The Check in the Coffin story type (ATU 1855B)

The Check in the Coffin story type (ATU 1855B) centers on a unique act of financial cunning: a dying parent's request for money to be buried with them, met by one child's ingenious substitution of a written promise for actual cash, thereby reclaiming the physical contributions of others. This tale, categorized under "Anecdotes And Jokes," particularly within the division of "Anecdotes About Other Groups Of People," highlights wit and unexpected turns in family dynamics.

The pattern

This story type unfolds with a parent, often on their deathbed, asking their children how much money they intend to place in the coffin to be interred alongside them. Each child makes a promise. After the parent's passing, two of the children fulfill their pledges by placing the actual money into the coffin. However, the third child, often the cleverest, devises a shrewd plan: they write a check for the entire sum promised by all the siblings. This check is then placed into the coffin, and the cash previously deposited by the other brothers is removed by the trickster. The core of the tale lies in this ingenious financial substitution and the surprising outcome for the inheritance.

How cultures tell it

This particular pattern of wit and inheritance has been attested in at least nine different cultural traditions, showcasing its universal appeal as an anecdote. While the specific characters and their professions might shift—the dying parent is sometimes described as a farmer, or even specifically as a Jew in older scholarly descriptions—the central mechanism of the check and the coffin money remains consistent. These variations reflect local customs and social observations, often playing on stereotypes or common perceptions of different groups, as indicated by its placement in the "Anecdotes About Other Groups Of People" division. The tale's enduring presence across diverse cultures speaks to a shared fascination with cleverness, particularly when it involves outwitting others in a family context, much like the cunning found in tales such as The Flight of the Ogre with his Goods in the Bag story type (ATU 1132).

Motifs that define it

The defining element of The Check in the Coffin story type is captured by the motif K231.13. This motif describes a specific scenario: an agreement among individuals to leave a sum of money on the coffin of a friend or family member. The trick then occurs when one party places their agreed-upon share in actual cash, while another, more cunning individual, writes a check for the entire amount that was to be contributed. This check is then deposited, and the cash left by the others is cleverly taken out by the one who wrote the check. It's a precise act of deception, not through outright theft, but through a loophole in the agreement, turning a solemn promise into a financial coup. This kind of clever, often humorous, deception is a hallmark of many folktales, from the subtle wit in The Gilding the Beard story type (ATU 1138) to the bolder tricks against adversaries in The Blinded Ogre story type (ATU 1137).

Reading it with kids

When sharing a version of The Check in the Coffin with young readers, it's important to consider the underlying themes of cleverness, family dynamics, and the concept of promises. While the tale itself is an anecdote and generally lacks the darker, more violent elements found in some traditional folktales, the context of death and inheritance, along with the trickery involved, can spark conversations. Older versions, as noted in scholarly records, sometimes identify the dying parent with specific cultural or professional labels (like "Jew" or "farmer"). When choosing a telling, look for versions that focus on the general cleverness and the dynamics between siblings, rather than relying on potentially sensitive historical or cultural stereotypes. This allows the story to be a fun exploration of wit, prompting discussions about fairness, promises, and creative problem-solving in a way that is age-appropriate and inclusive.