About Ash Lad, Who Stole the Troll's Silver Ducks, Coverlet, and Golden Harp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boots and the Troll |
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|---|---|
| Folk tale | |
| Name | Boots and the Troll |
| Data | |
| Aarne-Thompson grouping | 328 |
| Country | Norway |
| Published in | Norwegian Folktales |
"About Ash Lad, Who Stole the Troll's Silver Ducks, Coverlet, and Golden Harp" is a famous Norwegian folktale. It was collected by two well-known storytellers, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe. You can find it in their book Norwegian Folktales, which was first published in Norway. The story was later translated into English as "Boots and the Troll" in 1859 by George Webbe Dasent. It tells the exciting adventures of a clever young hero named Ash Lad, also known as Boots.
Contents
The Story of Boots and the Troll
This folktale is about a young man named Ash Lad, who is often underestimated. He uses his wit and bravery to overcome challenges, especially against a powerful troll.
Three Brothers Seek Fortune
The story begins with an old man who passes away, leaving his three sons to find their own way in the world. The two older brothers think they are very smart and capable. They look down on their youngest brother, Ash Lad. They believe he is only good for sitting by the fire and poking the ashes.
Ash Lad, however, is practical. He takes the only thing their parents left behind that his brothers didn't want: a simple kneading-trough. The older brothers find jobs at the royal castle. One becomes a coachman, and the other a gardener. Ash Lad, with his humble beginnings, gets a job in the kitchen.
The Silver Ducks Challenge
Ash Lad proves to be much better at his job than his brothers. This makes them very jealous. To cause trouble, they tell the coachman that Ash Lad boasted he could get the king seven special silver ducks. These ducks belong to a fearsome troll, and the king has wanted them for a long time.
The coachman tells the king about Ash Lad's supposed boast. When the king demands that Ash Lad get the ducks, Ash Lad agrees. He asks for some wheat and rye grain. He then uses his kneading-trough as a boat to row across the lake to the troll's home. There, he cleverly uses the grain to lure the silver ducks into his trough, bringing them back to the king.
Stealing the Bed-Quilt
After the success with the ducks, Ash Lad's brothers try to get him into more trouble. They tell the coachman that Ash Lad claimed he could steal the troll's bed-quilt. The coachman again reports this to the king.
Ash Lad asks for three days to complete this new task. He waits patiently. When he sees the troll's huge bed-quilt hanging outside to air, he seizes the chance and quickly steals it. The king is very impressed with Ash Lad's bravery and cleverness. He makes Ash Lad his personal servant.
The Golden Harp and a Clever Escape
Still not satisfied, the brothers tell the coachman that Ash Lad said he could steal the troll's golden harp. This harp is magical; it makes everyone who hears it feel joyful. The coachman tells the king, who once again challenges Ash Lad.
Ash Lad asks for six days to plan this most dangerous task. He takes a nail, a birch-pin, and a small piece of candle (a taper-end) with him. He rows to the troll's place in his kneading-trough and lets the troll see him. The troll immediately grabs Ash Lad and puts him in a pen to fatten him up for a meal.
Outsmarting the Troll's Daughter
Each day, the troll or his daughter checks if Ash Lad is fat enough by feeling his finger. Ash Lad cleverly tricks them. First, he sticks out the nail instead of his finger. Then, he uses the birch-pin. Finally, he uses the taper-end. Each time, they think he is not fat enough. Eventually, they decide he is ready.
The troll leaves to invite guests for the feast. His daughter prepares to cook Ash Lad. Ash Lad tells her the knife isn't sharp enough. He sharpens it and suggests she test it on her own hair. When she does, he quickly outsmarts her and escapes. He then prepares a meal that tricks the troll.
The Troll's Downfall
Ash Lad hides, dressed in the troll's daughter's clothes. When the troll returns, he eats the meal, thinking it is Ash Lad. The troll asks "him" (Ash Lad in disguise) if "he" wants any. Ash Lad replies that he is too sad to eat. The troll then tells him where the golden harp is.
Ash Lad quickly grabs the harp and escapes in his kneading-trough. The troll shouts after him. Ash Lad then reveals the truth about what the troll has eaten. This shocking news makes the troll burst, ending his reign of terror.
A Royal Reward
With the troll defeated, Ash Lad takes all the troll's gold and silver. He returns to the king with the golden harp and the troll's treasures. Because of his incredible bravery and cleverness, Ash Lad wins the hand of the princess in marriage. He also receives half of the kingdom. As for his jealous brothers, they meet a bad end when they go up a mountain and are crushed by boulders. Ash Lad, the underestimated youngest son, becomes a true hero.
See Also
