A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.
Overview
An ape meets Soo Tome during the search for his winged wife, sympathizes with him and shares food throughout their journey. At the sea, unable to carry the man farther, the ape dies of grief. Soo Tome mourns for three days before permitting a starving fly to eat from the body. The ape is not resurrected, does not become the fly and has no magical sea-crossing power; the later eagle flight belongs to different helpers.
Origins & earliest records
Historical Laos country within Siam, as identified by the collection
Records & interpretation
Complete relevant narrative and Willis G. Craig’s introduction directly read.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Laos Folk-Lore of Farther India
IV.2, The Faithful Husband, pp. 51–57 and notes9–12
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
Katherine Neville Fleeson, Laos Folk-Lore of Farther India (Fleming H. Revell, 1899)
IV.2, The Faithful Husband. IV.2, The Faithful Husband, pp. 51–57 and notes9–12
Whole story and all notes read. Distinct helpers kept separate; mental summons and correct identification stated for fly, no resurrection or metamorphosis for ape.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Historical folktale collectionFleeson1899, IV.2, The Faithful Husband, pp. 51–57 and notes9–12Research access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.