The Mountain Kitchen.[1](#xd32e2252)
by Herman Hofberg
](https://xmoj.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpustaka.org%2Flibrary-files%2Fenglish%2Fherman_hofberg%2Fswedish_fairy_tales%2Fthe_mountain_kitchen_1_xd32e2252%2Fimages%2Fcover%2Fcover_001.png&w=800&h=1064&fit=cover&output=webp&q=80)
Slottbon and the Mountain Snakes
One sunny day, a man named Slottbon took his horse. He went to the big mountain. Slottbon let his horse go. He wanted to go home now.
A mysterious man stood there. He asked Slottbon a question. "Do you want to see my mountain kitchen?" Slottbon said yes. He felt a little surprised. He followed the man into the mountain.
They went inside the mountain. It was very big. Slottbon saw a kitchen. It had many shining things. Gold and silver cups were there. Gold and silver plates were there. Slottbon felt very amazed. He looked all around.
The man asked Slottbon to eat. Slottbon said yes. The man went to get food. Slottbon was alone. He saw the shining things. He wanted them. He put gold cups in his apron. He put silver plates in his apron. It was a secret.
Slottbon ran out of the mountain. He had the shining things. He ran very fast. He did not want to wait. He ran away with his treasure.
Slottbon stopped at a place. He sat on a stone. He looked at his treasure. He took one gold cup. He threw it on the ground.
The gold cup changed. It became a long snake. Slottbon felt very surprised. He felt a little scared. He threw another silver plate. It also became a snake. All his treasure turned to snakes. Many snakes were on the ground.
Slottbon was very scared. He dropped his apron. He dropped all the snakes. He ran away very fast. The snakes followed him. They were big, wiggling snakes. They moved very fast too. Slottbon ran and ran.
Slottbon felt very tired. He thought he was lost. He jumped on a big tree. It was a fallen tree. He cried out for help. He was very afraid.
Then, something happened. The snakes were gone. They vanished very fast. Slottbon was safe. He felt very happy.
Slottbon learned a big lesson. It is not good to take things. They do not belong to you. Bad things can happen. This happens if you are greedy. Slottbon never took things again.
Original Story
The Mountain Kitchen.[1](#xd32e2252)
In the parish of Bolsta there lived, many years ago, a man named Slottbon. One summer evening he rode his horse to pasture up toward Dalo Mountain. Just as he let the horse go, and was turning to go home, a black man confronted him and asked him if he did not wish to see the mountain kitchen.
Slottbon acquiesced and followed his conductor into the mountain, where it seemed to him certain that he must lose his senses among the glitter of gold and silver utensils of the kitchen, with which he was surrounded.
The mountain man inquired of his guest if he should order something to eat for him, to which Slottbon assented, and, while his host was absent preparing the repast, improved the opportunity to gather up all the gold and silver his leather apron would hold, and with it hasten away with all possible speed, not slacking his pace until he came to a gravel pit, where it occurred to him to look at his treasure. Seating himself upon a stone, he began to throw the vessels, one after the other, upon the ground, where, as fast as they were thrown down, they were turned into serpents.
Thoroughly frightened at the sight, he dropped his whole burden and took to his heels, followed closely by the wriggling mass of enormous reptiles. Finally, when he had about given himself up for lost, he came to and sprang upon the trunk of a fallen tree and cried out, “God save me, poor sinner!” and in the twinkling of an eye the serpents vanished.
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[1](#xd32e2252src) This legend is noteworthy as being the only one, as far as the author has been able to find, in which Troll property is changed into snakes. Usually gold is changed into shavings, and silver to pebbles and sand; otherwise it brings disaster upon the usurper of Trolldom and his family. [↑](#xd32e2252src "Return to note 1 in text.")
Moral of the Story
Greed for ill-gotten gains leads to terrifying consequences, and only divine intervention can save those who succumb to it.
Characters
Slottbon ★ protagonist
A man of average height and build, likely with the weathered appearance of someone who works outdoors in a rural Swedish parish. His features would be sturdy and practical, not delicate.
Attire: Typical attire for a farmer in rural Sweden (Bolsta parish) many years ago: sturdy wool trousers, a simple linen or wool tunic, and a practical leather apron. Colors would be muted earth tones, perhaps a dark blue or grey for the tunic, and natural brown for the apron. He would wear sturdy leather boots.
Wants: To acquire wealth (gold and silver) for personal gain.
Flaw: Greed, which blinds him to the potential dangers of taking from the mountain folk.
Starts as a greedy opportunist, is thoroughly frightened by the consequences of his actions, and ends in a state of repentance and fear, learning a harsh lesson about taking what is not his.
Opportunistic, greedy, quick-thinking, easily frightened, ultimately repentant.
The Mountain Man ⚔ antagonist
Described as a 'black man,' which in Swedish folklore often refers to a dark-clad or shadowy figure, possibly a troll or other mountain spirit, rather than a person of African descent. He would appear human-like but with an unsettling, perhaps slightly larger or more rugged, presence. His skin might be pale or earthy, not necessarily dark in complexion, but his attire and aura would be dark.
Attire: Dark, heavy garments, possibly of a rough-spun wool or ancient design, consistent with a mountain dwelling spirit in Swedish folklore. Perhaps a dark cloak or tunic, and sturdy trousers. No specific colors are given beyond 'black man,' implying dark attire.
Wants: To observe humans, perhaps to test their character, and to guard the treasures of the mountain.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but his power seems tied to his domain and the rules of the mountain.
Remains consistent throughout the story, acting as a catalyst for Slottbon's actions and the enforcer of consequences.
Mysterious, observant, perhaps testing, and ultimately punitive.
Locations
Dalo Mountain Pasture
A high mountain pasture near Dalo Mountain in the parish of Bolsta, likely with sparse trees and open grazing land. The air is cool as evening approaches.
Mood: Peaceful, then subtly ominous as the 'black man' appears.
Slottbon lets his horse to pasture and is confronted by a 'black man' who invites him into the mountain.
The Mountain Kitchen (Troll's Lair)
An cavernous kitchen deep within Dalo Mountain, filled with an overwhelming, dazzling display of gold and silver utensils. The space is likely lit by an unseen, magical source, making the metallic surfaces glitter intensely.
Mood: Overwhelmingly opulent, magical, and disorienting, with an underlying sense of danger.
Slottbon is led into the mountain and attempts to steal the troll's gold and silver.
Gravel Pit and Forest Edge
A gravel pit at the edge of a forest, where Slottbon pauses to examine his stolen treasure. The ground is loose gravel and stones, with the dark, dense forest looming nearby.
Mood: Initially relieved and expectant, quickly turning to terror and desperation.
Slottbon's stolen treasure turns into serpents, and he is pursued until he finds refuge on a fallen tree and cries out for divine help.
Story DNA
Moral
Greed for ill-gotten gains leads to terrifying consequences, and only divine intervention can save those who succumb to it.
Plot Summary
Slottbon encounters a mysterious man who invites him into a magnificent mountain kitchen filled with gold and silver. Driven by greed, Slottbon steals a large quantity of the precious metals. Upon leaving, he discovers his stolen treasure transforms into terrifying serpents, which pursue him relentlessly. In a moment of despair, Slottbon cries out to God, and the serpents vanish, leaving him unharmed but deeply shaken by the experience.
Themes
Emotional Arc
curiosity to greed to terror to relief
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This tale is noted for its unique transformation of troll property into snakes, differing from the more common transformation into shavings or pebbles, highlighting a specific regional variation in folklore.
Plot Beats (10)
- Slottbon takes his horse to pasture near Dalo Mountain.
- A mysterious black man invites Slottbon to see the mountain kitchen.
- Slottbon follows the man into the mountain, where he is amazed by a kitchen filled with glittering gold and silver.
- The mountain man offers Slottbon food, and while he is gone, Slottbon secretly fills his leather apron with gold and silver utensils.
- Slottbon flees the mountain with his stolen treasure.
- He stops at a gravel pit to examine his loot, throwing the vessels onto the ground.
- Each vessel transforms into a serpent as it hits the ground.
- Terrified, Slottbon drops his entire burden and runs, pursued by a mass of enormous, wriggling reptiles.
- Feeling lost and about to give up, Slottbon leaps onto a fallen tree trunk and cries out, "God save me, poor sinner!"
- Immediately, the serpents vanish.
