Abstract: Crime takes on many forms in children's literature, including the motif of crimes not committed—manifested through slander. The slanderer is the true criminal who falsely accuses an innocent person, causing the latter to suffer both moral and physical torment. This article examines well-known and beloved works from Armenian children's literature wherein the theme forms the ideological core of the works. The motif of slander emerges in Armenian children's literature as a significant moral and educational element. The article pays particular attention to a folktale literary adaptation about a falsely accused innocent girl (Arne-Thompson-Uther / ATU 706–707 combined plot), which has numerous parallels in the folklore of various cultures. This tale, along with the other works discussed, conveys important ideas to not become a malicious slanderer, to be able to defend one's own rights, and to avoid becoming a victim of slander.
Vardanyan et al. (Thu,) studied this question.