l
and calm and bright as a reward for being good.

The structure of the tale is neat and orderly, dominated by
a single theme. The form of the tale, as given in Jacobs's
_Indian Tales_, shows a good use of telling expressions;
such as, "the Mother waited _alone_ for her children's
return," "Kept watch with her _little bright eye_," "the
Moon, _shaking_ her hands _showered_ down such a _choice_
dinner," etc. Here we have too, the use of concrete,
visualized expressions and direct language. There is also a
good use of repetition, which aids the child in following
the plot and which clarifies the meaning. The Mother Star,
when pronouncing a punishment upon Sun, repeated his own
words as he had spoken when returning from the dinner: "I
went out to enjoy myself with my friends." In her speech to
Wind she included his own remark: "I merely went for my own
pleasure."--The examination of this tale shows that it
stands well the complete test applied here to the fairy
tale.

_The Straw Ox_

_The Straw Ox_ is an accumulative tale which has sufficient
plot to illustrate the fine points of the old tale
completely. A poor woman who could barely earn a living had
an idea and carried it out successfully.--Her need
immediately wins sympathy in her behalf.--She asked her
husband to make her a straw ox and smear it with tar. Then
placing it in the field where she spun, she called out,
"Graze away, little Ox, graze away, while I spin my flax!"
First a Bear came out of the Wood and got caught by the tar
so that the Straw Ox dragged him home. The old Man then put
the Bear in the cellar. Then a Wolf, a Fox, and a Hare got
caught in the same way and also were consigned to the
cellar.--The plot has so far built itself up by an orderly
succession of incidents.--But just when the Man is preparing
to kill the animals, they save their lives by promising
vicarious offerings: The Bear promises honey; the Wolf a
flock of sheep; the Fox a flock of geese; and the Hare kale
and cauliflower.--Then the plot, having tied itself into a
knot, unties itself as the animals return, each with the
gift he promised.

The setting is the field where the old Woman placed the Ox
and where she spun, the wood from which the animals came,
and the peasant home. T