Traditional Balearic Folktales Associated with the Old Testament: Types and Structures

A relatively large number of tales associated with the Old Testament can be found in
compilations from the Balearic Islands. In particular, there are tales about the Creation or
the creatures that inhabited the Earth. Stories of a zoological or botanical nature are the most
prolific. There are occasional ideological links with the scriptures, and some episodes highlight
certain characteristics and incorporate a moral message that goes beyond the explanatory
function. Among the structural devices are: Positive creator / negative creator (result A positive
/ result B negative); Positive creator / mistake by assistant (result A positive / result B flawed);
Infringement / punishment (moral purpose, behavioural guidelines are given); Trial / error or
success (instrumental purpose, guidelines for action are given).
Most have an etiological component. Some highlight their explanatory function, with
a moral message in the form of behavioural guidelines, while others have an instrumental
purpose, offering practical guidelines. Some of these tales can be assigned an ATU number
under miscellaneous type 773, which also ought to include the supposition that it was not
only the devil who committed an error that led to the Creation, but also God’s assistants.
Thus the index would fit in better with many tales.