Re: [tied] Re: The Scythian Brothers

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.