The word "Issi" being ambiguous, meaning also "himself", the onrushers, in stead of sympathising with the outwitted Devil, jeeringly bid him lie on the bed he has "himself" made.
The story bears a remarkable resemblance to the legend of Odysseus and Polyphemus. Odysseus and his friends had, when locked in Polyphemus' cave, heated the end of a stake and had buried it deeply into the giant's solitary eye. The monstrous bellowing of the giant caused the neighbouring Cyclopes to flock from their surrounding caves and they inquired what had transpired. Polyphemus replied: "O friends I die, and Noman give me the blow." Thinking that no man was responsible they told him to bear the pain and they left. The clever Odysseus had, when asked his name by Polyphemus, introduced himself as Noman.