Part Two

The Folktale from Ireland to India

III – The Simple Tale

1. Jests and Anecdotes

As the extensive survey of the complex tale has shown us, many o£ these elaborate narratives are a constant part of the folklore of peoples scattered over two or more continents. There is no doubt that complexity of structure gives to a tale a definiteness of pattern which helps to preserve its character in the face of vast differences of time and place. But a tale need by no means be complex in order to form a strong tradition. A very considerable proportion of the legendary stories among any people is made up of simple jests and anecdotes, sometimes of human beings and sometimes of animals, and consisting of but a single narrative motif. Even in the area restricted to Europe and Asia such stories are very numerous. Each country has developed many of them which are not known outside, and everywhere new anecdotes come to life and old ones pass into forgetfulness.

It would not be a safe generalization to conclude that the simple tale is less tenacious of life than one more complex. In spite of the ephemeral quality of some and the local nature of others, there exist hundreds of simple stories which have long and interesting histories. [292]

[292] Only the better known of these jests and anecdotes are discussed here. Those interested in examining a much more complete list may consult the Aarne-Thompson Types and the various surveys of the tales of particular countries mentioned on pp. 419ff. A tale known only in a very few versions in a single country, as well as one belonging almost purely to literature, has not seemed pertinent for discussion here.

The arrangement of the jests and anecdotes brought together here is suggested by the scheme of the author's Motif-Index. For tales of one motif, such an arrangement appears more logical than that of the Aarne-Thompson Types. The latter work is especially well adapted to the complex tale, and has been used, at least as a general basis, for the preceding chapter.