Motif
failed questers transformed into stones
failed_questers_transformed_into_stones
A motif of the Shapeshifter and Transformation family, within the sub-family Stone Transformation and Petrification. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.
1 occurrences
1 traditions
islamicate folklore
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The Arabian Nights Entertainments The Arabian Nights Entertainments; lines 10730-10836 confidence: high
At the mountain Bahman will see heaps of big black stones and hear insulting voices; he must not turn his head or he will become a black stone. The stones are failed men; at the top is the Talking Bird in a cage, who can direct him to the Singing Tree and Golden Water.
The dervish says the black stones are men who failed the same quest, and Bahman becomes a black stone after turning back.
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