The Tomts.[1](#xd32e2115)
by Herman Hofberg · from Swedish fairy tales
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Adapted Version
Long, long ago, people believed in Tomtes. They were very special! Little Tomtes were small men. They looked old. They wore gray clothes. They had red caps. They lived in barns. They made homes tidy and rich.
They woke people up. They helped build houses. They helped blacksmiths. Tomtes had their own special night. They did secret things then.
Little Tomtes liked clean homes. They liked happy homes. If a home was messy, they left. Then the home became poor.
Farmer Lars had much grain. He had more than he planted. He wanted to know. He hid in his barn. He wanted to see who helped.
Farmer Lars saw many Tomtes. They carried grain. One Tomte was very small. He carried a tiny straw.
Farmer Lars asked the tiny Tomte. "Why is your grain so small?" A different Tomte heard him. He said, "Your luck will go."
His farm did not grow well. He became poor. His good luck was gone.
People left warm mush. It was for the Tomtes. They did this on Christmas Eve.
One Barn Tomte got sweet mush. It had honey. He got it on Christmas Eve.
One year, the mush was too hot! The honey melted away. The Barn Tomte was very angry. He was very, very angry.
The Barn Tomte broke a fence. A cow wandered off. Then he saw the honey. It was at the bottom.
The Barn Tomte felt very sad. He found the lost cow. He brought it back. He brought one more cow.
Lena the Housewife saw her flour bin. It was always full. She watched. She saw a little Tomte. He sifted flour. He made more!
Lena was very kind. She wanted to thank the Tomte. She made him new clothes. It was a nice gift.
The Tomte put on his new clothes. "Oh no!" he said. "These clothes are too nice! I cannot sift flour. It will make them dusty!" So, he stopped helping.
It is good to be kind. But at times it is best to let helpers do their work in their own way. Do not try to change them. Do not give them gifts they do not need. And so, the people learned that it is good to respect the quiet magic that helps us each day. At times, the best way to say thank you is to let things be. Let our helpers do their work in their own special way.
Original Story
The Tomts.1
In descriptions of Tomts we are told that they look like little men well along in years, and in size about that of a child three or fours years old, as a rule clad in coarse gray clothes and wearing red caps upon their heads. They usually make the pantry or barn their abiding-place, where they busy themselves night and day, and keep watch over the household arrangements. When the servants are to go to threshing, or other work requiring early rising, they are awakened by the Tomts. If there is building going on, it is a good sign if the Tomts are heard chopping and pounding during the hours of rest for the workmen. In the forge where the Tomts have established themselves, the smith may take his rest in confidence that they will awaken him by a blow on the sole of the foot when it is time for him to turn the iron. Formerly no iron was worked on “Tomt night,” which they reserved for purposes of their own. On this night, were one to peek through the cracks of the door, the little people would be discovered working silver bars, or turning their own legs under the hammer.
It is believed that in the house or community where there is order and prosperity the Tomts are resident, but in the house where proper respect is lacking, or where there is a want of order and cleanliness, they will not remain, and it will follow that the cup-board and corn-crib will be empty, the cattle will not thrive, and the peasant will be reduced to extreme poverty and want.
It happened thus to a farmer that he had never finished his threshing before spring, although he could not find that he had harvested more grain than others of his neighbors. To discover, if might be, the source of such plenty, he one day hid himself in the barn, whence he saw a multitude of Tomts come, each bearing a stalk of rye, among them one not larger than a man’s thumb, bearing a straw upon his shoulders.
“Why do you puff so hard?” said the farmer from his hiding-place, “your burden is not so great.”
“His burden is according to his strength, for he is but one night old,” answered one of the Tomts, “but hereafter you shall have less.”
From that day all luck disappeared from the farmer’s house, and finally he was reduced to beggary.
In many districts it has been the custom to set out a bowl of mush for the fairies on Christmas eve.
In the parish of Nyhil there are two estates lying near each other, and both called Tobo. On one was a Tomt, who, on Christmas eve, was usually entertained with wheaten mush and honey. One time the mush was so warm when it was set out that the honey melted. When the Tomt came to the place and failed to find his honey as heretofore, he became so angry that he went to the stable and choked one of the cows to death. After having done this he returned and ate the mush, and, upon emptying the dish, found the honey in the bottom. Repenting his deed of a few minutes before, he carried the dead cow to a neighboring farm and led therefrom a similar cow with which to replace the one he had killed. During his absence the women had been to the barn and returned to the house, where the loss was reported to the men, but when the latter arrived at the cow-shed the missing cow had apparently returned. The next day they heard of the dead cow on the adjoining farm, and understood that the Tomts had been at work.
In one place, in the municipality of Ydre, a housewife remarked that however much she took of meal from the bins there seemed to be no diminution of the store, but rather an augmentation. One day when she went to the larder she espied, through the chinks of the door, a little man sifting meal with all his might.
Noticing that his clothes were very much worn, she thought to reward him for his labor and the good he had brought her, and made him a new suit, which she hung upon the meal bin, hiding herself to see what he would think of his new clothes. When the Tomt came again he noticed the new garments, and at once exchanged his tattered ones for the better, but when he began to sift and found that the meal made his fine clothes dusty he threw the sieve into the corner and said:
“Junker Grand is dusting himself. He shall sift no more.”
1 The belief in Tomts has been handed down to us through many generations, and is widespread in Sweden. In the opinion of the writer they are nothing more or less than an inheritance from the classical past and a remnant of the domestic worship which the ancients bestowed upon their family gods. Legends similar to this are related in Norway, where the spirit is called Topvette or Tomlevette and Gardos; also in Faroe Islands, where they are called Niagriusar, and in Germany, where they are called Kobolde, etc. ↑
Story DNA
Moral
Respect the unseen forces that bring prosperity, and do not interfere with their work or attempt to reward them in human ways.
Plot Summary
This folk tale describes Tomts, small household spirits in Sweden, who bring prosperity and order to homes that show them respect. The story presents several anecdotes illustrating the consequences of human interaction with Tomts: a farmer loses his luck after questioning a Tomt's work, a Tomt angered by a melted offering replaces a cow he killed in a fit of rage, and a housewife inadvertently causes a Tomt to cease his meal-sifting duties by giving him new clothes that he deems too fine for work. The overarching message is a cautionary one about respecting these beneficial, yet sensitive, supernatural helpers.
Themes
Emotional Arc
order to disorder | prosperity to poverty | gratitude to loss
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The text explicitly states that the belief in Tomts is widespread in Sweden and is an inheritance from classical domestic worship, similar to beliefs in Norway (Topvette, Tomlevette, Gardos), Faroe Islands (Niagriusar), and Germany (Kobolde).
Plot Beats (15)
- The story begins by describing Tomts: their appearance, dwelling places, and their role in bringing order and prosperity to a household.
- Tomts are said to awaken servants, work in building projects, and assist smiths, reserving 'Tomt night' for their own mysterious activities.
- It is stated that Tomts reside where there is order and respect, but leave where there is disorder, leading to poverty.
- A farmer, puzzled by his abundant harvest despite not planting more, hides in his barn to discover the source.
- He sees many Tomts bringing rye stalks, including a tiny one with a small straw.
- The farmer questions the tiny Tomt's light burden, and another Tomt warns him that he will 'hereafter have less' due to his interference.
- From that day, the farmer loses all luck and is reduced to beggary.
- The custom of leaving mush for fairies on Christmas eve is mentioned.
- A Tomt at Tobo is accustomed to wheaten mush and honey on Christmas eve.
- One year, the mush is too warm, melting the honey, which angers the Tomt.
- In his rage, the Tomt chokes a cow to death, then finds the honey at the bottom of the dish.
- Repenting, he replaces the dead cow with one from a neighboring farm.
- A housewife notices her meal bins never diminish, discovering a Tomt sifting meal.
- She makes him new clothes to reward him for his labor.
- The Tomt puts on the new clothes but refuses to sift meal, stating it would make his fine clothes dusty, thus ending his service.
Characters
The Tomt (General Description) ◆ supporting
Small, about the size of a three or four-year-old human child, with the appearance of an old man. They are sturdy and capable of hard labor despite their size.
Attire: Coarse gray clothes, likely made of homespun wool or linen, simple and practical for work. A distinctive red cap is always worn on their head.
Wants: To maintain order and prosperity in the household they inhabit, to perform their duties diligently, and to be respected for their efforts.
Flaw: Pride and a quick temper, especially when their expectations or traditions are not met (e.g., the honey incident, the new clothes incident). They are also vulnerable to being seen or interfered with by humans.
They do not have a personal arc, but their presence or absence dictates the arc of the human households they interact with.
Industrious, watchful, protective of the household, easily angered if disrespected or if their traditions are violated, but also capable of repentance and making amends. They value order and cleanliness.
Image Prompt & Upload
A tiny, elderly male figure, about the height of a three-year-old child, with a wizened, aged face and simple, unadorned features. He wears a distinctive bright red cap and a simple, coarse gray tunic and trousers, made of homespun fabric. He stands upright, facing forward, with a serious, industrious expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Farmer (first story) ★ protagonist
A typical Swedish farmer of the era, likely sturdy from manual labor, but no specific details are given. His appearance would reflect a life of hard work.
Attire: Simple, practical peasant clothing of the era, likely made of wool or linen in muted, natural colors. Perhaps a tunic, trousers, and sturdy boots.
Wants: To understand the source of his unusual prosperity (his abundant harvest) and to maintain it.
Flaw: His inability to keep silent and his interference with the Tomts' work, leading to their departure and his ruin.
He begins prosperous, then through his own actions (interfering with the Tomts), he loses all his luck and is reduced to beggary.
Curious, observant, but also somewhat boastful and perhaps lacking in understanding of the supernatural. He is ultimately imprudent.
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged Swedish peasant man, of average height and sturdy build, with a weathered face and short, practical brown hair. He wears a simple, patched linen tunic in a muted brown, coarse wool trousers, and sturdy leather boots. His expression is initially curious, then shifts to one of deep worry and despair. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Tomt (Tobo Estate) ◆ supporting
Small, about the size of a three or four-year-old human child, with the appearance of an old man. He is strong enough to choke a cow and carry it.
Attire: Coarse gray clothes, likely made of homespun wool or linen, simple and practical for work. A distinctive red cap is always worn on his head.
Wants: To receive his traditional Christmas Eve offering of mush and honey, and to maintain the order and balance of the household.
Flaw: His quick temper and tendency to act rashly when angered, as seen with the cow.
He experiences a moment of anger and violence, followed by immediate repentance and an attempt to correct his wrong.
Traditional, easily angered when his customs are not met (like the cold honey), but also capable of deep repentance and making amends for his mistakes.
Image Prompt & Upload
A tiny, elderly male figure, about the height of a three-year-old child, with a wizened, aged face and simple, unadorned features. He wears a distinctive bright red cap and a simple, coarse gray tunic and trousers, made of homespun fabric. He is depicted carrying a large, full-grown brown cow on his shoulders, his expression a mix of effort and slight remorse. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Housewife (Ydre municipality) ★ protagonist
A typical Swedish housewife of the era, likely of sturdy build from household chores. No specific details are given.
Attire: Practical peasant clothing of the era, likely a linen shift, a wool skirt, and an apron, in muted, natural colors.
Wants: To understand the source of her unending meal supply and to show gratitude to the unseen helper.
Flaw: Her well-intentioned generosity inadvertently disrupts the Tomt's work ethic and causes him to leave.
She begins benefiting from the Tomt's work, then through her act of kindness, she inadvertently causes him to leave, ending her good fortune.
Observant, kind, thoughtful, and generous, wishing to reward good deeds.
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged Swedish peasant woman, of average height and sturdy build, with a kind, observant expression. She has light brown hair pulled back neatly. She wears a practical, long-sleeved linen shift in cream, a dark blue wool skirt, and a white apron tied at the waist. She holds a small, neatly folded suit of coarse gray clothes in her hands, looking towards a wooden meal bin with a thoughtful expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Farmer's Barn
A traditional Swedish barn, likely constructed of timber, with a threshing floor. It would be a dark, dusty space, filled with the scent of hay and grain, with cracks in the wooden walls allowing slivers of light or moonlight to penetrate.
Mood: mysterious, industrious, later desolate
The farmer hides to discover the source of his abundant harvest and sees the Tomts working, but his interference causes his luck to vanish.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dimly lit, rustic Swedish timber barn interior at night. Moonlight filters through narrow cracks in the weathered wooden plank walls, casting long shadows across a packed earth threshing floor. Piles of dried rye stalks are stacked against one wall, and the air is thick with dust motes illuminated by the faint light. A small, hidden alcove is barely visible in the corner. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Tobo Estate Stable
A typical Swedish stable, likely a timber structure with stalls for cattle. It would be cool and quiet, smelling of hay, straw, and livestock, with a simple wooden trough for feed.
Mood: eerie, tense, later remorseful
The angry Tomt chokes a cow to death here after finding his honey melted, then later replaces it.
Image Prompt & Upload
A quiet, rustic Swedish stable interior on a cold winter night. Heavy timber beams support a low ceiling, and individual wooden stalls line the walls, each with a simple wooden trough. Moonlight streams faintly through a small, high window, casting soft shadows on the straw-covered floor where a few cows are sleeping. The air is still and cool. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Housewife's Larder (Ydre Municipality)
A small, cool storage room within a Swedish farmhouse, likely with shelves and wooden bins for storing provisions like meal. It would be dimly lit, with a sturdy wooden door that has chinks or cracks.
Mood: secretive, industrious, later whimsical
The housewife discovers the Tomt sifting meal, and later leaves him new clothes on the meal bin, leading to his departure.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, cool larder inside a traditional Swedish farmhouse. Rough-hewn wooden shelves line the walls, holding various provisions in earthenware pots and sacks. A large, open wooden bin filled with meal stands prominently. Sunlight filters through a narrow crack in the sturdy wooden door, illuminating dust motes in the air. A small, discarded sieve lies in a corner. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
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