ABSTRACT
International Parallels: In the standard pattern of AT563, a man receives two successive magical gifts, a food-providing table (tablecloth, napkin), and a gold-dropping ass (or other animal), each of which is stolen, often being replaced by an object or animal similar in appearance. The third gift, the stick that beats on command (or a container with a manikin who beats on command), punishes the thief, forcing him to return the original gifts to their owner. All three of the objects or animals and the gifts or punishments they provide may vary from one tradition to another, but whatever variations occur in these details their functions are the same.
