Aarne-Thompson-Uther (ATU) - Types of Folktales
1562: "Think Thrice before you Speak."
Description
The youth obeys literally the precept even when he sees the master's coat on fire. [J2516.1, cf. J571.1].
Variants
1562A. The Master Who Gave Strange Names to Things in His House
The master has taught the servant to give peculiar names to everything. When the cat sets the barn afire the servant uses those extraordinary names and is so delayed that the fire is out of control. [J1269.12]. Cf. Type 1940.
1562B. Wife follows written instructions
She is to follow instructions which the husband has written down on a card. He falls into a brook and is about to drown. She goes home to see what his instructions on this point are. [J2516.3.1].
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