Aarne-Thompson-Uther (ATU) - Types of Folktales

1681: Foolish man builds aircastles

ATU > 1200-1999: ANECDOTES AND JOKES > 1525-1724: Stories about a Man > 1675-1724: The Stupid Man > 1681: Foolish man builds aircastles

Description

Foolishly kills his horse, throws his axe into the lake to kill a duck. Undresses to recover axe. Clothes stolen. Goes into barrel of tar to hide. In tar and feathers. [J2661.4]. Cf. Types 1383, 1690*.

Variants

1681A. Fool Prepares for the Wedding (Funeral)

On the way back from city he gives the meat to dogs, puts the pots on the stumps so that they will not freeze, spreads butter on the road so that it will be easier for the horses, puts salt in the river so that the horse will drink better, etc.…

1681B. Fool as Custodian for Home and Animals

Bathes grandmother in boiling water; kills baby, etc. (Same as Types 1012, 1013 but with stupid boy instead of rascal.)

No examples in our database yet

External Examples

Story	ATU	Origin	Author	Year	Source
Fool and His Brother	1681B	Mexican			Internet Archive
The Clever Servant	1681B	German			Internet Archive

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