The Changelings
by Herman Hofberg · from Swedish fairy tales
Adapted Version
Mama Lena had a new baby. The baby was small and sweet. Mama Lena loved her baby very much. She held her baby close.
Trolls like to swap babies. They like human babies. So, wise grown-ups have rules. Always keep the fire warm in your home. Always keep the baby safe. This keeps the Trolls away from your house. This keeps your baby home with you.
Mama Lena had a sweet new baby. One night, the fire went out. It got very cold in the house. A Troll came in. The Troll took Mama Lena's baby. She left another baby in its place.
The new baby was not sweet. It was The Grumpy Baby. It cried all the time, day and night. It never stopped crying. It was always hungry. It ate so much food. Mama Lena felt very sad.
Mama Lena and Papa were very sad. Papa went to find help. He found Grandma Wise. She was a very old woman. She was very kind. She knew many things about Trolls.
Grandma Wise told Mama Lena a plan. "Take a big, wooden spoon," she said. "Make a loud noise. Do this near The Grumpy Baby's bed. Do it for three nights. Do it each night." Mama Lena listened well.
Mama Lena made the loud noise. She did it for three nights. On the third night, a big Troll Mama came. She looked very cross. She held a sweet baby. It was Mama Lena's real baby!
The Troll Mama put the sweet baby down. She picked up The Grumpy Baby. She looked at Mama Lena. She grumbled a little sound. Then she went away fast, out the door. Mama Lena had her real baby! Her baby smiled at her. Mama Lena was so happy. Papa was happy too.
Mama Lena learned to listen to grown-ups. Mama Lena and Papa were so happy. Their real baby was home, safe and sound! They kept their baby safe and warm. And they were happy ever after.
Original Story
The Changelings.
Every intelligent grandmother knows that the fire must not be allowed to go out in a room, where there is a child not yet christened; that the water in which the new-born child is washed should not be thrown out; also, that a needle, or some other article of steel must be attached to its bandages. If attention is not paid to these precautions it may happen that the child will be exchanged by the Trolls, as once occurred in Bettna many years ago.
A young peasant’s wife had given birth to her first child. Her mother, who lived some distance away, was on hand to officiate in the first duties attending its coming, but the evening before the day on which the child should be christened she was obliged to go home for a short time to attend to the wants of her own family, and during her absence the fire was allowed to go out.
No one would have noticed anything unusual, perhaps, if the child had not, during the baptism, cried like a fiend. After some weeks, however, the parents began to observe a change. It became ugly, cried continuously and was so greedy that it devoured everything that came in its way. The people being poor, they were in great danger of being eaten out of house and home. There could no longer be any doubt that the child was a “changeling.” Whereupon the husband sought a wise old woman, who, it was said, could instruct the parents what to do to get back their own child.
The mother was directed to build a fire in the bake oven three Thursday evenings in succession, lay the young one upon the bake shovel, then pretend that she was about to throw it into the fire. The advice was followed, and when the woman, the third evening, was in the act of throwing the changeling into the fire, it seemed, a little deformed, evil-eyed woman rushed up with the natural child, threw it in the crib and requested the return of her child. “For,” said she, “I have never treated your child so badly and I have never thought to do it such harm as you now propose doing mine,” whereupon she took the unnatural child and vanished through the door.
Another changeling story, but with less unfortunate consequences, is told in Södermanland.
A resident of Vingåkir, who made frequent trips to Nyköping with loads of flour, was in the habit of halting for the night at the house of a farmer in Verna. One summer night he arrived later than usual, and, as the people were already in bed and asleep, the weather being pleasant, he did not wish to wake anyone, so unhitched his horse from the wagon, hitched him to a hay stack and laid himself under the wagon to sleep.
He had been some time under the wagon, yet awake, when, from under a stone near by, an ugly, deformed woman, carrying a babe, made her appearance. Looking about her carefully, she laid the child on the stone and went into the house. In a short time she returned, bearing another child; laid it upon the stone, and taking up the first one, returned to the house.
The man observed her actions, and divining their purpose, crept cautiously from his resting place as soon as the woman had disappeared into the house, took the sleeping child and hid it in his coat under the wagon. When the Troll returned and found the child gone she went a third time to the house, from which she returned with the child she had just carried in, whereupon she disappeared under the stone.
The traveler, anxious for the welfare of his little charge, which had in such an extraordinary manner fallen into his hands, could not close his eyes for the rest of the night.
As soon as it dawned he went with his precious burden to the house, where he found the occupants in great consternation over the disappearance of the child, which, as may be presumed, was received with great rejoicing.
Story DNA
Moral
Adhering to traditional protective measures is crucial to safeguard children from supernatural threats.
Plot Summary
This folk tale presents two instances of changelings. In the first, a peasant couple's unchristened child is swapped by Trolls after the protective fire goes out. The changeling becomes insatiably greedy, prompting the father to seek a wise woman's advice. The mother is instructed to pretend to throw the changeling into a bake oven, which on the third attempt, causes the Troll mother to appear, return the human child, and reclaim her own. The second, shorter tale describes a merchant who witnesses a Troll woman exchanging a child and intervenes, hiding the human child until dawn, thus returning it to its grateful parents.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anxiety to relief
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story reflects pre-scientific explanations for infant illness, disability, or difficult temperament, attributing them to supernatural interference, common in European folklore.
Plot Beats (13)
- Traditional folklore dictates specific precautions (keeping fire lit, not throwing out wash water, steel in bandages) to prevent Trolls from exchanging unchristened children.
- A young peasant wife's first child is exchanged by Trolls because the fire was allowed to go out before its christening.
- The changeling child is ugly, cries incessantly, and is incredibly greedy, consuming all the family's food.
- The father consults a wise old woman for a solution to get their real child back.
- The wise woman instructs the mother to pretend to throw the changeling into a bake oven fire for three consecutive Thursday evenings.
- On the third evening, as the mother is about to enact the pretense, a deformed Troll woman appears.
- The Troll woman returns the human child to the crib, scolds the mother for her cruelty, and takes her changeling back, then vanishes.
- A second story begins with a flour merchant stopping overnight under his wagon in Verna.
- He observes an ugly, deformed woman (a Troll) emerge from under a stone, exchange a child from the house, and return to her hiding place.
- The merchant, realizing what happened, takes the human child the Troll left on the stone and hides it under his coat.
- The Troll returns, finds her changeling gone, goes back into the house, and then disappears under the stone with the child she had just brought in.
- The merchant, anxious, stays awake until dawn with the rescued child.
- At dawn, he brings the child into the house, where the occupants are in distress over their child's disappearance, and they joyfully receive it back.
Characters
The Young Peasant's Wife ★ protagonist
Likely of sturdy build from peasant life, perhaps a bit tired from childbirth and the stress of her situation. Her features would be ordinary, reflecting a life of hard work in rural Sweden.
Attire: Simple, practical Swedish peasant clothing of the 19th century: a long, plain linen or wool dress, possibly with a simple apron over it, in muted earth tones or undyed fabric. Sturdy leather shoes or clogs.
Wants: To get her true child back and alleviate the suffering caused by the changeling.
Flaw: Her initial ignorance of the troll precautions, her desperation which makes her vulnerable to extreme advice.
Transforms from a hopeful new mother into a desperate woman willing to perform a drastic act to save her family and reclaim her child, ultimately succeeding.
Loving, desperate, obedient (to the wise woman's advice), resilient, burdened.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young Swedish peasant woman, early 19th century, standing, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a sturdy build, fair skin, and light brown hair pulled back in a simple bun. Her face shows a mix of weariness and determination, with soft, worried eyes. She wears a long, plain grey linen dress, a dark blue wool apron, and sturdy brown leather clogs. Her hands are clasped tightly in front of her. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Changeling (Bettna) ⚔ antagonist
Initially appears as a human infant, but quickly becomes 'ugly' and 'deformed' in the eyes of its human parents. It is likely small, perhaps with disproportionate features or an unnatural pallor.
Attire: Wrapped in simple swaddling clothes, typical of a human infant, but these would likely appear ill-fitting or constantly soiled due to its nature.
Wants: To consume and cause distress, as is the nature of a troll child in human guise.
Flaw: Vulnerable to human folk magic and the threat of fire, which forces its true mother to reclaim it.
Remains unchanged in its nature, but is ultimately returned to its true mother.
Greedy, continuously crying, destructive (through its consumption), malevolent (implied by its nature).
Image Prompt & Upload
A small infant, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. It has an unnaturally ugly, distorted face with wide, dark, malevolent eyes and a perpetually open mouth, screaming. Its skin is pale and slightly greenish. It is wrapped in simple, soiled white linen swaddling clothes. Its tiny fists are clenched. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Deformed Evil-Eyed Woman ⚔ antagonist
Described as 'a little deformed, evil-eyed woman'. This suggests a small stature, possibly hunched or twisted, with features that are not humanly proportioned. Her skin might be rough or earthy.
Attire: Simple, dark, and possibly ragged clothing, perhaps made of rough homespun fabric or animal skins, blending into the natural environment. No specific details are given, but it would be practical for living underground.
Wants: To reclaim her child from the human world and express her indignation at its mistreatment.
Flaw: Her emotional attachment to her own child, which makes her reveal herself.
Appears to reclaim her child, showing a brief glimpse of maternal care, then vanishes.
Protective (of her own child), vengeful (in her words), cunning (in the swap), quick to anger.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, hunched, deformed female troll, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has rough, greyish-green skin, a wide, flat nose, and thin, cruel lips. Her eyes are unnaturally bright yellow and piercing. Her dark, coarse hair is wild and unkempt. She wears a ragged, dark brown tunic made of coarse fabric, cinched with a simple rope, and no shoes. Her hands are gnarled. She holds a small, ugly infant protectively. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Wise Old Woman ◆ supporting
Likely frail but with an aura of quiet strength and wisdom. Her face would be lined with age and experience.
Attire: Traditional, simple Swedish peasant clothing for an elderly woman: a dark, long-sleeved dress, possibly a shawl wrapped around her shoulders, and a headscarf or cap. Practical and modest.
Wants: To help the distressed parents reclaim their child, upholding traditional folk remedies.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but her power is limited to providing advice, not direct intervention.
Serves as a catalyst for the plot's resolution; her role is to provide the solution.
Wise, knowledgeable (in folk magic), authoritative, calm, observant.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly Swedish peasant woman, early 19th century, standing, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a thin, wiry build, a face deeply lined with wrinkles, and sharp, intelligent grey eyes. Her white hair is neatly pulled back under a dark linen headscarf. She wears a long, dark grey wool dress with a simple white apron and a dark shawl draped over her shoulders. Her expression is calm and knowing. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Traveler (Vingåkir) ★ protagonist
Likely a sturdy, practical man, accustomed to physical labor and travel. His build would be strong, but not necessarily refined.
Attire: Practical, durable clothing suitable for a flour merchant in rural Sweden: sturdy wool trousers, a linen shirt, a thick wool vest or jacket, and robust leather boots. Colors would be muted and earthy.
Wants: To complete his journey, but then driven by a sense of duty to protect the child he discovered.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but his initial decision to sleep under the wagon rather than wake the farmer could be seen as a minor vulnerability that led to his encounter.
Begins as an ordinary merchant on a routine trip and becomes an accidental hero, saving a human child from a changeling swap.
Observant, cautious, quick-thinking, compassionate (towards the human child), responsible.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sturdy Swedish flour merchant, early 19th century, standing, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a strong build, a weathered face with a short, dark beard, and observant brown eyes. His dark brown hair is practical and short. He wears sturdy dark grey wool trousers, a cream linen shirt, a dark green wool vest, and tall, worn brown leather boots. He holds a small, swaddled infant carefully in his arms. His expression is one of cautious concern. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Ugly Deformed Woman (Södermanland) ⚔ antagonist
Described as 'ugly, deformed'. This implies a grotesque appearance, possibly with a hunched back, gnarled limbs, or disproportionate features. Her skin might be rough, earthy, or pale.
Attire: Simple, dark, and possibly ragged clothing, made of rough natural materials, suitable for a creature living under a stone. No specific details are given, but it would be primitive.
Wants: To swap her troll child for a human child, as is the nature of trolls.
Flaw: Her inability to perceive the Traveler's presence, leading to her plan being foiled.
Her plan is thwarted, and she is left with her own child, failing in her objective.
Cunning, secretive, persistent (in her attempt to swap children), frustrated (when her plan is thwarted).
Image Prompt & Upload
An ugly, deformed female troll, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a hunched back, gnarled hands, and rough, greyish-brown skin. Her face is grotesque, with small, beady black eyes, a wide, downturned mouth, and a flattened nose. Her dark, matted hair hangs in tangled strands. She wears a simple, dark, tattered tunic made of rough, undyed fabric. She holds a small, swaddled infant. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Peasant's Cottage (Bettna)
A humble, likely single-room dwelling typical of a Swedish peasant family in Bettna, with a central hearth or bake oven. The interior would be simple, functional, and potentially dim, with a crib for the newborn.
Mood: Initially hopeful and domestic, later becoming desperate and eerie due to the changeling's presence.
The original child is exchanged here; the changeling causes distress; the mother attempts to 'bake' the changeling back into a human.
Image Prompt & Upload
A rustic, dimly lit interior of a 19th-century Swedish peasant cottage. A large, domed brick bake oven dominates one wall, its opening dark. Simple, rough-hewn wooden furniture is scattered around a packed earth floor. A small, wooden crib sits in a corner, casting long shadows. The air feels heavy and still. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Farmer's House (Verna)
A traditional Swedish farmhouse in Verna, likely a red-painted Falu Rödfärg wooden house with white trim, typical of the region. The interior is where the human child is taken by the troll.
Mood: Quiet and peaceful from the outside, but a place of hidden magical activity within.
The troll enters and exits this house to exchange the children.
Image Prompt & Upload
A traditional red Falu Rödfärg Swedish farmhouse at deep night, nestled amongst green summer fields. The windows are dark and shuttered, suggesting the occupants are asleep. A faint glow from the moon illuminates the white trim around the windows and door. The surrounding landscape is soft and verdant under a clear, star-dusted sky. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Roadside by a Stone and Haystack
A rural roadside in Södermanland, Sweden, featuring a large, prominent stone and a haystack. The ground is likely unpaved, possibly dirt or gravel, with natural vegetation.
Mood: Initially peaceful and quiet, becoming mysterious and watchful as the traveler observes the troll.
The traveler sleeps here; the troll emerges from under the stone; the child exchange occurs on the stone; the traveler intervenes.
Image Prompt & Upload
A quiet, unpaved rural road at night in Södermanland, Sweden, illuminated by soft moonlight. A large, moss-covered boulder sits prominently by the roadside, with a small, dark opening at its base. Nearby, a tall, golden haystack casts a long shadow. A simple wooden wagon is parked beside the road, and a horse is tethered to the haystack. The surrounding field is covered in tall summer grasses. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
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