Aarne-Thompson-Uther (ATU) - Types of Folktales
960: The Sun Brings All to Light
Description
The murderer repeats as he sees the ray of the sun the last words of the dying man [D1715]. In this way the crime is brought to light [N271.1]. Or the murder is revealed by the unusual names of boys [N271.2]. Cf. Types 883C, 1376C*, 1530*.
Variants
960A. The Cranes of Ibycus
A murdered man calls on cranes, the only witnesses of the murder, to avenge trim. The cranes follow the murderer and point him out. [N271.3].
960B. Late Revenge
God avenges murder after thirty years [Q211.0.1]. A poor boy wants to marry the daughter of a rich man. The girl favors him, but she does not like his poverty. The boy murders a merchant end seizes his property.
The girl asks him first to find out the nature of the punishment in store for him. The boy speeds a night at the murdered man's grave. The dead man rises from his grave, and asks God for justice. A voice comes from heaven saying: »Thirty years from today you will be avenged». [M348]. The girl agrees to marry him. They live happily, and always postpone doing penance. At the appointed time the punishment takes place: the manor sinks and a lake appears [Q552.2.1], leaving only an article (book) of a guest who has accidentally spent the night at the ill-fated house.
The guest was forewarned by a mysterious voice, bidding him to flee.
Examples
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