Re: [tied] Re: The Scythian Brothers

From: Piotr Gasiorowski
Message: 11999
Date: 2002-01-05

Just about every nation in the world has a version of this tale (Simple Ivan, etc.). "The Three Feathers", as recorded by the Grimm Brothers, begins:
 
There was once upon a time a King who had three sons, of whom two were clever and wise, but the third did not speak much and was simple, and was called the Simpleton ...
 
-- and guess who got the fairest maiden and the crown.
 
Piotr
 

 
----- Original Message -----
From: tgpedersen
To: cybalist@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2002 11:37 AM
Subject: [tied] Re: The Scythian Brothers


I will have you know that I am the oldest of three brothers. Hrmph! :)
Now that's at least one thing I'm an expert of, and I can assure you
all that Herodotus' description of their roles is accurate. The first
is the heir by definition, the next the hard worker, and then along
comes prince Charming and steals the show.

The whole structure of the tale reminds one of Andersen's "Klods-
Hans" (I don't know its name in English) or Cinderella. The two first
siblings may have the rules on their side, but they don't have true
xwarena, exactly because they are bound by the rules. And (note: I'm
only doing comparative IE mythology here!) the structure may be
described as: High, Just-as-high, Third (tri-ta-?). I believe the
Armenians have a three-brothers story too.