal blessed for obedience to deity.
 
A2221.6.1. Bird coloring as reward for obedience to deity. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2221.7. Dove returns to ark in obedience to Noah: receives sheen of raven. Irish myth: Cross.
 
A2221.8. Squirrel‘s markings and immunity from falling as reward by deity. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2221.9. Why sheep walk with bowed heads: they have remained so after having bowed to God. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2221.10. Sheep helpful to the Lord: get wool. Irish: Beal V 271.
 
A2221.11. Deity rewards animal for bringing him water: cause of present characteristics. Maori: Clark 54.
 
A2222. Animal characteristics reward for hospitality.
 
A2222.1. Thrush‘s hospitality to peacock rewarded by being given motley coat of feathers. (Cf. A2411.2.1.1.) – Type 235. – Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 90 No. 81.
 
A2223. Animal characteristics reward for helpfulness.
 
A2223.1. Cat helps man build house: may occupy chimney corner. (Cf. A2233.2, A2433.3.1.) – Dh III 203f.
 
A2223.2. Bird carries deity (his daughter) home from land of skulls: given brilliant plumage. (Cf. A2313.4, A2321.6, A2421.5.) – African (Ekoi): Talbot 276.
 
A2223.3. Mouse gathers rice for man: may eat a little of his rice daily. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2223.4. Pike helps Christ cross stream: made king of fishes. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 286.
 
A2223.5. Dog guards master’s life and wealth: may eat before other animals. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2223.6. Tortoise given hard shell when it ferries rice-goddess across stream. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2223.7. Ravens show Adam how to bury dead: are born with white feathers. Jewish: Neuman.
 
A2223.8. Chameleon saves hero’s life: may change color. Fang: Einstein 96.
 
A2229. Animal characteristics as reward – miscellaneous.
 
A2229.1. Dog rescues cow‘s teats from fire: origin of his black muzzle. (Cf. A2335.4.3.) – *Dh III 72ff., 500 – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 10 No. 48, XXXIII 53 No. 48; Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 143 No. 27.
 
A2229.2. Dog lets devil into church to steal: rewarded with dog-skin. (Cf. A2311.1.) – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 10 No. 50.
 
A2229.3. Owl will not betray curate: therefore may live in steeple. (Cf. A2433.4.1.) – Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 88 No. 98b.
 
A2229.4. Fly steals fire from spider: may eat everywhere. Spider brings fire from hell. Fly steals it from him on the way. (Cf. A2545.1.) – Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 93 No. 101.
 
A2229.5. Cuckoo delivers other birds from their cruel king: they agree to hatch out cuckoo’s young. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3137; Legends Nos. 253ff.
 
A2229.6. Bird has red spot on its tail as reward for having moved woman‘s organ to its present position. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2230. Animal characteristics as punishment.
 
A2231. Animal characteristics: punishment for impiety. (Cf. A2221, A2311.8, A2422.2, A2302.2, A2355.1.2, A2542.1.) – Dh II 252f. (fish). – Spanish Exempla: Keller; Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 17 No. 97, XXXIII 54 No. 97 (hazelcock).
 
A2231.1. Animal characteristics: punishment for discourteous answer to God (saint). (Cf. A2411.2.6.) – Jewish: Neuman; Maori: Clark 53.
 
A2231.1.1. Discourteous answer: why cow (horse) is always eating. When God (Peter) wants to use the cow (horse) the excuse is made that she (he) is eating. Curse: “May you always be eating!” (Cf. A2472.1, A2478.) – Dh II 93; *Fb “hest” IV 211b. – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 11 No. 59 (horse); ibid. 12 No. 62 (cow); Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 143 No. 32 (horse); Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3094, Legends Nos. 163 – 175.
 
A2231.1.2. Discourteous answer: flounder’s crooked mouth. When God asks him where he is going, instead of answering he turns to go toward God. His mouth becomes crooked. (Cf. A2341.1.) – Dh III 24f. – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 21 No. 117; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 91 No. 92; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 89 No. 117; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3178, Legends Nos. 273 – 281.
 
A2231.1.3. Discourteous answer: why crab has eyes behind. (Cf. A2332.4.1.) – Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 151 No. 74; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3178, Legends Nos. 273 – 281.
 
A2231.1.4. Discourteous answer: tortoise‘s shell. Zeus celebrates a wedding and invites the animals. Tortoise is late. Why? “I like my house.” “May you bear your house always.” (Cf. A2312.1.) – Dh IV 275f. – Wienert FFC LVI 76 (ET 424), 139 (ST 443); Halm Aesop No. 154.
 
A2231.2. Animal characteristics: punishment for hostility at crucifixion. (Cf. A2221.2.) – Dh II 202ff. – Lithuanian: Balys Legends Nos. 251f., 264.
 
A2231.2.1. Crane will not weep at crucifixion: must suffer thirst in August and break bills. Is the only bird who will not weep. (Cf. A2234.1, A2435.4.2.) – Köhler-Bolte I 3.
 
A2231.2.2. Swallows torment Christ on cross: lose voice. (Cf. A2422.9.) – Fb “svale” III 660b.
 
A2231.3. Animal characteristics: punishment for working on holy day.
 
A2231.3.1. Cuckoo builds nest on Annunciation Day: has no nest. (Cf. A2431.2.1.) – Dh II 6.
 
A2231.3.2. Bees work on Sabbath: may not get honey from red clover. (Cf. A2435.5.1.) – *Dh III 306ff. – North Carolina: Brown Collection I 634.
 
A2231.4. Frog fails to honor infant Jesus: loses tail. (Cf. A2221.1, A2378.2.3. – Dh II 17.
 
A2231.5. Spider vies with Virgin Mary in spinning: cursed. Dh II 253.
 
A2231.6. Spider steals thread from Christ: has thread in back of body. (Cf. A2356.2.8.) – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 22 No. 123; Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 149 No. 65.
 
A2231.7. Animal harmful to holy person cursed.
 
A2231.7.1. Animal cursed for betraying holy fugitive. (Cf. A2221.5.) – Dh II 51ff.; Child V 491 s.v. “partridge”; Ireland: Baughman.
 
A2231.7.1.1. Beetle cursed for betraying Holy Family on way to Egypt; beetle now has its eyes always on the ground. Ireland, Scotland: *Baughman.
 
A2231.7.2. Animal cursed for refusing to carry holy fugitive across stream. (Cf. A2371.2.1.) – Dh II 88ff. – Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 286.
 
A2231.7.3. Tortoise cursed for going under water while ferrying rice-goddess: people will be able to kill it with iron-made spears. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2231.8. Toad refuses to weep over its dead children: dries up when dead. Cursed by Virgin Mary. (Cf. A2234.4, A2468.2.) – Dh II 247f.
 
A2231.9. Fish in deluge deride God: are flattened with blow. They mock God for his powerlessness over them. (Cf. A2213, A2305.1, A2354.1.) – Dh I 290.
 
A2231.10. Crab beats deity‘s forbidden drum: eyes lift out of body. (Cf. A2332.4.2.) – Fjort: Dennett 123.
 
A2231.11. Beetle demands return of gold from God: must hum. In his overweening pride he hits fence and ever afterward has hummed. (Cf. A2426.3.1.) – Dh. III 376. – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 22 No. 121.
 
A2231.12. Buffaloes fail to come at god’s leavetaking: now are killed by tigers. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2231.13. Loris refuse to look at sun who comes out when they are dancing: hence never looks at sun. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2232. Animal characteristics: punishment for immoderate request. Dissatisfied animal finds that when his request is granted he is worse off than before. – *Dh III 176ff.
 
A2232.1. Camel asks for horns: punishment, short ears. (Cf. A2325.4.) – Dh IV 265f.; *Köhler-Bolte I 579; *Crane Vitry 148f. No. 37; Jewish: Neuman; *Chauvin II 110 No. 76, 118 No. 102 (ass), Sébillot RTP II 492; Wienert FFC LVI 78 (ET 437); 109 (ST 215, 389); Halm Aesop No. 184.
 
A2232.2. Bees pray for sting: punishment, first sting suicidal. (Cf. A2346.1.) – Dh IV 266; Wienert FFC LVI 77 (ET 434), 110 (ST 216); Halm Aesop No. 287.
 
A2232.3. Beetle makes immoderate request; ant moderate: inverse awards. Creator hears wishes of animals. Beetle wants strong, noble appearance. Ant is modest. Beetle punished by being made to creep on ground. Ant is given own castle. (Cf. A2441.3.1.) Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 92 No. 97.
 
A2232.4. Griffin disdains to go on ark; drowned: hence extinct. Dh I 288.
 
A2232.5. Animals ask for goddess‘s perfume: punishment, bad odor. (Cf. A2416.1.) – Tshi: Ellis 338.
 
A2232.6. Birds who aspire to blackbird’s coat punished. (Cf. A2412.2.2.) – Ila (Rhodesia); Smith and Dale 351 No. 6.
 
A2232.7. Peacock given ugly feet so as to prevent too great arrogance. (cf. A2375.2.2.) – Dh I 196.
 
A2232.8. Dog‘s embassy to Zeus chased forth; dogs seek ambassador: why dogs sniff each other under leg. (Cf. A2471.1.) – *Dh IV 137ff.
 
A2232.9. Ants ask God to give them wings: wind blows them away. Cyprus: Hadjioannou 64.
 
A2232.10. Raven attempts to imitate dove: punished with awkward gait. Jewish: Neuman.
 
A2232.11. Donkeys ask immediate reward from God: eat their own excrements. Jewish: Neuman.
 
A2233. Animal characteristics: punishment for laziness. S. Am. Indian (Toba): Métraux MAFLS 79.
 
A2233.1. Animals refuse to help dig well (make road) and are punished. *Type 55; *Dh III 312ff., 323.
 
A2233.1.1. Animals refuse to help dig well: may not drink from river or spring. (Cf. A2435.1.1.) – Type 55; Dh III 312ff. – Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 148 No. 54; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 90 No. 83; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3096, Legends Nos. 176 – 182.
 
A2233.1.2. Snake refuses to help make road: dies on road. (Cf. A2441.4.1.) – Type 55. – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 19 No. 108.
 
A2233.1.3. Shrew refuses to help make road: dies on road. (Cf. A2468.1.) – Dh III 323f.; cf. Type 55. – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 15 No. 80; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3098, Legends Nos. 183 – 191.
 
A2233.1.4. Sloth refuses to help make road: may not look upon sun. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2233.2. Dog will not help build house: must remain out of doors. (Cf. A2223.1, A2433.3.2.) – Dh III 203f.
 
A2233.2.1. Too cold for hare (dog) to build house in winter, not necessary in summer: must go without house. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 72*, Legends No. 214; Finnish: Aarne Index No. 72*; Russian: Andrejev No. 72**.
 
A2233.3. Owl as watchman goes to sleep: does not see by day. He is placed as watchman of wren who is imprisoned in a mousehole. (Cf. A2332.6.6.) – Type 221; *Dh IV 172ff.
 
A2233.4. Grasshopper builds no house for winter; ant strikes him blind: therefore born blind. (Cf. A2332.6.3.) – Dh III 21.
 
A2233.4.1. Bird neglects to build nest: goes without. (Cf. A2431.2.) – Dh. III 202ff.
 
A2234. Animal characteristics: punishment for disobedience. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2234.1. Raven does not return to Noah: must suffer thirst and break bill. (Cf. A2231.2.1, A2411.2.1.5, A2435.4.3.) – Variant: he is cursed to be black or to eat carrion. *Köhler-Bolte I 3; Dh I 284; Irish myth: Cross.
 
A2234.1.1. Raven does not return to ark in obedience to Noah: black color is resulting punishment. Irish myth: Cross; Jewish: Neuman.
 
A2234.2. Animals eat deity’s forbidden fruit: punished. (Cf. A2371.3.1.) – African (Ekoi): Talbot 377.
 
A2234.3. Lemur looks where forbidden: has big eyes. (Cf. A2332.3.1.) – Fang: Nassau 235 No. 3.
 
A2234.4. Hare weeps for mother when forbidden: moon hits him and cleaves lip. (Cf. A2211.2, A2231.8, A2342.1.) – Bushman: Bleek and Lloyd 59.
 
A2235. Animal characteristics caused by animal‘s lateness at distribution of qualities. (Cf. A2378.2.5.) – Dh III 182ff. – India: Thompson-Balys; Mpongwe: Nassau No. 11 (hog lacks horns); Gold Coast: Barker and Sinclair 145 No. 28 (leopard cannot catch game that passes him on right side); Congo: Weeks 213 No. 9 (water snake lacks poison): Zulu: Callaway 355 (hydrax lacks tail); Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 368 No. 19 (zebra lacks horns); Marshall Islands: Davenport 222.
 
A2236. Animal characteristics: punishment for planning man’s downfall. Jewish: Neuman.
 
A2236.1. What creature has sweetest blood: gnat‘s tongue torn out. Assembly to decide who has the sweetest blood so that it may be the food for the serpent. Gnat discovers that man has the sweetest blood. Rather than let him tell this secret, swallow tears out his tongue. Gnat can only buzz. (Cf. A2344.2, A2426.3.2.) – Dh I 281, 332ff.; Circassian: Nicolaides and Carnoy RTP I 80; Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 192.
 
A2236.2. Animal characteristics: punishment for carrying devil into paradise.
 
A2236.2.1. Snake carries devil into paradise: loses feet. (Cf. A2371.3.1.) – Dh I 207 – India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2236.2.2. Peacock has snake carry devil into paradise: cursed with ugly voice and feet. (Cf. A2375.2.2, A2423.1.2.) – Dh I 206.
 
A2236.3. Animal punished for not warning of devil’s temptation in Eden. India: *Thompson-Balys.
 
A2236.4. Magpie tells man he is to die next day: no tongue and long tail. God pulls out his tongue and makes his tail long for doing this forbidden thing. (Cf. A2344.2.6, A2378.3.1.) – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 16 No. 89.
 
A2236.5. Animal punished for not heralding dawn. India: *Thompson-Balys.
 
A2236.6. Nit tries to bore through man‘s head: must remain at edge of hair. (Cf. A2433.5.1.) – Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 151 No. 72; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 94 No. 106.
 
A2236.7. Jay carries sulphur to devil in hell: must be quiet at noon. North Carolina: Brown Collection I 633.
 
A2236.8. Cat commanded to pray so as not to slay man: why cat purrs. Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3121. Legends Nos. 222ff.
 
A2237. Animal characteristics punishment for meddling.
 
A2237.1. Animal reveals mistress’s adultery: punished by master. (Cf. A2411.2.1.5, A2422.1.1.). – Greek: Fox 280 (raven becomes black). – Zuñi: Handy JAFL XXXI 464 No. 17 (dog loses power of speech).
 
A2238. Animal characteristics: punishment for greed.
 
A2238.1. Rabbit (frog) eats seed-grain from fields: nose closed during sowing season. (Cf. A2335.2.4.) – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 21 No. 119; Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 290.
 
A2238.2. Ring-dove eats man‘s grain: man may kill him. Similarly francolin and guinea fowl. Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 351 No. 6.
 
A2238.3. Fish eat other fish: guilty must swim deep. (Cf. A2444.1.) – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 19 No. 104.
 
A2238.4. Diver eats nests of small birds: must not nest away from water. (Cf. A2431.3.2.) – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 19 No. 104.
 
A2239. Animal characteristics from miscellaneous punishments.
 
A2239.1. Hare punished for perjury: eyes deep in head. (Cf. A2332.4.1.). – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 13 No. 70.
 
A2239.2. Fly punished for failing to answer question: is speechless, buzzes and associates with foul things. (Cf. A2426.3.3, A2433.5.2.) Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 384.
 
A2239.3. Ass betrays deity’s secret: hence his ugly bray. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2239.3.1. Owl reveals deity’s secret: power of speech removed. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2239.4. Woodpecker punished for stinginess. North Carolina: Brown Collection I 633.
 
A2239.5. Animals punished for assaulting women. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2239.6. Ass has cross on shoulders from being struck by Balaam. (Cf. A2356.2.7.) – England: Baughman.
 
A2239.7. Crocodile is punished for trying to attack man he is carrying: has only half tongue. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2239.8. Animal punished for hardheadedness (frog toothless, mole sightless). Jewish: Neuman.
 
A2239.9. Why mouse is crushed whenever she crosses a road: elephant‘s curse. Africa (Sandeh): Casati I 221.
 
A2239.10. Why elephant hurts himself when running through the grass: mouse’s curse. Africa (Sandeh): Casati I 221.
 
A2240. Animal characteristics: obtaining another‘s qualities. Jewish: Neuman.
 
A2241. Animal characteristics: borrowing and not returning. Animal borrows a member (or quality) from another and refuses to return it. (Cf. A2242, A2313.3, A2345.1, A2351.3, A2375.2.1, A2421.4, A2435.4.1.) – *Dh III 130 ff. – Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 268ff.; India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2241.1. Stag’s horns borrowed from dog. (Cf. A2326.1.1.) – Dh. III 131.
 
A2241.2. Owl‘s wings borrowed from rat (or other animal). Dh III 131.
 
A2241.3. Partridge’s voice borrowed from tortoise. Dh III 132.
 
A2241.4. Cuckoo borrows food from other birds. (Cf. A2435.4.1.) – Dh III 133.
 
A2241.5. Nightingale borrows blindworm‘s eye. Each has one eye. Nightingale borrow’s blindworm‘s and will not return it. (Cf. A2332.6.1.) – *Type 234; *Dh III 136ff.; *Köhler-Bolte I 72. – Finnish: Aarne FFC XXXIII 55 No. 110** (frog in place of nightingale). – Japanese: Ikeda; English: Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet III v. 31.
 
A2241.6. Jay borrows cuckoo’s skin. (Cf. A2313.1.) – *Type 235.
 
A2241.7. Squirrel borrows coney‘s tail. When coney’s tail is not returned, he goes in shame to live among rocks. (Cf. A2378.1.5, A2433.3.5.) – Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 357 No. 10.
 
A2241.8. Boy borrows python‘s hands and feet: hence python lacks them. (Cf. A2371.3.1.) – Africa (Ekoi): Talbot 374.
 
A2241.9. Hornbill borrows tomtit’s bill. (Cf. A2343.1.4.) – Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 374 No. 24.
 
A2241.10. Beaver borrows muskrat‘s tail and never gives it back. Menomini: Skinner and Satterlee PaAM XIII 405.
 
A2241.11. Monkey borrows tail from deer and refuses to return it. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2242. Animal characteristics: obtaining for feast and not returning. (Cf. A2378.1.5, A2378.2.6.) – *Dh III 133ff.
 
A2243. Animal characteristics: lending and refusing to receive back. Indonesian: De Vries’s list No. 117.
 
A2243.1. Spider hands box to ant and refuses to take it back: hence ants carry huge loads. Gold Coast: Barker and Sinclair 66 No. 9.
 
A2245. Animal characteristics: stolen from another animal. (Cf. A2313.3, A2375.2.2.) – Dh III 127f. – India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2245.1. Thrush steals woodcock‘s song. (Cf. A2423.1.1, A2423.2.1.) – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 18 No. 98.
 
A2247. Animal characteristics: exchange of qualities. (Cf. A2313.2, A2326.1.2. A2326.1.4, A2326.2.1, A2332.6.5, A2345.4, A2378.1.3, A2378.1.4, A2421.2, A2421.3, A2431.3.3, A2431.3.4, A2435.3.1, A2435.3.2.) – Dh III 123 – 126. – Eskimo (West Hudson Bay): Boas BAM XV 307, (Labrador): Hawks GSCan XIV 159.
 
A2247.1. Buffalo and cow exchange hides: hence bad fitting hides. (Cf. A2311.6.) – Indonesian: *De Vries’s list No. 97.
 
A2247.2. Snake and turtle exchange head for fangs. Explains snake‘s fangs and snake-like head of turtle. (Cf. A2320.2, A 2345.5.) – Australian: Dixon 291.
 
A2247.3. Rhinoceros exchanges his red hide for hippopotamus’s black. (Cf. A2411.1.6.2., A2411.1.6.7.) – Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 372 No. 22.
 
A2247.4. Dove and magpie exchange eggs – dove‘s seven for magpie’s two: why dove has two eggs. (Cf. A2486.3.) – *Type 240.
 
A2247.5. Toad trades his tail for mole‘s eyes. Spanish: Boggs: FFC XC 38 No. 287.
 
A2247.6. Beaver and muskrat exchange tails. Malecite: Speck JAFL XXX 481f.
 
A2250. Animal characteristics: result of contest. *Dh III 141ff. – Arawak and Carib: Alexander Latin American 274; India: Thompson-Balys; Chinese: Graham.
 
A2250.1. Cock and ptarmigan in contest: winner to live in town. (Cf. A2433.1.1, A2433.4.2, A2433.4.3.) – Finnish: Aarne FFC XXXIII 54 No. 83*; Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 147 No. 49.
 
A2250.1.1. Man and tiger in contest: winner to live in town. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2250.2. Lizard wins contest with toad: why snakes and lizards change their skins. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2251. Animal characteristics from contest in carrying.
 
A2251.1. Ant carries load as heavy as himself. Defeats bear, raven (or other bird). Various explanations. (Cf. A2435.3.3, A2486.1.) – *Type 280; *Dh III 144.
 
A2252. Animal characteristics determined by race. *Dh III 142ff.
 
A2252.1. Race of animals to see where each shall live. (Cf. A2433.1.1.) – *Dh III 145.
 
A2252.2. Race of ox and horse: ox must labor. Horse wins and ox must serve as draft animal. (Cf. A2515.1.) – *Dh III 144.
 
A2252.3. Race of culture hero with ostrich: ostrich loses beautiful feathers. (Cf. A2402.2.) – Dh III 145.
 
A2252.4. Flounder complains in race: crooked mouth. In race between fish he cries out in jealousy because herring is winning. He is punished with crooked mouth. (Cf. A2341.1.) – *Dh IV 192 – 197; *BP III 284 (Gr. No. 172).
 
A2253. Animal characteristics from jumping contest.
 
A2253.1. Dog burned in jumping contest over fire: enmity between dog and hare. Dh III 324.
 
A2254. Bird characteristics from flying contests. German: Grimm No. 171.
 
A2255. Animal characteristics result of lawsuit.
 
A2255.1. Wool on his forehead awarded sheep in lawsuit. He is given the privilege of keeping it when the rest of his body is shorn. (Cf. A2322.5.) – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 12 No. 64.
 
A2255.2. Lizard loses lawsuit: must bob his head. Lizard and ant accused of theft of king‘s crow. Ant pours boiling water down lizard’s throat. When case is tried, lizard cannot talk but only bobs head up and down. Adjudged guilty and condemned to bob his head eternally. (Cf. A2474.1.) – Gold Coast: Barker and Sinclair 48 No. 5.
 
A2256. Animal characteristics from contest in watching.
 
A2256.1. Hare and man contest in watching for leaf to fall off tree. First one to succeed may eat other. Hare loses. India: *Thompson-Balys.
 
A2257. Animal characteristics from duel.
 
A2257.1. Why tiger does not attack wild boar until latter is old: result of duel. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2258. Animal characteristics: as a result of quarrel. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2260. Animal characteristics from transformation.
 
A2261. Animal characteristics from transformation of animal.
 
A2261.1. Shepherd transformed to bird still calls sheep: explanation of bird cries. Usually told of hoopoe and bittern. (Cf. A1952, A1965.2, A2275.3, A2425, A2426.2.3, A2426.2.4.) – *Dh III 392 – 396; BP III 285 (Gr. No. 173). – Japanese: Ikeda; Chinese: Eberhard FFC CXX 123 No. 83, 127.
 
A2261.2. Spider transformed for greediness: now occupies dark corners. (Cf. A2433.5.3.) – Gold Coast: Barker and Sinclair 69 No. 10.
 
A2261.3. Catfish transformed from woman still carries women‘s tatoo marks. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2261.3.1. Catfish transformed from children still carry marks of children’s knife holder. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2261.4. Woodpecker transformed from stingy woman: therefore stingy. North Carolina: Brown Collection I 633.
 
A2261.5. Weeping man turned into owl; still bewails sorrows. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2261.6. Snipe messenger for warriors because he was a messenger when a man. Tuamotu: Stimson MS (z – G 13/10).
 
A2262. Animal characteristics from transformation of implement (or other object). (Cf. A2335.3.1, A2378.3.3, A2378.4.1.) – *Dh III 14ff.
 
A2262.1. Horse originally had eyes on feet: put out and became eyelike marks. (Cf. A2371.2.7.) – Dh III 45. – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 12 No. 61.
 
A2262.2. Pegs driven into backs of baboons become tails. (Cf. A2378.9.2, A2378.1.1.) – Bushman (South of Zambesi): Theal 56.
 
A2262.3. Serpent steals from God‘s coat a stick for his back. (Cf. A2356.1.1.) – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 19 No. 109.
 
A2270. Animal characteristics from miscellaneous causes.
 
A2271. Animal characteristics learned from another animal.
 
A2271.1. Thrush teaches dove to build nest. (Cf. A2431.3.1.) – *Type 236; Dh III 191ff. – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 17 No. 93; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 88 No. 93.
 
A2271.2. Sparrow taught to sing by lark but not sufficiently: where sparrow got voice. Lithuanian: Balys Legends No. 266.
 
A2272. Animal characteristics: imitation of other animal or object.
 
A2272.1. Animal cries: imitation of sounds. (Cf. A2425.) – *BP II 283, III 365.
 
A2272.1.1. Nightingale hears boy call oxen: learns her song. (Cf. A2426.2.1.) – Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 147 No. 53.
 
A2272.1.2. Cricket hears water hiss on hot iron: learns his song. (Cf. A2426.3.4.) – Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 93 No. 99.
 
A2272.1.3. Garden warbler hears smith beat iron: learns his song. (Cf. A2426.2.2.) – Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 148 No. 55.
 
A2272.2. Lizard’s tail imitated from snake‘s. Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 20 No. 110, XXXIII 55 No. 110.
 
A2275. Animal habit a reminiscence of former experience.
 
A2275.1. Animal cries a lament for person lost when animal was transformed. (Cf. A2260, A2425.) – Dh III 387. – Benga: Nassau 163 No. 21; India: *Thompson-Balys.
 
A2275.2. Animal cries a lament over animal’s transformation. (Cf. A2425, A2426.2.5.) – *Dh III 376ff.
 
A2275.3. Animal cries reminiscent of former life as man. (Cf. A2261.1, A2426.2.3, A2426.2.4.) – Dh III 394ff., 398ff.; India: *Thompson-Balys.
 
A2275.4. Animal cries recall ancient adventure. The ancient animal cries out in difficulty. The present animal has the same cry. (Cf. A2426.1.1, A2426.4.1.) – India: Thompson-Balys; Ibo (Nigeria): Basden 139; Angola: Chatelain 217 No. 38.
 
A2275.4.1. Green pigeon cheated out of its chick: is always mourning. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2275.5. Animal‘s seeking attitude from ancient loss. The ancient animal loses something. Its descendants are forever seeking for the lost object. This explains the characteristic bearing of certain animals. (Cf. A2471.)
 
A2275.5.1. Hog loses pancake in mud: still seeks it. (Cf. A2471.2, A2477.1, Z24.1.) – *Dh III 280ff.; (Cf. Type 2025.)
 
A2275.5.2. Hawk (vulture) loses grandmother: still hovers and seeks her. (Cf. A2471.3.) – Ibo (Nigeria): Basden 274, (Cameroon): Mansfield 233.
 
A2275.5.3. Bat, diver, and thornbush shipwrecked. Bat brought money, bush put on clothes, and diver brought leather. All shipwrecked. Diver is looking for his leather. Bush looks for his clothers and holds fast to all passers-by. Bat is abroad only at night to escape creditors. (Cf. A2471.4, A2491.1.) – *Dh IV 273f; *BP I 137. (Gr. No. 18). – Wienert FFC LVI 35; Halm Aesop No. 306.
 
A2275.5.4. Dolphins seek King Solomon’s ring. He loses his magic ring in the sea. They are sent by God to get it. This is why they go up and down in the sea. (Cf. A2444.2.) – Dh I 331; Jewish: Neuman.
 
A2275.5.5. Dog loses his patent right; seeks it: why dogs look at one another under the tail. (Cf. A2471.1.) Dh IV 129. – U.S.: Baughman.
 
A2275.6. Son accidentally kills father, who returns to life as cuckoo and tells people when to sow grain. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2281. Enmity between animals from original quarrel. (Cf. A2494.1.1, A2494.1.3, A2494.2.3.) – Dh III 331. – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 11 Nos 56, 57; Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 143 No. 31; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 88 No. 62; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 86 No. 56; Jewish: Neuman; Japanese: Ikeda; Korean: Zong in-Sob 36 No. 20; Benga: Nassau 99 No. 6.
 
A2281.1. Cat loses dog’s certificate: enmity between cats and dogs. Dog is given a certificate of nobility. Through cat‘s carelessness it is lost. (Cf. A2275.5, A2494.1.2.) *Type 200. – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 11 No. 53; Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 143 No. 30; Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 88 No. 61; Flemish: DeMeyer FFC XXXVII 85 No. 53.
 
A2281.1.1. Cat garbles message from man to tiger: enmity between man and tiger. India: *Thompson-Balys.
 
A2281.1.2. Quarrel of dog and cat about which was higher caste. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2281.2. Squirrel steals dog’s needle: enmity between them. (Cf. A2494.4.1.) – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 11 No. 52.
 
A2281.3. Why cat and dog fight: dog ate up cat‘s part in master’s reward. India: Thompson-Balys.
 
A2282. Present habitat of animals result of ancient quarrel. (Cf. A2433.3.3, A2433.3.4, A2433.3.21, A2433.6.1.) – Benga: Nassau 202 No. 32; Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 372, 381.
 
A2283. Two animals learn songs together – one successfully, the other unsuccessfully. (Cf. A2425.) – *Dh III 365ff.
 
A2284. Origin of animal characteristics: animal persuaded into self-injury.
 
A2284.1. Animal persuaded to amputate limb: therefore lacks it. (Cf. A2371.2.10, A2377.1.) – Australian: Dixon 146 (kangaroo‘s forepaws), 288 (emu’s wings).
 
A2284.2. Bustard persuaded to kill all but two children: has but two eggs. (Cf. A2486.2.) – Australian: Dixon 289.
 
A2284.3. Worm, thinking that world is coming to end, blinds self so as not to see calamity. (Cf. A2332.6.4.) – Dh III 21.
 
A2284.4. Elephant tricked into eating own testicles. Has them inside. (Cf. A2365.1.1.) – Ila (Rhodesia): Smith and Dale 361 No. 14.
 
 
A2284.5. Coyote persuaded to break leg: therefore has thin right leg. (Cf. A2371.2.6.) – Dh III 46.
 
A2284.6. Jackal persuades hyena to jump and break foot. Latter has short left hind foot. (Cf. A2375.2.5.) – Hottentot: Bleek 14 No. 14.
 
A2286. Animal characteristics established by deity. Yunca (Peru): Alexander Lat. Am. Myth 229.
 
A2286.0.1. God makes serpent ugly. (Cf. A2402.1, A2494.) – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 19 No. 109.
 
A2286.1. Creation interrupted since God must go to a fire.
 
A2286.1.0.1. Animal characteristics because creator had not enough time to finish what he began. S. Am. Indian (Caingang): Métraux BBAE CXLIII (1) 474.
 
A2286.1.1. Creation of hog incomplete since God has to go to a fire: cause of hog's round snout. (Cf.A2335.4.2.) – Dh III 24, 493. – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 12 No. 65.
 
A2286.2. Animal characteristics result of contest between God and devil.
 
A2286.2.1. Devil's animals devour God's. God makes white fish, devil a pike to eat it up; God a worm, devil a frog to eat it, etc. (Cf. A1751.) – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 20 No. 115; Estonian: Aarne FFC XXV 149 No. 63.
 
A2286.2.2. Devil gives horse four eyes; God reduces them to two. Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 144 No. 33.
 
A2286.2.3. Devil's cows one-horned; God makes them two-horned. (Cf. A2326.3.1.) – Livonian: Loorits FFC LXVI 88 No. 63.
 
A2286.2.4. God changes color (tails) of devil's cows. Devil makes all animals of same color (or all tailless). When God makes them of different colors (or with tails) devil no longer recognizes them. (Cf. A2378.1.) – Esthonian: Aarne FFC XXV 146 No. 47; Lithuanian: Balys Index No. 3083, Legends Nos. 134 – 137.
 
A2287. Jesus causes animal characteristics. (Cf. A2221, A2231.)
 
A2287.1. Jesus drives evil spirits into hogs: hence short snouts. (Cf. A2335.4.1.) – Dh II 81. – Finnish: Aarne FFC VIII 12 No. 66.
 
A2287.1.1. Jesus drives evil spirits into hogs: hence "toes" on back of foreleg. (Cf. A2371.2.2.) – Dh II 82.
 
A2291. Animal characteristics obtained during deluge. Jewish: Neuman; Achawoi: Alexander Lat. Am. 270.
 
A1020. Escape from deluge. A2211.7. Birds cling to sky in flood: cause of tall colors. A2232.4. Griffin disdains to go on ark; drowned: hence extinct. A2234.1. Raven does not return to Noah: must suffer thirst and break bill. A2214.3. Unicorn thrown from ark and drowned: hence they no longer exist. A2382.1. Magpie is hybrid of dove and raven; was not baptized by water of the flood in Noah's time. B754.4. Male rabbit bears young. Female rabbit escaped Noah on ark and drowned.
 
A2292. Animal characteristics: change for convenience. India: *Thompson-Balys.
 
A2294. Wild animals lose their ferocity through fear of Behemoth. Jewish: Neuman.

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