(2) The connection between the first and the last part of this story, which seems to belong to the fatal name series, is lost. For the old woman as informant, compare references to number [69]. For the audience, the point of the story evidently lay in the comic way in which Brown held up the imaginary monster’s skin between thumb and fore-finger and said, “No (is it not?) Assonah ’kin?” Assonah is generally supposed to be an elephant.
76. The Greedy Child. [[Story]]
The idea of a water spirit who allows no one to cross a river without an offering of food, seems to be common in West Africa; e.g. Dayrell, 107–114. Jekyll, 100–101, Dry River, has a Jamaica version of this story. Compare also Tremearne, 209–210, 307–314.
77. Alimoty and Aliminty. [[Story]]
For the exchange of colors see Bolte u. Polívka 1: 124–126. For place-changing and killing of the wrong victim see the same, 499–501. Compare Parsons, Sea Islands, 128.
The incident is common in African story, e.g. Tremearne, 430; Dennett, 47; Torrend, 33; Junod, 163. The setting of the story is often similar to number [23] where a parent calls upon outside aid to get rid of a troublesome child.