Hello one and all!
The Swedish yarn reminds one of the power of stories and reputations - even the mightiest can quake in the face of a perceived insurmountable object, even if it isn't true.
The Cat of Norrhult
Once, long ago, the Swedish estate of Norrhult was plagued by trolls. The inhabitants were continually harassed until they couldn't take it anymore, and so everyone moved to neighbouring settlement. All except an old man, who was too unwell to go outside.
After some time had passed, a man and his bear arrived in Norrhult and found the place deserted. They roamed around the area until they saw a light flickering at one of the windows, and knocked on the house's front door. When the old man opened up, the stranger inquired whether it would be possible for him and his companion to receive lodging and food. The aged gentleman was all too happy to have some company again and he opened up his house to the two odd companions.
A couple of hours later a group of trolls burst into the hut and started to make a terrible racket; some threw logs into the fire that scattered sparks everywhere, whilst others forced bugs into the kettle above the fireplace. All of the trolls retired to the dining table, satisfied with their handiwork, and waited while their insect dinner cooked on the fire.
Soon two of the trolls became bored and wandered over to the bear keeper.
"Do you want a fishy, little Kitty?" a troll said to the bear and threw a worm towards it.
Another one of the creatures asked the stranger if they could have some of their food. He refused but they continued to pester him until he became incensed.
"I said NO," the bear keeper said, then turned towards his companion, "please take care of these ruffians."
The bear lifted his gigantic head and launched himself forward, which scattered the trolls. The pursuit continued until the brutes were scattered to all of the directions of the wind.
The original residents started to return to the estate after the event and resettled there. A new memorial was also constructed in Norrhult, which commemorated the day that they were freed from the tyranny of the trolls.
Seven years passed and peace reigned in the region. A young man from Norrhult was on his way to Norrköping when a mounted stranger stepped into his path with his horse. This cloaked figure invited him to ride with him, so that he could rest his feet. The lad agreed and jumped up, but the horse floated into the air..
The rider said, "Hold on and listen to me! Seven years ago I visited Norrhult and found a particularly vicious cat had taken up residence - is it still there?"
The young man said, " Yes, the cat still lives with us and it has given birth to seven others - each one worse than the next."
The veiled stranger shook his head and let his passenger climb off at Norrköping. Since then no trolls were ever seen in the vicinity of Norrhult ever again.
Thank you for reading!
The Swedish yarn reminds one of the power of stories and reputations - even the mightiest can quake in the face of a perceived insurmountable object, even if it isn't true.
The Cat of Norrhult
Once, long ago, the Swedish estate of Norrhult was plagued by trolls. The inhabitants were continually harassed until they couldn't take it anymore, and so everyone moved to neighbouring settlement. All except an old man, who was too unwell to go outside.
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| Illustration by Theodor Kittelsen. |
After some time had passed, a man and his bear arrived in Norrhult and found the place deserted. They roamed around the area until they saw a light flickering at one of the windows, and knocked on the house's front door. When the old man opened up, the stranger inquired whether it would be possible for him and his companion to receive lodging and food. The aged gentleman was all too happy to have some company again and he opened up his house to the two odd companions.
A couple of hours later a group of trolls burst into the hut and started to make a terrible racket; some threw logs into the fire that scattered sparks everywhere, whilst others forced bugs into the kettle above the fireplace. All of the trolls retired to the dining table, satisfied with their handiwork, and waited while their insect dinner cooked on the fire.
Soon two of the trolls became bored and wandered over to the bear keeper.
"Do you want a fishy, little Kitty?" a troll said to the bear and threw a worm towards it.
Another one of the creatures asked the stranger if they could have some of their food. He refused but they continued to pester him until he became incensed.
"I said NO," the bear keeper said, then turned towards his companion, "please take care of these ruffians."
The bear lifted his gigantic head and launched himself forward, which scattered the trolls. The pursuit continued until the brutes were scattered to all of the directions of the wind.
The original residents started to return to the estate after the event and resettled there. A new memorial was also constructed in Norrhult, which commemorated the day that they were freed from the tyranny of the trolls.
Seven years passed and peace reigned in the region. A young man from Norrhult was on his way to Norrköping when a mounted stranger stepped into his path with his horse. This cloaked figure invited him to ride with him, so that he could rest his feet. The lad agreed and jumped up, but the horse floated into the air..
The rider said, "Hold on and listen to me! Seven years ago I visited Norrhult and found a particularly vicious cat had taken up residence - is it still there?"
The young man said, " Yes, the cat still lives with us and it has given birth to seven others - each one worse than the next."
The veiled stranger shook his head and let his passenger climb off at Norrköping. Since then no trolls were ever seen in the vicinity of Norrhult ever again.
Thank you for reading!
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