This is commonly referred to as the 101st story of the "Decameron". The story originates in the "Ramayana", a Sanskrit epic from the 4th century BCE. The tale was quite common during the medieval era, appearing in "Barlaam and Josaphat" (written in the 8th century), an exemplum of Jacques de Vitry (13th century) and "Cento Novelle Antiche" (also 13th century), "The Seven Wise Masters", and Italian collection of fables called "Fiori di Virtù" (14th century), Odo of Shirton's "De heremita iuvene" (12th century), and a French fabliau (13th century). The last two are the most probable sources for Boccaccio because in them the father refers to the women as "geese", whereas in the earlier versions he calls them "demons" who tempt the souls of men.