The companion finally reveals himself to be the corpse that the hero helped.
Funk & Wagnalls Dictionary describes it as a motif of folk tales in which a hero comes upon an ill-treated corpse. After he gives his last penny to help fund a proper burial, the hero meets a traveling companion who aids him in some impossible task. The companion finally reveals himself to be the corpse that the hero helped. Outside folk tales, this monicker applies to: Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, and formerly Jerry Garcia. FTP, give the name that the legend and people have in common.
Funk & Wagnalls Dictionary describes it as a motif of folk tales in which a hero comes upon an ill-treated corpse.
{Grateful Dead}