H34 — In the past, there was no need to work.

Work did not require effort. Some people do not believe that this is possible, or do not consider it to be right, or do not fulfil the necessary conditions, which is why people have to work. See motifs H34A – H34H; H34 contains only texts that are not classified in more detail.

Berezkin category: Paradise Lost

H34.  Work did not require effort. Some people do not believe that this is possible, or do not consider it to be right, or do not fulfil the necessary conditions, which is why people have to work. See motifs H34A – H34H; H34 contains only texts that are not classified in more detail.
H34a.  The character believes that people should live easily (without labour and suffering) and makes appropriate suggestions. The interlocutor rejects them. This dialogue forever determines the conditions of people's lives. Those traditions in which the dialogue is conducted by two anthropomorphic brothers or companions are highlighted in bold in the list.
H34b.  Somewhere there is or was a river that flowed or, according to the plan, was supposed to flow in two directions at once.
H34c.  Rice flew (came) from the field to the house.
H34d.  A zoomorphic character climbs or attempts to climb up to the sky or the moon to bite off a piece of them.
H34d1.  The sky or celestial objects were edible, but then this source of food became inaccessible or is now only used by inhabitants of a country beyond the human world.
H34e.  The snow was edible.
H34f.  Baskets or clay vessels carried heavy loads themselves.
H34g.  One grain was enough to prepare a meal.
H34h.  Firewood and brushwood came by themselves, flying into the house; there was no need to specially harvest and deliver them.

This motif has been recorded in 95 traditions: Arabs of Egypt, Kerewe, Sukuma, Kwaya, Kumbi, Busiba, Gusii, Suba, Sepik-Ramu stock: Abelam, Yatmul, Aibom, Ayom (incl Tembregak, Asai-river pygmies), Tangu, Porapora (Ambakich), Rao and other groups of Middle Ramu and Upper Keram River tribes; Kwanga, Watam, Kaian, Gamei, Awar; Kire (Lower Ramu), Torricelli family: Valman, Samap, Arapesh (Upper, Coastal), Monumbo, Lilau, Ngaimbom; Moando (Banara); Menya, Olo, Kanaka (New Caledonia), Ontong Java, Nukumanu, Takuu, Nukuria, Toraja (Toradja), To Mori, Baree (=Eastern Toraja), Batak (Toba, Dairi), Simeulue, Nias, Mentawai, Northern Luzon: Apayao, Bontoc, Nabaloi (Ibaloi), Ifugao, Igorot (highland people, not specified), Ilocan, Ilongot, Isneg, Kalinga, Kankanay, Tingian (Tinggian, Bilongan Itneg); Ibanag, Kasiguran Agta, Keley-i Kallahan, Central islands and Bikol: Vizaya, Mansaká, Bikol, Mangyan, Panayan, Sulod, Cebuano (Cebu), Capiz, Romblomanon, Manuyu, Northern Taiwan: Atayal (Tayal; Taruko (Toda, Taokas, Torok, Taroko), Pazeh, Sedeq (Sediq, Seedeq, Sazek), Saisiyat (Saixia), Santali, Turi, Mahli, Chin-Naga: Ao, Mao, Sema, Zeme, Kolren, Kom, Lhota, Rengma, Angami, Kabui, Tangkhul, Koirenf, Kannada, Lingayat, Halakki, Tofa (Karagas), Nenets, Kets, Chipewyan, Inland Tlingit, Caribou, Tlingit, Western Ojibwa (Chippewa), Eastern Ojibwa (Missisauga, Timagami and other groups in eastern Ontario), Northern Ojibwa (=Severn Ojibwa, Sandy Lake Cree), Eastern Cree, Naskapi, Menominee, Five Nations Iroquois (Seneca, Mohawk, Onondaga, Oneida, Cayuga), Plains Cree, Plains Ojibwa, Tillamook, Lower Chinook (Chinook proper), Natchez (incl Avoyel), Cherokee, Upland Yuma: Walapai, Havasupai, Yavapai, Hopi, Western Keres (Acoma, Laguna), Eastern Keres (Cochiti, Sia, San Felipe, Santo Domingo, Santa Ana, Paguate, Seama), Aztec; Aztec and Teotihuacan iconography, Tojolabal, Chuj, Jacalteca, Kanjobal, Mocho (incl Tuzantec), Acatec, Tepehua, Totonac, Huastec (Teenek), Tzotzil, Yucatec, Itza, Cuna; XVI century data on Eastern Panama, Choco: Embera, Nonama (Waunana), XVI century Dabaiba, pre-Columbian iconography of Sinu, Kogi (Cagaba), Sanha, Creols of Aritama Valley, Guajiro, Cuiva, Guayabero, Yaruro, Warao, Trio, Pemon: Arekuna (incl. Kamarakoto), Taulipang (Taurepan), Locono, Guiana Kariña, Kaliña, Galibi, Siona, Secoya, Coreguaje, Mai Huna (Coto, Orejon), Napo (Quijo), Kanelo (“Jungle Kechua”), Kofan, Shuar, Achuar (Shiwiar), Aguaruna, Huambiza, Chayahuita , Barasana, Taibano, Macuna, Desana, Siriano; Tatuyo, Bara, Tuyuca, Kabiyari, Yukuna (Yucuna), Baniwa (incl. Wakuenai), Bare, Piapoco, Curripaco, Siusi, Guarikena , Yagua, Maue (Mawe), Urubu (Urubu-Kaapor), Tenetehara, Ashaninca (Campa), Machiguenga, Amahuaca, Cashinahua, Sharanahua, Yaminahua, Yawanahua, Capanahua), Tacana, Bolivian Guarani: Chiriguano (including assimilated Chane Arawaks), Pauserna (=Guarasu), Guarayu, Tapiete, Yabuti, Amniapä, Kumana, Wari (Aikana), More (Itene), Mundurucu, Curuaia, Kamayura, Rikbaktsa, Kayabi, Iranxe, Bororo, Canela: Ramkokamekra, Apaniekra, Suya, Txukarramae, Botocudo, Mataco, Nivakle (=Chulupi, Ashluslay, Ajlujlay), Chorote, Toba (incl Pilagá), Ofaie, Guarani of Paraguay and Brazil: Caygua, Mbia, Apapocuva, Nyandewa, Chiripa, Selknam