The Mantis and the WIll-O'-the-Wisp: Analysis

Synopsis: The Mantis beats the Will-o-the-wisp in a fight as he finds out the real location of the latter’s eyes.

Hero: Mantis, /Kaggen

Stages:

-Mantis encounters the Willo-the-wisp.

-Notices the absence of eyes.

-Severe interrogation and tricks to find out the Willo’s eyes.

-The Fight.

-Mantis loses. His skull breaks.

-Meeting with Kwammanga.

-Reveal’s secret about the Willo’s eyes and tricks to defeat him in a fight.

-The Mantis returns.

-The Fight II.

-Mantis wins.

-Willo questions Mantis’ strength and cunningness, credits Kwammanga for the Win and not the Mantis.

Analysis: 

It’s just a simple short story. I don’t think it fits into any stage of the Monomyth exactly. It is a typical trickster story where the Willo tricks the Mantis and he tricks him back. Almost like a tit for tat story from the Fables. The WIllo in itself is a mythical character in many cultures and even today has a mystery around it.

The Mantis’ encounter with it is similar to the Road of Trials, as he has to overcome the Willo with his strength and cleverness. Kwammang’a inherently becomes a (supernatural) aid in this story by providing vital information about the Willo-the-wisp, which ultimately leads the Mantis to defeat him.The Mantis second fight is very similar to the Resurrection/Apostasis stage  of the Hero’s journey. Similarly in this story the Mantis loses the fight, is severely injured (WIllo breaks his head) but he returns to face the Willo again with renewed strength and knowledge.