The Trolls in Resslared
by Herman Hofberg · from Swedish fairy tales
Adapted Version
Mountain people lived near a village. Their home was a big hill. A church was in the village.
People built a church. They put a big bell in it. A priest said special prayers. The mountain people did not like it. They took the bell away. They put it in the water.
People made a new bell. Another priest said prayers. This bell was also big. The mountain people took it. They made it not work. It fell on the roof.
People made a third bell. The Wise Bishop came. He said very strong prayers. The bell was safe now. The mountain people did not touch it. The bell rang happily.
The mountain people lived well. They lived near the village people. They were good friends. The mountain people asked for food. They always gave back more. They gave back two for one.
The old village people went away. New people came to live there. These new people had much money. But they did not like to share. They were not kind.
One day, Mama Troll went to a house. She asked for some flour. Her baby was sick in the mountain. She needed flour for bread. Then she asked for some drink. She also asked for milk.
The Greedy Woman said, "No!" She had no flour. She had no drink. She had no milk. She told many lies.
Mama Troll said, "Very well." She said no more. She turned and she left. She went back to the mountain.
The Greedy Woman laughed. She went to her food room. She looked for her flour. It was gone. She looked for her drink. It was gone. She looked for her milk. It was gone.
Now the village had no food. Their good things went away. Nothing grew well anymore. There was not enough food. Things were always small.
The Greedy Woman had nothing. The new people had nothing. They did not share their food. They had to leave their homes. They went far away.
Greedy Woman and new people left. They learned to share, not be greedy. When you are kind, good things happen. When not kind, good things go away.
Original Story
The Trolls in Resslared.
In a mountain called Räfvakullen, Fox Hill, near the Church of Resslared, Trolls, it is said, have lived since long before the building of the church.
When the church was completed and the bell hung in the tower, the priest, as was the custom, proceeded to read prayers over it to protect it from the power of the Trolls. But his prayers lacked the expected efficacy, for he had not yet finished when the Trolls took the bell and sunk it in the “Troll Hole” near the church.
A new bell was cast and hung, and this time the provost, who was more learned, was selected to consecrate it. The provost also failed to hit upon the right prayers, for the following Sunday, when the bell was about to be used for the first time, it flew through the apertures in the tower and was broken on the roof of the church.
Again a bell was cast, and this time, as priest and provost seemed to be powerless against the Trolls, the Bishop of Skara was sent for. His prayers were effectual, and the bell was not again disturbed.
The Trolls thereafter dwelt in harmony with their neighbors, and especially with the parishioners of Resslared. From the latter the Trolls were wont to borrow food and drink, which they always returned two-fold.
In time the first residents died off, and new people took their places. The newcomers were well provided with this world’s goods, even to being wealthy, but they were niggardly and uncharitable.
One day the “mother” of the Trolls went, as was her custom of old, to a cottage, and asked the housewife if she could lend her a measure of meal.
“No, that is out of the question! I have none in the house!” said the woman.
“Very well! It is as you say, of course,” replied the Troll, “but maybe you can lend me a can or two of ale. My husband is away, and he will be very thirsty when he returns.”
“No, I can’t do that. My ale cans are all empty,” answered the housewife.
“Very good! Maybe you can lend me a little milk for my little child that is sick in the mountain.”
“Milk! Where should I get milk? My cows are all farrow,” said the woman.
“Very well,” said the Troll woman, and went her way.
The housewife laughed in her sleeve, and thought that she had escaped the Trolls cheaply; but when she inspected her larder it was found that she had really told the truth to the Troll woman. The meal boxes were swept clean, the ale barrels were empty, and the new milch cows, to the last one, farrow. Ever after that the plenty that had heretofore been was wanting, until finally the people were compelled to sell out and move away.
Story DNA
Moral
Greed and inhospitality lead to ruin, while generosity fosters prosperity.
Plot Summary
Trolls living near Resslared initially disrupt the church by stealing its bells until the Bishop of Skara successfully consecrates the third one. Afterward, the Trolls and the original villagers establish a harmonious relationship, with Trolls borrowing goods and returning them two-fold. However, when new, greedy residents replace the old, a Troll mother is refused basic necessities by a lying housewife. As a consequence, the housewife's larder, ale, and cows become barren, leading to perpetual scarcity in the village and forcing the uncharitable residents to abandon their homes.
Themes
Emotional Arc
harmony to discord | prosperity to ruin
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This tale reflects traditional Scandinavian folklore where Trolls are often depicted as ancient, powerful beings connected to nature, who can be either benevolent or malevolent depending on human interaction. The church's struggle against them highlights the transition from pagan beliefs to Christianity, with the Bishop representing a higher spiritual authority.
Plot Beats (12)
- Trolls live in Räfvakullen near Resslared church.
- The first church bell is consecrated by a priest, but Trolls steal and sink it.
- A second bell is consecrated by a provost, but Trolls break it on the church roof.
- The Bishop of Skara successfully consecrates a third bell, ending the Trolls' interference with the church.
- Trolls and the original parishioners of Resslared establish a harmonious relationship, with Trolls borrowing and returning two-fold.
- The original, generous residents die off and are replaced by wealthy but stingy newcomers.
- The Troll mother visits a new housewife to borrow meal, ale, and milk for her sick child.
- The housewife repeatedly lies, claiming to have none of these items.
- The Troll mother accepts the answers and leaves.
- The housewife inspects her larder and finds that her lies have become reality: her meal, ale, and milk are all gone.
- The village's prosperity vanishes, leading to perpetual scarcity.
- The uncharitable residents are eventually forced to sell their property and leave Resslared.
Characters
The Troll Mother ◆ supporting
A sturdy, somewhat squat figure, typical of Scandinavian trolls, with a robust build. Her skin is likely earthy and weathered, perhaps with a greenish or grayish tint, suggesting a life spent within the mountain. Her height would be slightly shorter than a human woman, but with a powerful presence.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing made of rough-spun wool and animal hides in muted earth tones (moss green, bark brown, stone grey). Perhaps a long, shapeless tunic over sturdy leggings, cinched with a leather belt. Her attire would be functional for mountain dwelling, not decorative.
Wants: To provide for her family and maintain the traditional, harmonious relationship between the trolls and the human villagers.
Flaw: Her reliance on the established customs and goodwill of the human villagers, which can be exploited by the uncharitable.
She begins by attempting to maintain the traditional, reciprocal relationship with the new villagers. When met with deceit and unkindness, she uses her power to teach them a harsh lesson, restoring balance to the relationship, albeit through scarcity.
Patient, observant, traditional, just, and capable of powerful retribution when wronged.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sturdy, somewhat squat female figure, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has earthy, weathered skin with a grayish tint. Her face is broad and flattened with deep-set, dark eyes and a broad, slightly upturned nose. Her hair is coarse, tangled, mossy brown, reaching her shoulders, with bits of leaves woven into it. She wears a shapeless, long tunic of rough-spun moss-green wool over sturdy dark brown leggings, cinched with a simple leather belt. Her expression is ancient and observant. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Niggardly Housewife ⚔ antagonist
A woman of average height and build for a Swedish villager of the era, perhaps a bit plump from her wealth, but with a stiff, ungenerous posture. Her features might be sharp, reflecting her uncharitable nature.
Attire: Well-made but plain and practical attire typical of a prosperous Swedish farmer's wife: a dark, heavy wool skirt, a plain linen blouse, and a sturdy, dark apron. Her clothes would be clean and well-maintained, but devoid of any decorative elements, reflecting her stinginess.
Wants: To hoard her wealth and avoid sharing, even with those who have a long-standing tradition of reciprocity.
Flaw: Her greed and lack of charity, which blinds her to the consequences of offending powerful beings.
She begins as a wealthy and self-satisfied woman who believes she can easily deceive the Troll Mother. She ends up losing all her abundance and being forced to sell her property and move away, learning a harsh lesson about charity and respect.
Niggardly, uncharitable, deceitful, self-satisfied, and ultimately foolish.
Image Prompt & Upload
A woman of average height and sturdy build, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a somewhat pinched face with narrow, suspicious dark eyes and thin, disapproving lips. Her fair skin is a bit sallow. Her light brown hair is pulled back severely into a tight bun. She wears a dark, heavy wool skirt, a plain cream linen blouse, and a sturdy, dark blue wool apron tied at the waist. Her posture is stiff and upright, with a rigid expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Bishop of Skara ◆ supporting
A tall, dignified man with a commanding presence, reflecting his high ecclesiastical office. His build would be lean, suggesting a life of study and spiritual discipline.
Attire: Formal ecclesiastical vestments appropriate for a Bishop in 19th-century Sweden. This would include a dark, flowing cassock, a white rochet (a surplice-like garment), and a black chimere (a sleeveless gown worn over the rochet). He would also wear a pectoral cross and possibly a mitre (bishop's hat) during the consecration, though a simple skullcap (zucchetto) might be worn otherwise.
Wants: To successfully consecrate the church bell and protect it from the trolls, thereby fulfilling his spiritual duty and restoring order.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, as he is the only one who succeeds.
He appears as a solution to a problem, demonstrating his spiritual power and bringing peace to the church's relationship with the trolls.
Wise, powerful, effective, and devout.
Image Prompt & Upload
An elderly, dignified man, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a wise, aged face with deep lines, keen dark eyes, and a full, neatly trimmed white beard and hair. He wears a dark, flowing black cassock, a white linen rochet, and a black wool chimere over it. A large, ornate silver pectoral cross hangs on a chain around his neck. His posture is stately and confident. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Räfvakullen (Fox Hill)
A prominent mountain near the Church of Resslared, serving as the dwelling place of the Trolls. Its slopes are likely covered in dense Scandinavian forest.
Mood: Ancient, mysterious, hidden, powerful.
The ancestral home of the Trolls, where they retreat after their interactions with the villagers.
Image Prompt & Upload
A steep, forested Scandinavian mountain slope, densely covered with tall, dark pine trees and lighter birch trees. Large, moss-covered boulders are scattered among the undergrowth. A narrow, winding path, barely visible, disappears into the thick woods. The air is cool and still, with soft, diffused light filtering through the canopy. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Church of Resslared
A medieval-style stone church, likely with a prominent bell tower, built in a rural Swedish setting. The interior would be simple, with stone walls and wooden beams.
Mood: Sacred, solemn, initially vulnerable to supernatural forces, later protected.
The site of repeated attempts to consecrate the church bell, and where the Trolls initially demonstrate their power.
Image Prompt & Upload
The interior of a simple, medieval Swedish stone church, looking up into a tall, square bell tower. Rough-hewn grey stone blocks form the walls, with narrow, arched apertures allowing shafts of cool, morning light to penetrate. A massive, newly cast bronze bell hangs from sturdy wooden beams. The air is still and cool, with a faint scent of old stone and wood. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Troll Hole
A specific, deep depression or body of water near the church, named for its association with the Trolls. It would be dark, perhaps murky, and surrounded by natural elements.
Mood: Mysterious, eerie, a place of hidden power.
Where the first church bell was sunk by the Trolls.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dark, still pool of water nestled deep within a dense, shadowed forest, close to a clearing. Overhanging gnarled branches of ancient oak and spruce trees create a canopy, casting deep shadows on the murky surface. Moss-covered rocks line the edges of the water, and the air is damp and cool, with a faint mist rising. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Villager's Cottage
A traditional Swedish rural cottage, likely a 'stuga' or 'torp', built of timber with a turf or thatched roof. The interior would be simple, warm, and functional, with a hearth and basic furnishings.
Mood: Initially prosperous and cozy, later becoming desolate and empty.
The setting for the Troll mother's final, unsuccessful request for provisions, leading to the villagers' ruin.
Image Prompt & Upload
The interior of a humble, traditional Swedish timber cottage. Rough-hewn wooden walls are dimly lit by the soft, fading light from a small window and the embers of a stone hearth. A simple wooden table and two chairs stand in the center. The larder shelves, built into the wall, are conspicuously bare, showing only dust. The air is cool and still, with a sense of quiet emptiness. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
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