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Overview

After a minister’s son returns from war, a Schimnu appears as his exact double, matching his body, gait, clothing, horse, weapons and speech. Even his parents, wife and children cannot distinguish them. Ardschi-Bordschi tests their ancestry, but the demon’s supernatural knowledge exceeds the real son’s memory, so the king mistakenly accepts the impostor.

A boy temporarily endowed with royal wisdom on a mysterious mound proposes a different test: entry into a small water jug. The human recognizes the impossibility, while the demon transforms itself to fit inside. The boy seals it with an impassable diamond seal and sends it back with a rebuke to the king. The real son is restored to his family, and the Schimnu is condemned to burning. The jug does not itself originate the demon or establish a separate species of vessel spirit.

Exact human impersonationSupernatural ancestral knowledgeShrinking and sealed confinement
01

Origins & earliest records

Mongolian transmission of an Indian-derived tale, mediated by European editions and Busk’s adaptation

02

Records & interpretation

Busk’s 1873 Sagas from the Far East, The Pretended Son, pp. 257–262, records the Schimnu’s impersonation and the Boy-king’s judgment. The associated notes are on p. 397; the preceding Boy-king and False Friend episodes supply the wider narrative setting.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    Sagas from the Far East

    Rachel Harriette Busk, compiler and adapter · 1873

    The Pretended Son257–262; notes397; Boy-King252–253 and FalseFriend253–257 also read

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Primary records and illustrations

Direct primary record

Rachel Harriette Busk, Sagas from the Far East (1873)

The Pretended Son. 257–262; two notes397

Complete narrative and two attached notes read, also preceding Boy-King/FalseFriend for frame context. Demonic double distinguished from real human; parentage copied as disguise, not literal. Original paraphrase of1873 adaptation.

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References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

  1. Historical literary adaptationBusk, The Pretended Son257–262 and two notesResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

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