Senex Caecus - Revision history

Janssen at 17:04, 20 February 2026

2026-02-20T17:04:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:04, 20 February 2026
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	\|Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man; or, The Merchant and the Rogues'''		\|Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man; or, The Merchant and the Rogues'''

	A young man inherits a great fortune, and sails away to distant lands to trade, where he is tricked by three rogues. The first rogue convinces him that the precious sandalwood (or aloe wood) he has purchased is actually worthless by burning a bit of it in the privy; he offers to replace the youth's stock of it with anything he desires. The second rogue beats the youth at dice, after wagering that the loser will drink all the waters in the sea. The third rogue, one-eyed, claimed that the youth (whose eyes looked like the rogue's) had stolen his eye, and must stand trial. The youth, tricked at every turn, despairs, but an old woman tells him where to find the wise blind man who counsels all the rogues in the city. The youth sneaks near to the blind man, and overhears the first rogue tell his story about tricking the dupe into believing his sandalwood was worthless. The old man says his promise to fill the young man's cart with anything he desires in exchange for the wood was foolish - what if the youth asks for his cart to be filled with fleas, half male and half female? The rogue protests that the young man won't be shrewd enough to say this. The second rogue tells his story, and the old man tells him that he, too, has done badly - what if the youth says that he WILL drink all the water in the sea, but not a drop more, and insists that the rogue must dam up all the rivers that flow into the sea before he begins drinking? The ~~seond~~ rogue also protests that the youth will not be that clever. The third rogue tells his story, and the old man cautions him - what if the youth says, 'Take out your eye, I'll take out mine, we'll weigh them to see if they are equal'? The youth sneaks away, and does exactly as the wise blind man had said, offering each of the rogues an impossible challenge, which they are of course unable to meet, and so he keeps his wealth, health, and freedom.		A young man inherits a great fortune, and sails away to distant lands to trade, where he is tricked by three rogues. The first rogue convinces him that the precious sandalwood (or aloe wood) he has purchased is actually worthless by burning a bit of it in the privy; he offers to replace the youth's stock of it with anything he desires. The second rogue beats the youth at dice, after wagering that the loser will drink all the waters in the sea. The third rogue, one-eyed, claimed that the youth (whose eyes looked like the rogue's) had stolen his eye, and must stand trial. The youth, tricked at every turn, despairs, but an old woman tells him where to find the wise blind man who counsels all the rogues in the city. The youth sneaks near to the blind man, and overhears the first rogue tell his story about tricking the dupe into believing his sandalwood was worthless. The old man says his promise to fill the young man's cart with anything he desires in exchange for the wood was foolish - what if the youth asks for his cart to be filled with fleas, half male and half female? The rogue protests that the young man won't be shrewd enough to say this. The second rogue tells his story, and the old man tells him that he, too, has done badly - what if the youth says that he WILL drink all the water in the sea, but not a drop more, and insists that the rogue must dam up all the rivers that flow into the sea before he begins drinking? The second rogue also protests that the youth will not be that clever. The third rogue tells his story, and the old man cautions him - what if the youth says, 'Take out your eye, I'll take out mine, we'll weigh them to see if they are equal'? The youth sneaks away, and does exactly as the wise blind man had said, offering each of the rogues an impossible challenge, which they are of course unable to meet, and so he keeps his wealth, health, and freedom.

Bonsall at 09:51, 27 November 2025

2025-11-27T09:51:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:51, 27 November 2025
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	\|Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man; or, The Merchant and the Rogues'''		\|Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man; or, The Merchant and the Rogues'''

	A young man inherits a great fortune, and sails away to distant lands to trade, where he is tricked by three rogues. The first rogue convinces him that the precious sandalwood (or aloe wood) he has purchased is actually worthless by burning a bit of it in the privy; he offers to replace the youth's stock of it with anything he desires. The second rogue beats the youth at dice, after wagering that the loser will drink all the waters in the sea. The third rogue, one-eyed, claimed that the youth (whose eyes looked like the rogue's) had stolen his eye, and must stand trial. The youth, tricked at every turn, despairs, but an old woman tells him where to find the wise blind man who counsels all the rogues in the city. The youth sneaks near to the blind man, and overhears the first rogue tell his story about tricking the dupe into believing his sandalwood was worthless. The old man says his promise to fill the young man's cart with anything he desires in exchange for the wood was foolish - what if the youth asks for his cart to be filled with fleas, half male and half female? The rogue protests that the young man won't be shrewd enough to say this. The second rogue tells his story, and the old man tells him that he, too, has done badly - what if the youth says that he WILL drink all the water in the sea, but not a drop more, and insists that the rogue must dam up all the rivers that flow into the sea before he begins drinking. The seond rogue also protests that the youth will not be that clever. The third rogue tells his story, and the old man cautions him - what if the youth says, 'Take out your eye, I'll take out mine, we'll weigh them to see if they are equal'? The youth sneaks away, and does exactly as the wise blind man had said, offering each of the rogues an impossible challenge, which they are of course unable to meet, and so he keeps his wealth, health, and freedom.		A young man inherits a great fortune, and sails away to distant lands to trade, where he is tricked by three rogues. The first rogue convinces him that the precious sandalwood (or aloe wood) he has purchased is actually worthless by burning a bit of it in the privy; he offers to replace the youth's stock of it with anything he desires. The second rogue beats the youth at dice, after wagering that the loser will drink all the waters in the sea. The third rogue, one-eyed, claimed that the youth (whose eyes looked like the rogue's) had stolen his eye, and must stand trial. The youth, tricked at every turn, despairs, but an old woman tells him where to find the wise blind man who counsels all the rogues in the city. The youth sneaks near to the blind man, and overhears the first rogue tell his story about tricking the dupe into believing his sandalwood was worthless. The old man says his promise to fill the young man's cart with anything he desires in exchange for the wood was foolish - what if the youth asks for his cart to be filled with fleas, half male and half female? The rogue protests that the young man won't be shrewd enough to say this. The second rogue tells his story, and the old man tells him that he, too, has done badly - what if the youth says that he WILL drink all the water in the sea, but not a drop more, and insists that the rogue must dam up all the rivers that flow into the sea before he begins drinking? The seond rogue also protests that the youth will not be that clever. The third rogue tells his story, and the old man cautions him - what if the youth says, 'Take out your eye, I'll take out mine, we'll weigh them to see if they are equal'? The youth sneaks away, and does exactly as the wise blind man had said, offering each of the rogues an impossible challenge, which they are of course unable to meet, and so he keeps his wealth, health, and freedom.

Bonsall at 17:15, 26 November 2025

2025-11-26T17:15:58Z

Bonsall at 10:50, 25 June 2025

2025-06-25T10:50:40Z

Noeth: Text replacement - "Has Content Tag=" to "Has Motif="

2025-03-04T19:13:08Z

Text replacement - "Has Content Tag=" to "Has Motif="

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:13, 4 March 2025
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	{{Inset Story		{{Inset Story
	\|Has Critical Literature=Epstein (1967); Nishimura (2001); Clouston (1884)		\|Has Critical Literature=Epstein (1967); Nishimura (2001); Clouston (1884)
	\|Has ~~Content Tag~~=Deception; Impossible conditions; Riches; (Threat of) bodily mutilation; Wise old woman; Wise old man; Blindness; Overheard secret		\|Has Motif=Deception; Impossible conditions; Riches; (Threat of) bodily mutilation; Wise old woman; Wise old man; Blindness; Overheard secret
	\|Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man'''		\|Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man'''

Bonsall at 13:31, 21 January 2025

2025-01-21T13:31:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:31, 21 January 2025
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	{{Inset Story		{{Inset Story
	\|Has Critical Literature=Epstein (1967); Nishimura (2001); Clouston (1884)		\|Has Critical Literature=Epstein (1967); Nishimura (2001); Clouston (1884)
	\|Has Content Tag=Deception; Impossible conditions; Riches; (Threat of) bodily mutilation; Wise old woman; Wise old man; Blindness		\|Has Content Tag=Deception; Impossible conditions; Riches; (Threat of) bodily mutilation; Wise old woman; Wise old man; Blindness; Overheard secret
	\|Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man'''		\|Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man'''

Bonsall at 13:00, 21 January 2025

2025-01-21T13:00:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:00, 21 January 2025
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	{{Inset Story		{{Inset Story
	\|Has Critical Literature=Epstein (1967); Nishimura (2001)		\|Has Critical Literature=Epstein (1967); Nishimura (2001); Clouston (1884)
	\|Has Content Tag=Deception; Impossible conditions; Riches; (Threat of) bodily mutilation; Wise old woman; Wise old man; Blindness		\|Has Content Tag=Deception; Impossible conditions; Riches; (Threat of) bodily mutilation; Wise old woman; Wise old man; Blindness
	\|Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man'''		\|Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man'''

	A foolish youth inherits a great fortune, and sails away to distant lands, where he is tricked by three rogues. The first rogue convinces him that the precious aloe wood (or sandalwood) he has purchased is actually worthless by burning a bit of it in the privy; he offers to replace the youth's stock of it with anything he desires. The second rogue beats the youth at dice, after wagering that the loser will drink all the waters in the sea. The third rogue, one-eyed, claimed that the youth (whose eyes looked like the rogue's) had stolen his eye, and must stand trial. The youth, tricked at every turn, despairs, but an old woman tells him where to find the wise blind man who counsels all the rogues in the city. The youth sneaks near to the blind man, and overhears the first rogue tell his story. The old man says his promise was foolish - what if the youth asks for his cart to be filled with fleas, half male and half female? The rogue protests that the young man won't be shrewd enough to say this. The second rogue tells his story, and the old man tells him that he, too, has done badly - what if the youth says, dam up all the rivers that flow into the sea and then I'll drink it. The seond rogue also protests that the youth will not be that clever. The third rogue tells his story, and the old man cautions him - what if the youth says, take out your eye, I'll take out mine, we'll weigh them to see if they are equal? The youth sneaks away, and does exactly as the wise blind man had said, offering each of the rogues an impossible challenge, which they are of course unable to meet, and so he keeps his wealth, health, and freedom.		A foolish youth inherits a great fortune, and sails away to distant lands, where he is tricked by three rogues. The first rogue convinces him that the precious aloe wood (or sandalwood) he has purchased is actually worthless by burning a bit of it in the privy; he offers to replace the youth's stock of it with anything he desires. The second rogue beats the youth at dice, after wagering that the loser will drink all the waters in the sea. The third rogue, one-eyed, claimed that the youth (whose eyes looked like the rogue's) had stolen his eye, and must stand trial. The youth, tricked at every turn, despairs, but an old woman tells him where to find the wise blind man who counsels all the rogues in the city. The youth sneaks near to the blind man, and overhears the first rogue tell his story. The old man says his promise was foolish - what if the youth asks for his cart to be filled with fleas, half male and half female? The rogue protests that the young man won't be shrewd enough to say this. The second rogue tells his story, and the old man tells him that he, too, has done badly - what if the youth says, dam up all the rivers that flow into the sea and then I'll drink it. The seond rogue also protests that the youth will not be that clever. The third rogue tells his story, and the old man cautions him - what if the youth says, take out your eye, I'll take out mine, we'll weigh them to see if they are equal? The youth sneaks away, and does exactly as the wise blind man had said, offering each of the rogues an impossible challenge, which they are of course unable to meet, and so he keeps his wealth, health, and freedom.
	\|Has Note=~~See~~ Nishimura ~~for~~ an extensive list of analoguous stories with impossible conditions in response to trickery.		\|Has Note=Nishimura offers an extensive list of analoguous stories with impossible conditions in response to trickery, as well as relevant motifs and reference narratives:

			'''Motifs:''' TMI F655: Extraordinary perception of blind men; H919.4: Impossible task assigned by plaintiff as proof. H1129.10.1 Impossible task: assembling a huge quantity of many-colored fleas; H1142.3 Task: drinking the sea dry: countertask: stop all the rivers; N411.5 :Sandalwood merchant sells his product at high price in land lacking sandalwood; N455.2.1: Robber’s secret overheard and later used in court against them; ATU978 The Youth in the Land of the Cheaters.

			'''Reference stories, etc.:'''

			* Jacques de Vitry, ''Exempla'', 208 ‘When Jacques de Vitry was at Paris…’
			* Stories of the drinking the sea dry are is related in: Plutarchos, ''Feast of the Seven Wise Men'', 150F-151E; ''The Life of Aesop'', 69-73; Steinhöwel, ''Äsop'', ‘Life of Aesop’, 15; Caxton, ''Fables of Aesop'', pp. 244-246; ''Esopo no Fabulas'', ‘The Life of Aesop’, pp. 25-26; ''Isoho Monogatari'', vol.1, 7 ‘Of the Covenant of Shanto to drink the Sea dry’; Schwarzbaum, ''Jewish and World Folklore'', 273 ‘The Wager’; stories ‘How much water is in the sea?’ and ‘Dam the river’: ''Pfaffe Amis'', 1; ''Till Eulenspiegel'', 28 ‘Wie Ulenspiegel zu Brag in Behemen…’; ''Grimm’s Fairy Tales'', KHM 152 ‘Das Hirtenbüblein’ and KHM 134 ‘Die sechs Diener’; ''Folklore ordos'', No. 24, ‘Esergei et Mesergei’.
			* Stories in which a man escapes from difficulty by eavesdropping (on the answer to a riddle): ‘The Devil and the Devil’s Granny’ in ''Grimm’s Fairy Tales'', KHM 125 ‘Der Teufel und seine Großmutter’; ''Golden Legend'', 129 ‘Praise of the Holy Cross’, pp. 411-414.
			* Motifs similar to fleas: ''Mahabharata'', 3.115.12 and 5.104.26; ''The Book of Dede Korkut'', 3 ‘Bamus Beiraki, the Son of Bai Byure’.
			* Similar treatment of riddling is found in: ''Akbar and Birbal Vinod'' (From ''Humorous Tales from India'', pp. 167-168); ''Kathasaritsagara'', chapter 74, 163F: 'Akshakshapaṇaka and the Wooden Doll’ and ch. 124, 171G: 'Muladeva and the Brahmin’s Daughter’; ''Nihon Mukashibanashi Tsukan'', 28 ‘Type Index’ 807-814 ('difficult question and answer’ stories; 807 ‘Difficult question and answer -- which is the sounding hand’ is also in Rumi’s ''Mathanavi'', 3.1380-1385).


			'''Additional Bibliography:''' Chauvin VIII 26; Landau 23; ''A World Tour of Laughter'', ‘How Much Water is in the Ocean? -- Cough up the river’. ''Nihon Mukashibanashi Tsukan'', ‘Kenkyu-hen 2’, 807-814; Marzolph, 32.
	}}		}}

Bonsall at 11:43, 21 January 2025

2025-01-21T11:43:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:43, 21 January 2025
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	{{Inset Story		{{Inset Story
	\|Has Critical Literature=Epstein (1967); Nishimura (2001)		\|Has Critical Literature=Epstein (1967); Nishimura (2001)
			\|Has Content Tag=Deception; Impossible conditions; Riches; (Threat of) bodily mutilation; Wise old woman; Wise old man; Blindness
	\|Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man'''		\|Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man'''

	A foolish youth inherits a great fortune, and sails away to distant lands, where he is tricked by three rogues. The first rogue convinces him that the aloe wood (or sandalwood) he has purchased is actually worthless by burning a bit of it in the privy; he offers to replace the youth's stock of it with anything he desires. The second rogue beats the youth at dice, after wagering that the loser will drink all the waters in the sea. The third rogue, one-eyed, claimed that the youth (whose eyes looked like the rogue's) had stolen his eye, and must stand trial. The youth, tricked at every turn, despairs, but an old woman tells him where to find the wise blind man who counsels all the rogues in the city. The youth sneaks near to the blind man, and overhears the first rogue tell his story. The old man says his promise was foolish - what if the youth asks for his cart to be filled with fleas, half male and half female? The rogue protests that the young man won't be shrewd enough to say this. The second rogue tells his story, and the old man tells him that he, too, has done badly - what if the youth says, dam up all the rivers that flow into the sea and then I'll drink it. The seond rogue also protests that the youth will not be that clever. The third rogue tells his story, and the old man cautions him - what if the youth says, take out your eye, I'll take out mine, we'll weigh them to see if they are equal? The youth sneaks away, and does exactly as the wise blind man had said, offering each of the rogues an impossible challenge, which they are of course unable to meet, and so he keeps his wealth, health, and freedom.		A foolish youth inherits a great fortune, and sails away to distant lands, where he is tricked by three rogues. The first rogue convinces him that the precious aloe wood (or sandalwood) he has purchased is actually worthless by burning a bit of it in the privy; he offers to replace the youth's stock of it with anything he desires. The second rogue beats the youth at dice, after wagering that the loser will drink all the waters in the sea. The third rogue, one-eyed, claimed that the youth (whose eyes looked like the rogue's) had stolen his eye, and must stand trial. The youth, tricked at every turn, despairs, but an old woman tells him where to find the wise blind man who counsels all the rogues in the city. The youth sneaks near to the blind man, and overhears the first rogue tell his story. The old man says his promise was foolish - what if the youth asks for his cart to be filled with fleas, half male and half female? The rogue protests that the young man won't be shrewd enough to say this. The second rogue tells his story, and the old man tells him that he, too, has done badly - what if the youth says, dam up all the rivers that flow into the sea and then I'll drink it. The seond rogue also protests that the youth will not be that clever. The third rogue tells his story, and the old man cautions him - what if the youth says, take out your eye, I'll take out mine, we'll weigh them to see if they are equal? The youth sneaks away, and does exactly as the wise blind man had said, offering each of the rogues an impossible challenge, which they are of course unable to meet, and so he keeps his wealth, health, and freedom.
	\|Has Note=See Nishimura for an extensive list of analoguous stories with impossible conditions in response to trickery.		\|Has Note=See Nishimura for an extensive list of analoguous stories with impossible conditions in response to trickery.
	}}		}}

Bonsall: Created page with "{{Inset Story |Has Critical Literature=Epstein (1967); Nishimura (2001) |Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man''' A foolish youth inherits a great fortune, and sails away to distant lands, where he is tricked by three rogues. The first rogue convinces him that the aloe wood (or sandalwood) he has purchased is actually worthless by burning a bit of it in the privy; he offers to replace the youth's stock of it with anything he desires. The second rogue beats the youth at dic..."

2024-12-11T15:03:08Z

Created page with "{{Inset Story |Has Critical Literature=Epstein (1967); Nishimura (2001) |Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man''' A foolish youth inherits a great fortune, and sails away to distant lands, where he is tricked by three rogues. The first rogue convinces him that the aloe wood (or sandalwood) he has purchased is actually worthless by burning a bit of it in the privy; he offers to replace the youth's stock of it with anything he desires. The second rogue beats the youth at dic..."

New page

{{Inset Story
|Has Critical Literature=Epstein (1967); Nishimura (2001)
|Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man'''

A foolish youth inherits a great fortune, and sails away to distant lands, where he is tricked by three rogues. The first rogue convinces him that the aloe wood (or sandalwood) he has purchased is actually worthless by burning a bit of it in the privy; he offers to replace the youth's stock of it with anything he desires. The second rogue beats the youth at dice, after wagering that the loser will drink all the waters in the sea. The third rogue, one-eyed, claimed that the youth (whose eyes looked like the rogue's) had stolen his eye, and must stand trial. The youth, tricked at every turn, despairs, but an old woman tells him where to find the wise blind man who counsels all the rogues in the city. The youth sneaks near to the blind man, and overhears the first rogue tell his story. The old man says his promise was foolish - what if the youth asks for his cart to be filled with fleas, half male and half female? The rogue protests that the young man won't be shrewd enough to say this. The second rogue tells his story, and the old man tells him that he, too, has done badly - what if the youth says, dam up all the rivers that flow into the sea and then I'll drink it. The seond rogue also protests that the youth will not be that clever. The third rogue tells his story, and the old man cautions him - what if the youth says, take out your eye, I'll take out mine, we'll weigh them to see if they are equal? The youth sneaks away, and does exactly as the wise blind man had said, offering each of the rogues an impossible challenge, which they are of course unable to meet, and so he keeps his wealth, health, and freedom.
|Has Note=See Nishimura for an extensive list of analoguous stories with impossible conditions in response to trickery.
}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:15, 26 November 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{Inset Story		{{Inset Story
	\|Has Critical Literature=Epstein (1967); Nishimura (2001); Clouston (1884); Bolens (2008)		\|Has Critical Literature=Epstein (1967); Nishimura (2001); Clouston (1884); Bolens (2008)
	\|Has Motif=Deception; Impossible conditions; Riches; (Threat of) bodily mutilation; Wise old woman; Wise old man; Blindness; Overheard secret		\|Has Motif=Deception; Impossible conditions; Riches; (Threat of) bodily mutilation; Wise old woman; Wise old man; Blindness; Overheard secret; Debt
	\|Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man; or, The Merchant and the Rogues'''		\|Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man; or, The Merchant and the Rogues'''

	A young man inherits a great fortune, and sails away to distant lands to trade, where he is tricked by three rogues. The first rogue convinces him that the precious aloe wood ~~(or sandalwood~~) he has purchased is actually worthless by burning a bit of it in the privy; he offers to replace the youth's stock of it with anything he desires. The second rogue beats the youth at dice, after wagering that the loser will drink all the waters in the sea. The third rogue, one-eyed, claimed that the youth (whose eyes looked like the rogue's) had stolen his eye, and must stand trial. The youth, tricked at every turn, despairs, but an old woman tells him where to find the wise blind man who counsels all the rogues in the city. The youth sneaks near to the blind man, and overhears the first rogue tell his story. The old man says his promise was foolish - what if the youth asks for his cart to be filled with fleas, half male and half female? The rogue protests that the young man won't be shrewd enough to say this. The second rogue tells his story, and the old man tells him that he, too, has done badly - what if the youth says, dam up all the rivers that flow into the sea ~~and then I'll drink it~~. The seond rogue also protests that the youth will not be that clever. The third rogue tells his story, and the old man cautions him - what if the youth says, ~~take~~ out your eye, I'll take out mine, we'll weigh them to see if they are equal? The youth sneaks away, and does exactly as the wise blind man had said, offering each of the rogues an impossible challenge, which they are of course unable to meet, and so he keeps his wealth, health, and freedom.		A young man inherits a great fortune, and sails away to distant lands to trade, where he is tricked by three rogues. The first rogue convinces him that the precious sandalwood (or aloe wood) he has purchased is actually worthless by burning a bit of it in the privy; he offers to replace the youth's stock of it with anything he desires. The second rogue beats the youth at dice, after wagering that the loser will drink all the waters in the sea. The third rogue, one-eyed, claimed that the youth (whose eyes looked like the rogue's) had stolen his eye, and must stand trial. The youth, tricked at every turn, despairs, but an old woman tells him where to find the wise blind man who counsels all the rogues in the city. The youth sneaks near to the blind man, and overhears the first rogue tell his story about tricking the dupe into believing his sandalwood was worthless. The old man says his promise to fill the young man's cart with anything he desires in exchange for the wood was foolish - what if the youth asks for his cart to be filled with fleas, half male and half female? The rogue protests that the young man won't be shrewd enough to say this. The second rogue tells his story, and the old man tells him that he, too, has done badly - what if the youth says that he WILL drink all the water in the sea, but not a drop more, and insists that the rogue must dam up all the rivers that flow into the sea before he begins drinking. The seond rogue also protests that the youth will not be that clever. The third rogue tells his story, and the old man cautions him - what if the youth says, 'Take out your eye, I'll take out mine, we'll weigh them to see if they are equal'? The youth sneaks away, and does exactly as the wise blind man had said, offering each of the rogues an impossible challenge, which they are of course unable to meet, and so he keeps his wealth, health, and freedom.


			[From Epstein; added by Jane Bonsall.]
	\|Has Note=Nishimura offers an extensive list of analoguous stories with impossible conditions in response to trickery, as well as relevant motifs and reference narratives:		\|Has Note=Nishimura offers an extensive list of analoguous stories with impossible conditions in response to trickery, as well as relevant motifs and reference narratives:

	'''Motifs:''' TMI F655: Extraordinary perception of blind men; H919.4: Impossible task assigned by plaintiff as proof. H1129.10.1 Impossible task: assembling a huge quantity of many-colored fleas; H1142.3 Task: drinking the sea dry: countertask: stop all the rivers; N411.5: Sandalwood merchant sells his product at high price in land lacking sandalwood; N455.2.1: Robber’s secret overheard and later used in court against them; ATU978 The Youth in the Land of the Cheaters.		'''Motifs:''' TMI F655: Extraordinary perception of blind men; H919.4: Impossible task assigned by plaintiff as proof. H1129.10.1: Impossible task: assembling a huge quantity of many-colored fleas; H1142.3: Task: drinking the sea dry: countertask: stop all the rivers; N411.5: Sandalwood merchant sells his product at high price in land lacking sandalwood; N455.2.1: Robber’s secret overheard and later used in court against them; ATU978: The Youth in the Land of the Cheaters.

	'''Reference stories, etc.:'''		'''Reference stories, etc.:'''

	*Jacques de Vitry, ''Exempla'', 208 ‘When Jacques de Vitry was at Paris…’		* Jacques de Vitry, ''Exempla'', 208 ‘When Jacques de Vitry was at Paris…’
	*Stories of the drinking the sea dry are is related in: Plutarchos, ''Feast of the Seven Wise Men'', 150F-151E; ''The Life of Aesop'', 69-73; Steinhöwel, ''Äsop'', ‘Life of Aesop’, 15; Caxton, ''Fables of Aesop'', pp. 244-246; ''Esopo no Fabulas'', ‘The Life of Aesop’, pp. 25-26; ''Isoho Monogatari'', vol.1, 7 ‘Of the Covenant of Shanto to drink the Sea dry’; Schwarzbaum, ''Jewish and World Folklore'', 273 ‘The Wager’; stories ‘How much water is in the sea?’ and ‘Dam the river’: ''Pfaffe Amis'', 1; ''Till Eulenspiegel'', 28 ‘Wie Ulenspiegel zu Brag in Behemen…’; ''Grimm’s Fairy Tales'', KHM 152 ‘Das Hirtenbüblein’ and KHM 134 ‘Die sechs Diener’; ''Folklore ordos'', No. 24, ‘Esergei et Mesergei’.		* Stories of the drinking the sea dry are is related in: Plutarchos, ''Feast of the Seven Wise Men'', 150F-151E; ''The Life of Aesop'', 69-73; Steinhöwel, ''Äsop'', ‘Life of Aesop’, 15; Caxton, ''Fables of Aesop'', pp. 244-246; ''Esopo no Fabulas'', ‘The Life of Aesop’, pp. 25-26; ''Isoho Monogatari'', vol.1, 7 ‘Of the Covenant of Shanto to drink the Sea dry’; Schwarzbaum, ''Jewish and World Folklore'', 273 ‘The Wager’; stories ‘How much water is in the sea?’ and ‘Dam the river’: ''Pfaffe Amis'', 1; ''Till Eulenspiegel'', 28 ‘Wie Ulenspiegel zu Brag in Behemen…’; ''Grimm’s Fairy Tales'', KHM 152 ‘Das Hirtenbüblein’ and KHM 134 ‘Die sechs Diener’; ''Folklore ordos'', No. 24, ‘Esergei et Mesergei’.
	*Stories in which a man escapes from difficulty by eavesdropping (on the answer to a riddle): ‘The Devil and the Devil’s Granny’ in ''Grimm’s Fairy Tales'', KHM 125 ‘Der Teufel und seine Großmutter’; ''Golden Legend'', 129 ‘Praise of the Holy Cross’, pp. 411-414.		* Stories in which a man escapes from difficulty by eavesdropping (on the answer to a riddle): ‘The Devil and the Devil’s Granny’ in ''Grimm’s Fairy Tales'', KHM 125 ‘Der Teufel und seine Großmutter’; ''Golden Legend'', 129 ‘Praise of the Holy Cross’, pp. 411-414.
	*Motifs similar to fleas: ''Mahabharata'', 3.115.12 and 5.104.26; ''The Book of Dede Korkut'', 3 ‘Bamus Beiraki, the Son of Bai Byure’.		* Motifs similar to fleas: ''Mahabharata'', 3.115.12 and 5.104.26; ''The Book of Dede Korkut'', 3 ‘Bamus Beiraki, the Son of Bai Byure’.
	*Similar treatment of riddling is found in: ''Akbar and Birbal Vinod'' (From ''Humorous Tales from India'', pp. 167-168); ''Kathasaritsagara'', chapter 74, 163F: 'Akshakshapaṇaka and the Wooden Doll’ and ch. 124, 171G: 'Muladeva and the Brahmin’s Daughter’; ''Nihon Mukashibanashi Tsukan'', 28 ‘Type Index’ 807-814 ('difficult question and answer’ stories; 807 ‘Difficult question and answer -- which is the sounding hand’ is also in Rumi’s ''Mathanavi'', 3.1380-1385).		* Similar treatment of riddling is found in: ''Akbar and Birbal Vinod'' (From ''Humorous Tales from India'', pp. 167-168); ''Kathasaritsagara'', chapter 74, 163F: 'Akshakshapaṇaka and the Wooden Doll’ and ch. 124, 171G: 'Muladeva and the Brahmin’s Daughter’; ''Nihon Mukashibanashi Tsukan'', 28 ‘Type Index’ 807-814 ('difficult question and answer’ stories; 807 ‘Difficult question and answer -- which is the sounding hand’ is also in Rumi’s ''Mathanavi'', 3.1380-1385).


	'''Additional Bibliography:''' Chauvin VIII 26; Landau 23; ''A World Tour of Laughter'', ‘How Much Water is in the Ocean? -- Cough up the river’. ''Nihon Mukashibanashi Tsukan'', ‘Kenkyu-hen 2’, 807-814; Marzolph, 32.		'''Additional Bibliography:''' Chauvin VIII 26; Landau 23; ''A World Tour of Laughter'', ‘How Much Water is in the Ocean? -- Cough up the river’. ''Nihon Mukashibanashi Tsukan'', ‘Kenkyu-hen 2’, 807-814; Marzolph, 32.
	}}		}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:50, 25 June 2025
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	{{Inset Story		{{Inset Story
	\|Has Critical Literature=Epstein (1967); Nishimura (2001); Clouston (1884)		\|Has Critical Literature=Epstein (1967); Nishimura (2001); Clouston (1884); Bolens (2008)
	\|Has Motif=Deception; Impossible conditions; Riches; (Threat of) bodily mutilation; Wise old woman; Wise old man; Blindness; Overheard secret		\|Has Motif=Deception; Impossible conditions; Riches; (Threat of) bodily mutilation; Wise old woman; Wise old man; Blindness; Overheard secret
	\|Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man'''		\|Has Summary='''The Blind Old Man; or, The Merchant and the Rogues'''

	A ~~foolish youth~~ inherits a great fortune, and sails away to distant lands, where he is tricked by three rogues. The first rogue convinces him that the precious aloe wood (or sandalwood) he has purchased is actually worthless by burning a bit of it in the privy; he offers to replace the youth's stock of it with anything he desires. The second rogue beats the youth at dice, after wagering that the loser will drink all the waters in the sea. The third rogue, one-eyed, claimed that the youth (whose eyes looked like the rogue's) had stolen his eye, and must stand trial. The youth, tricked at every turn, despairs, but an old woman tells him where to find the wise blind man who counsels all the rogues in the city. The youth sneaks near to the blind man, and overhears the first rogue tell his story. The old man says his promise was foolish - what if the youth asks for his cart to be filled with fleas, half male and half female? The rogue protests that the young man won't be shrewd enough to say this. The second rogue tells his story, and the old man tells him that he, too, has done badly - what if the youth says, dam up all the rivers that flow into the sea and then I'll drink it. The seond rogue also protests that the youth will not be that clever. The third rogue tells his story, and the old man cautions him - what if the youth says, take out your eye, I'll take out mine, we'll weigh them to see if they are equal? The youth sneaks away, and does exactly as the wise blind man had said, offering each of the rogues an impossible challenge, which they are of course unable to meet, and so he keeps his wealth, health, and freedom.		A young man inherits a great fortune, and sails away to distant lands to trade, where he is tricked by three rogues. The first rogue convinces him that the precious aloe wood (or sandalwood) he has purchased is actually worthless by burning a bit of it in the privy; he offers to replace the youth's stock of it with anything he desires. The second rogue beats the youth at dice, after wagering that the loser will drink all the waters in the sea. The third rogue, one-eyed, claimed that the youth (whose eyes looked like the rogue's) had stolen his eye, and must stand trial. The youth, tricked at every turn, despairs, but an old woman tells him where to find the wise blind man who counsels all the rogues in the city. The youth sneaks near to the blind man, and overhears the first rogue tell his story. The old man says his promise was foolish - what if the youth asks for his cart to be filled with fleas, half male and half female? The rogue protests that the young man won't be shrewd enough to say this. The second rogue tells his story, and the old man tells him that he, too, has done badly - what if the youth says, dam up all the rivers that flow into the sea and then I'll drink it. The seond rogue also protests that the youth will not be that clever. The third rogue tells his story, and the old man cautions him - what if the youth says, take out your eye, I'll take out mine, we'll weigh them to see if they are equal? The youth sneaks away, and does exactly as the wise blind man had said, offering each of the rogues an impossible challenge, which they are of course unable to meet, and so he keeps his wealth, health, and freedom.
	\|Has Note=Nishimura offers an extensive list of analoguous stories with impossible conditions in response to trickery, as well as relevant motifs and reference narratives:		\|Has Note=Nishimura offers an extensive list of analoguous stories with impossible conditions in response to trickery, as well as relevant motifs and reference narratives:

	'''Motifs:''' TMI F655: Extraordinary perception of blind men; H919.4: Impossible task assigned by plaintiff as proof. H1129.10.1 Impossible task: assembling a huge quantity of many-colored fleas; H1142.3 Task: drinking the sea dry: countertask: stop all the rivers; N411.5 :Sandalwood merchant sells his product at high price in land lacking sandalwood; N455.2.1: Robber’s secret overheard and later used in court against them; ATU978 The Youth in the Land of the Cheaters.		'''Motifs:''' TMI F655: Extraordinary perception of blind men; H919.4: Impossible task assigned by plaintiff as proof. H1129.10.1 Impossible task: assembling a huge quantity of many-colored fleas; H1142.3 Task: drinking the sea dry: countertask: stop all the rivers; N411.5: Sandalwood merchant sells his product at high price in land lacking sandalwood; N455.2.1: Robber’s secret overheard and later used in court against them; ATU978 The Youth in the Land of the Cheaters.

	'''Reference stories, etc.:'''		'''Reference stories, etc.:'''

	* Jacques de Vitry, ''Exempla'', 208 ‘When Jacques de Vitry was at Paris…’		*Jacques de Vitry, ''Exempla'', 208 ‘When Jacques de Vitry was at Paris…’
	* Stories of the drinking the sea dry are is related in: Plutarchos, ''Feast of the Seven Wise Men'', 150F-151E; ''The Life of Aesop'', 69-73; Steinhöwel, ''Äsop'', ‘Life of Aesop’, 15; Caxton, ''Fables of Aesop'', pp. 244-246; ''Esopo no Fabulas'', ‘The Life of Aesop’, pp. 25-26; ''Isoho Monogatari'', vol.1, 7 ‘Of the Covenant of Shanto to drink the Sea dry’; Schwarzbaum, ''Jewish and World Folklore'', 273 ‘The Wager’; stories ‘How much water is in the sea?’ and ‘Dam the river’: ''Pfaffe Amis'', 1; ''Till Eulenspiegel'', 28 ‘Wie Ulenspiegel zu Brag in Behemen…’; ''Grimm’s Fairy Tales'', KHM 152 ‘Das Hirtenbüblein’ and KHM 134 ‘Die sechs Diener’; ''Folklore ordos'', No. 24, ‘Esergei et Mesergei’.		*Stories of the drinking the sea dry are is related in: Plutarchos, ''Feast of the Seven Wise Men'', 150F-151E; ''The Life of Aesop'', 69-73; Steinhöwel, ''Äsop'', ‘Life of Aesop’, 15; Caxton, ''Fables of Aesop'', pp. 244-246; ''Esopo no Fabulas'', ‘The Life of Aesop’, pp. 25-26; ''Isoho Monogatari'', vol.1, 7 ‘Of the Covenant of Shanto to drink the Sea dry’; Schwarzbaum, ''Jewish and World Folklore'', 273 ‘The Wager’; stories ‘How much water is in the sea?’ and ‘Dam the river’: ''Pfaffe Amis'', 1; ''Till Eulenspiegel'', 28 ‘Wie Ulenspiegel zu Brag in Behemen…’; ''Grimm’s Fairy Tales'', KHM 152 ‘Das Hirtenbüblein’ and KHM 134 ‘Die sechs Diener’; ''Folklore ordos'', No. 24, ‘Esergei et Mesergei’.
	* Stories in which a man escapes from difficulty by eavesdropping (on the answer to a riddle): ‘The Devil and the Devil’s Granny’ in ''Grimm’s Fairy Tales'', KHM 125 ‘Der Teufel und seine Großmutter’; ''Golden Legend'', 129 ‘Praise of the Holy Cross’, pp. 411-414.		*Stories in which a man escapes from difficulty by eavesdropping (on the answer to a riddle): ‘The Devil and the Devil’s Granny’ in ''Grimm’s Fairy Tales'', KHM 125 ‘Der Teufel und seine Großmutter’; ''Golden Legend'', 129 ‘Praise of the Holy Cross’, pp. 411-414.
	* Motifs similar to fleas: ''Mahabharata'', 3.115.12 and 5.104.26; ''The Book of Dede Korkut'', 3 ‘Bamus Beiraki, the Son of Bai Byure’.		*Motifs similar to fleas: ''Mahabharata'', 3.115.12 and 5.104.26; ''The Book of Dede Korkut'', 3 ‘Bamus Beiraki, the Son of Bai Byure’.
	* Similar treatment of riddling is found in: ''Akbar and Birbal Vinod'' (From ''Humorous Tales from India'', pp. 167-168); ''Kathasaritsagara'', chapter 74, 163F: 'Akshakshapaṇaka and the Wooden Doll’ and ch. 124, 171G: 'Muladeva and the Brahmin’s Daughter’; ''Nihon Mukashibanashi Tsukan'', 28 ‘Type Index’ 807-814 ('difficult question and answer’ stories; 807 ‘Difficult question and answer -- which is the sounding hand’ is also in Rumi’s ''Mathanavi'', 3.1380-1385).		*Similar treatment of riddling is found in: ''Akbar and Birbal Vinod'' (From ''Humorous Tales from India'', pp. 167-168); ''Kathasaritsagara'', chapter 74, 163F: 'Akshakshapaṇaka and the Wooden Doll’ and ch. 124, 171G: 'Muladeva and the Brahmin’s Daughter’; ''Nihon Mukashibanashi Tsukan'', 28 ‘Type Index’ 807-814 ('difficult question and answer’ stories; 807 ‘Difficult question and answer -- which is the sounding hand’ is also in Rumi’s ''Mathanavi'', 3.1380-1385).


	'''Additional Bibliography:''' Chauvin VIII 26; Landau 23; ''A World Tour of Laughter'', ‘How Much Water is in the Ocean? -- Cough up the river’. ''Nihon Mukashibanashi Tsukan'', ‘Kenkyu-hen 2’, 807-814; Marzolph, 32.		'''Additional Bibliography:''' Chauvin VIII 26; Landau 23; ''A World Tour of Laughter'', ‘How Much Water is in the Ocean? -- Cough up the river’. ''Nihon Mukashibanashi Tsukan'', ‘Kenkyu-hen 2’, 807-814; Marzolph, 32.
	}}		}}