The Treasure in Säby Creek
by Herman Hofberg · from Swedish fairy tales
Adapted Version
A rich old man lived. He lived in a big house. He had much gold and silver. He did not want to share his money. He was old. He would die soon. He thought about his money.
One day, he took his gold. He took his silver. He put it on a golden wagon. He pulled the wagon to the creek. The creek was deep. He sank the wagon. He sank the treasure. Then he went home. Then he died.
Seven years passed. A blue light shone on the creek. This light was a sign. The treasure was now magic. It was a magic treasure. Many people tried to get it. They tried to pull it out. It was too heavy. No one could move it.
A Farmer met a Wise Old Man. The Wise Old Man told a secret. He said, "Get two white baby cows." "They must have no black hair." "Feed them only milk." "Do this for three years." "Then they will be strong."
The Farmer looked for cows. He found two white baby cows. They had no black hair. He took them home. He fed them milk. He fed them milk every day. He cared for them well.
A Helper Girl helped the Farmer. She fed the cows. One day, she made a mistake. She spilled some milk. She put water in one cow's milk. The cow drank the water. The Farmer did not know this.
Three years passed. The baby cows grew big. They were now strong oxen. The Farmer took them to the creek. They were very strong. He put a yoke on them. He hitched them to the golden wagon.
The oxen pulled hard. The wagon moved up. It came half out of the water. But one ox fell down. The wagon sank back down. It went back into the deep water.
The Farmer tried again. The oxen pulled again. The wagon came up. But the same ox fell. It happened again and again. One ox was not as strong.
The wagon sank one last time. A magic voice came from the deep water. It said, "Cows are too weak!"
The Farmer understood. The treasure was magic. He could not get it. He was very sad. The golden wagon stayed in the creek. It is still there today. It is a magic secret. It is not good to be greedy.
Original Story
The Treasure in Säby Creek.
On the estate of Säby, in the parish of Hassle, lived, in former days, a gentleman so rich that he could have purchased half of the territory of Vestergötland, but so miserly that he could not find it in his heart to spend money for necessary food.
When he became aged, and knew that his life was drawing to a close, he began to ponder what he should do with his wealth to prevent its falling into the hands of people not akin to him, and finally he arrived at what he thought a wise determination.
One Sunday, when the people of the house were all in church, he loaded his gold and silver upon a golden wagon and drew it down to Säby Creek, where he sank it in the deepest hole he could find. Reaching home again, he felt more than usually content, and laid himself down upon his bed, where he was found upon the return of the people from church.
When a treasure has been concealed seven years, the Red Spirit is said to take possession of it, and it is then called “Dragon’s property.” Over the spot where the treasure lies a blue flame is seen to flutter at night time, and it is said the dragons are then polishing their treasure.
When the seven years had passed the dragon light was seen over Säby Creek, now for the first time revealing where the miser had deposited his wealth. Many efforts were made to recover the costly wagon and its load, but neither horses nor oxen were found with strength enough to lift it from the hole.
About this time it happened that a farmer, returning from the market of Skagersholm, where he had been with a load of produce, found quarters for the night with an old man at Tveden. The evening conversation turned upon the hidden treasure, and the many unsuccessful attempts to recover it that had been made, when the old man instructed his guest to procure a pair of bull calves, upon which there should not be a single black hair, and to feed them for three years on skimmed milk, whereby they would acquire the necessary strength to drag the wagon out of the creek.
After great trouble the farmer was fortunate enough to find the desired white calves, and he at once set about rearing them as instructed. But one time the girl who had care of the calves accidentally spilled some of the milk set apart for one of them, and, in order to have the pail full, she replaced the milk with water and gave it to the calf as if nothing had happened. Meantime the calves grew up on their excellent food to large and powerful oxen.
When they were three years old the farmer drove them to the creek and hitched them to the golden wagon. It was heavy, but the calves put their shoulders to it, and had raised it half way from the hole, when one of them fell upon his knees, and the wagon sank back to its old resting-place. The farmer yoked them to it again, but just as the wagon was about to be landed safely, the same bull fell to its knees a second time, so it went time after time, until, finally, the owner saw that one of the bulls was weaker than the other.
When the wagon sank back the last time a bubbling and murmuring came up from the depths and a smothered voice was heard to mutter:
“Your skimmed milk calves can’t draw my wagon out.” Whereupon the farmer understood that to trouble himself further would be useless, since when no attempts have been made to secure the treasure.
Story DNA
Moral
Greed can lead to a loss of wealth, and ill-gotten or selfishly hoarded treasures are often protected by supernatural forces, making them impossible to retrieve.
Plot Summary
A rich but miserly gentleman, fearing his wealth will go to others, sinks his gold and silver in Säby Creek before he dies. After seven years, the treasure becomes 'Dragon's property,' marked by a blue flame, and proves impossible to retrieve. A farmer learns from an old man that only two pure white bull calves, fed skimmed milk for three years, can pull it out. The farmer raises the calves, but one is accidentally fed diluted milk. When the farmer attempts to retrieve the treasure, the weakened bull repeatedly fails, and a voice from the creek reveals that the impure feeding has rendered the attempt useless, leaving the treasure forever lost.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to futility
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This tale reflects common Scandinavian folklore beliefs about hidden treasures, often guarded by spirits or dragons, and the idea that such treasures are cursed or require specific, often ritualistic, means to retrieve.
Plot Beats (11)
- A rich but miserly gentleman at Säby estate, facing death, decides to hide his wealth from his relatives.
- He loads his gold and silver onto a golden wagon and sinks it in the deepest part of Säby Creek, then dies contentedly.
- After seven years, the treasure becomes 'Dragon's property,' marked by a blue flame, and all initial attempts to retrieve it fail due to its immense weight.
- A farmer, staying overnight with an old man, learns of a specific method to retrieve the treasure: using two pure white bull calves, fed only skimmed milk for three years.
- The farmer finds the calves and begins raising them according to the instructions.
- A girl accidentally replaces some of the skimmed milk with water for one of the calves, unbeknownst to the farmer.
- After three years, the farmer hitches the now powerful oxen to the golden wagon in the creek.
- The oxen manage to lift the wagon halfway out, but one of them falters, and the wagon sinks back.
- This failure repeats several times, revealing that one bull is weaker than the other.
- After the final failed attempt, a voice from the creek's depths declares, 'Your skimmed milk calves can’t draw my wagon out.'
- The farmer realizes the treasure is supernaturally protected and that his efforts are useless, leaving the treasure forever lost.
Characters
The Miserly Gentleman of Säby ★ protagonist
A gaunt, stooped man of advanced age, with a wiry frame made thinner by his self-imposed starvation. His skin is pale and papery, stretched taut over sharp cheekbones. He moves with a slow, deliberate shuffle, conserving every ounce of energy.
Attire: Wears threadbare, dark wool garments that are several sizes too large, hanging loosely on his emaciated frame. His trousers are patched, and his tunic is faded, likely once a dark grey or brown, now a dull, indeterminate color. He wears simple, worn leather shoes.
Wants: To prevent his vast wealth from falling into the hands of anyone not related to him, even if it means burying it forever.
Flaw: His extreme miserliness and distrust of others, which leads him to hide his wealth in an inaccessible way.
His arc is complete before the story truly begins, as his final act is to hide his treasure. He dies content in his miserly accomplishment.
Extremely miserly, cunning, secretive, determined, content (after hiding treasure).
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly, gaunt man with a deeply wrinkled, pale face and small, beady blue eyes. His sparse, white hair is unkempt. He wears a patched, dark grey wool tunic and trousers, and worn leather shoes. He is hunched over, slowly pulling a small, ornate golden wagon laden with gold and silver coins. His expression is one of grim satisfaction. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Farmer ◆ supporting
A sturdy, broad-shouldered man with a weathered face, indicative of a life spent working outdoors in the Swedish countryside. He has strong, capable hands and a practical build.
Attire: Wears practical, durable clothing typical of a 19th-century Swedish farmer: a thick, homespun linen shirt, a sturdy wool waistcoat, dark wool trousers, and heavy leather boots. He might wear a simple, wide-brimmed felt hat when outdoors.
Wants: To recover the hidden treasure from Säby Creek.
Flaw: His reliance on the specific instructions, which are unknowingly sabotaged.
Starts with hope and determination, investing years into the old man's plan. Ends in resignation and understanding of the futility of his efforts.
Determined, persistent, resourceful, trusting (of the old man's advice), ultimately resigned.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sturdy adult man with a weathered, ruddy face and short, practical brown hair. He wears a homespun linen shirt, a dark wool waistcoat, and sturdy dark trousers, with heavy leather boots. He stands with a determined expression, holding a wooden yoke. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Old Man at Tveden ◆ supporting
A wizened old man, perhaps a bit frail but with a spark of wisdom in his eyes. He has the appearance of someone who has lived a long life in the Swedish countryside, with a slightly stooped posture.
Attire: Simple, clean, and practical clothing: a dark, homespun wool tunic or jacket, sturdy linen trousers, and soft leather slippers or worn boots. His clothes are well-maintained but show signs of age.
Wants: To share his knowledge and perhaps see the treasure recovered.
Flaw: His knowledge is based on folklore, which can be precise but also vulnerable to human error.
A static character who provides crucial information but does not change.
Wise, knowledgeable (of local folklore), helpful, calm, observant.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly man with a kind, deeply wrinkled face and thin, wispy white hair. His eyes are deep-set and knowing. He wears a dark, homespun wool tunic and sturdy linen trousers. He has a calm, thoughtful expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Girl ○ minor
A young, perhaps slightly clumsy, woman of average build, likely with the healthy complexion of someone working on a farm.
Attire: Wears typical peasant attire for a young woman in 19th-century Sweden: a simple linen shift, a practical wool skirt, and a plain apron. Her clothes are functional and well-worn, perhaps a bit stained from farm work.
Wants: To care for the calves as instructed, and to cover up her mistake when she spills milk.
Flaw: Carelessness and fear of reprimand, leading to a critical error.
A static character whose single action has significant consequences.
Careless (in the moment), perhaps a bit anxious (to hide her mistake), otherwise diligent.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman of average build with practical brown hair tied back, and a simple, unassuming face. She wears a plain linen shift, a practical wool skirt, and a simple apron. She holds a wooden milk pail, looking slightly flustered. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The White Bull Calves (later Oxen) ◆ supporting
Two magnificent, powerful oxen, entirely white with not a single black hair. They are exceptionally strong and well-muscled, having been fed a special diet for three years. One is slightly weaker than the other due to the diluted milk.
Attire: None, other than the yokes placed upon them.
Wants: To obey their master, the Farmer, and pull the golden wagon.
Flaw: One bull's compromised strength due to diluted milk, which makes the pair unable to complete the task.
They grow from calves to powerful oxen, demonstrating their strength but ultimately failing due to an external factor.
Strong, obedient, persistent (initially), but one is ultimately vulnerable due to its compromised upbringing.
Image Prompt & Upload
Two powerful, pure white oxen with dark, intelligent eyes and strong, curved horns. Their bodies are exceptionally well-muscled. They are yoked together, straining forward. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Red Spirit / Dragon's Property (Voice) ⚔ antagonist
Primarily unseen, but its presence is indicated by a blue flame fluttering over the creek. It is associated with dragons polishing their treasure.
Attire: Not applicable.
Wants: To guard the treasure it has claimed after seven years.
Flaw: None explicitly stated, but its power is tied to the treasure's location and the specific conditions for its retrieval.
A static, supernatural force that asserts its power.
Possessive, mocking, powerful, ancient.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dark, murky body of water, with a small, ethereal blue flame flickering and hovering just above its surface. The water appears deep and mysterious. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Säby Estate
The gentleman's estate in the parish of Hassle, where he lived and eventually died.
Mood: Somber, quiet, isolated
The miserly gentleman lives and dies here, and loads his treasure onto a wagon before his death.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dimly lit, sparse interior of a 17th-century Swedish manor house, with rough-hewn timber beams and simple, unadorned plaster walls. A heavy, dark wooden bed dominates the scene, covered with plain linen. Faint light filters through a small, leaded-glass window, casting long shadows across the worn floorboards. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Säby Creek
A natural watercourse near the Säby estate, featuring a deep hole where the treasure was submerged. Later, a blue flame hovers over it at night.
Mood: Mysterious, eerie, foreboding, magical
The gentleman sinks his treasure here. Seven years later, a blue flame appears, marking the 'Dragon's property'. Attempts are made to retrieve the treasure.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dark, still creek at night, reflecting the faint glow of a crescent moon. A shimmering, ethereal blue flame hovers just above the water's surface in the deepest part of the creek. The banks are lined with dense, dark spruce and birch trees, their silhouettes stark against the twilight sky. The water's surface is calm, with subtle ripples around the flame. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Farmer's Farmyard/Pasture
The farmer's property where the white bull calves are raised on skimmed milk for three years.
Mood: Rural, industrious, hopeful
The farmer raises the special white bull calves here, preparing them to retrieve the treasure.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sun-drenched, verdant pasture on a Swedish farm, enclosed by a simple wooden fence. Two robust, pure white bull calves graze peacefully, their coats gleaming in the afternoon light. In the background, a traditional red-painted Falu-red timber barn with a white trim stands under a clear blue sky. The ground is covered in lush green grass with scattered wildflowers. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
](/library-files/english/herman_hofberg/swedish_fairy_tales/b_lsbj_rn_1_xd32e2718/images/cover/cover_001.png?w=150)