The Trolls of Skurugata.[1](#xd32e1398)
by Herman Hofberg · from Swedish fairy tales
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Adapted Version
Long ago, Trolls lived in mountains. The mountains were quiet. They liked to be alone.
Trolls lived in the mountains. The mountains were their home. They liked quiet places. They lived deep in rocks.
Pelle was a hunter. He was not kind. He went to mountains. He wanted to hunt birds. But he did not catch any. Pelle was angry.
Pelle saw mountain rocks. He said mean words. He thought Trolls were bad. Trolls stopped his hunt. He was very angry.
A small Troll came out. She had strange eyes. She looked at Pelle. "My mistress wants you," she said. "Do a mean trick. Scare this little bird." The Troll held a bird.
Pelle took the bird. He tried to scare it. He tried to be mean. But the bird flew away. Pelle felt silly. He did not hurt it.
The Troll came back. She threw a coin. It landed in Pelle's hand. It stuck to his hand. "This is for you," she said. "For your mean heart." The coin was shiny.
Pelle did not like the coin. He threw it away. The Troll laughed loud. She went into rocks.
Pelle went home. He was very quiet. He did not talk. He felt sad inside. He wanted to be alone. He did not feel good.
Pelle looked for money. The coin was in his pocket. The shiny coin was there. He felt more sad. He did not want to work. He did not want to play.
Pelle threw the coin away. He threw it far. But it came back. It was in his pocket. He felt sad every day. He felt more sad.
Pelle was always sad. He was very lonely. He did not do good things. He just sat and sighed. The coin was always there.
Pelle was always sad. He was very lonely. This is why we must be kind. We must be kind to everyone. Even to Trolls in mountains.
Original Story
The Trolls of Skurugata.1
It is generally understood that Trolls, when their territory is encroached upon by mankind, withdraw to some more secluded place. So when Eksjö was built, those that dwelt in that vicinity moved to Skurugata, a defile between two high mountains whose perpendicular sides rise so near to each other as to leave the bottom in continual semi-darkness and gloom.
Here, it may be supposed, they were left in peace and tranquility. Not so, however, for it is related that upon the occasion of the annual meeting of troops at Ränneslätt, a whole battalion of Småland grenadiers repeatedly marched through, with beating drums and blowing horns, and that sometimes they fired a volley from their guns, which so alarmed the Trolls that it is now a question whether any are still remaining there.
In the neighborhood of the same mountain gulch is a very sacred fountain where those living thereabouts, in former times are said to have offered sacrifices to their patron saint. Whether this custom is now continued is not known. As intelligence increases this and all other peculiar customs will soon belong entirely to the province of tradition. A few decades ago this was not so; then one could, according to the narrations of old men and women, have had the pleasure of both seeing and talking with the Trolls.
There was once a hunter named Pelle Katt, who, one day, went to Skurugata for the purpose of shooting woodcock, but though it was the mating season, when birds are ordinarily plenty and tame, the hunt was unsuccessful. It was as though ordained. The puffy woodcock and his hens kept out of the way of the murderous shot. Pelle was angry, and suspecting that the Trolls had bewitched his gun, he swore and cursed the Trolls generally, and especially those that lived in Skurugata, whose mouth he was just passing, when a woman stepped out, small in stature and peculiar in feature, bearing a little poodle dog in her arms.
“I bring you greeting from my mistress; she says you are to shoot this dog,” said she, approaching Pelle.
“Tie it there to that tree and it shall be done before it can get upon its feet,” answered Pelle.
This was done, and the little woman disappeared between the mountains. Pelle raised his gun and sent a charge of shot through the dog’s head. But what a sight met his gaze when the smoke had disappeared! There lay his own little child wrapped in a dog’s hide.
Pelle Katt’s habits were not the best. He was fond of drink, quarrelsome and boisterous, and often in his drunken fits declared that he feared neither God nor the devil.
Now, for the first time in his life, he was amazed and crestfallen.
“O God! What have I now done!” he cried.
His knees smote together and the sweat ran copiously from every pore.
“Here you have your reward,” said the Troll woman, who now reappeared and threw a dollar piece to Pelle, so that it fell in his open hand, to which it stuck fast, and hastily picking up the dead child bore it away.
In a rage, Pelle threw the dollar piece after the vanishing figure, at the same time calling out:
“I will take no pay from you for such a deed. Here you have your gift again, you detestable Troll.”
A hoarse laugh answered from the mountain.
Pelle went home. The child was absent. His wife cried, but Pelle kept still and went to the ale house. He had no money with which to buy brandy in order to drown his sorrows, but after his old custom he stuck his fingers in his vest pocket to feel if there might not be a penny there. Behold! There was the dollar piece which he had recently cast from him. He dropped it upon the ale house counter and received a drink which truly made him forget his dead child, his wife, himself, heaven, hell and all.
When he became sober the coin was again found in his pocket. He again threw it away, and several times thereafter, but always found it in his pocket when searching it for money. So he continued to drink more and more daily, until, finally, he drank himself into that sleep that knows no waking.
So goes the story of Pelle Katt and the Trolls in Skurugata.
1 Skurugata is a street-like chasm cut through one of the granite mountains situated in the parish of Eksjö, in width about twenty-five feet, with walls of rock on either side rising precipitously to the height of 130 feet, and in length about a quarter of a Swedish mile—one and one-half English miles. That the fertile fancies of the people have made this wild place the resort of Trolls and other supernatural beings is not surprising. Above the cliff lies a rock called Skuruhatt, by the side of which is an opening into the mountain, called Sacristian, where the heathens are said to have made offerings to their gods. ↑
Story DNA
Moral
Those who mock and harm supernatural beings, especially out of malice or recklessness, will face dire and inescapable consequences, often leading to their own downfall.
Plot Summary
When the arrogant hunter Pelle Katt curses the Trolls of Skurugata after a failed hunt, a Troll woman appears, tricking him into shooting what turns out to be his own child, disguised as a poodle. Horrified, Pelle is given a cursed dollar coin by the Troll, which, despite his attempts to discard it, always reappears in his pocket. This coin fuels his growing alcoholism, leading him to drink himself to death as an inescapable retribution for his cruelty and disrespect towards the supernatural beings.
Themes
Emotional Arc
arrogance to despair to self-destruction
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story reflects a period when belief in supernatural beings like Trolls was still prevalent in rural Scandinavian folklore, alongside the gradual decline of such beliefs due to 'increasing intelligence' (enlightenment/modernization).
Plot Beats (15)
- Trolls, displaced by humans building Eksjö, move to the secluded mountain chasm of Skurugata.
- Human military exercises in Skurugata disturb the Trolls, raising questions about their continued presence.
- A sacred fountain near Skurugata was historically used for sacrifices, a custom now fading with increasing intelligence.
- Pelle Katt, a boastful and ill-tempered hunter, goes to Skurugata to hunt woodcock but is unsuccessful.
- Pelle curses the Trolls, believing they bewitched his gun, as he passes the mouth of Skurugata.
- A small Troll woman emerges, carrying a poodle, and tells Pelle her mistress wants him to shoot the dog.
- Pelle ties the dog to a tree and shoots it, only to find his own child, wrapped in a dog's hide, lying dead.
- Pelle, horrified and remorseful, cries out to God, realizing the gravity of his deed.
- The Troll woman reappears, throws a dollar coin to Pelle as 'reward,' which sticks to his hand, then takes the dead child away.
- Pelle, enraged, throws the dollar after the Troll woman, refusing payment for such a deed, and hears a hoarse laugh.
- Pelle returns home to his crying wife, but remains silent about the child's disappearance and goes to the ale house.
- Searching for money, Pelle finds the dollar coin in his pocket, uses it to buy brandy, and drinks to forget.
- Despite repeatedly throwing the dollar away, it always reappears in Pelle's pocket, fueling his growing addiction.
- Pelle continues to drink more and more daily, eventually drinking himself to death.
- The story concludes with the moral of Pelle Katt's fate as a consequence of his actions against the Trolls.
Characters
Pelle Katt ★ protagonist
A man of average height and build, likely weathered from a life of hunting and heavy drinking. His complexion might be ruddy from alcohol, and his hands calloused from his trade. He carries himself with a certain bravado, though it is often fueled by drink.
Attire: Practical, sturdy clothing suitable for a hunter in rural Sweden: a thick wool or linen tunic, possibly a leather vest, sturdy breeches, and worn leather boots. Colors would be muted earth tones like greens, browns, and grays. He might wear a simple cap or hat.
Wants: Initially, to hunt and provide, but primarily driven by a desire to escape his sorrows through drink after the tragic incident.
Flaw: His alcoholism, quick temper, and defiance, which lead him to curse the Trolls and ultimately to his self-destruction.
Transforms from a defiant, boisterous drunkard into a guilt-ridden, despairing man who succumbs entirely to alcoholism, leading to his death.
Boisterous, quarrelsome, defiant, superstitious (initially), regretful, self-destructive. He is quick to anger and prone to blaming others.
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged Swedish hunter, full body visible head to toe, facing forward. He has a weathered, ruddy face with a short, unkempt brown beard and bloodshot blue eyes. His brown hair is messy and short. He wears a dark green wool tunic, a worn leather vest, sturdy brown linen breeches, and scuffed leather boots. He holds a long, dark wood hunting rifle loosely in one hand, his posture slightly slumped, with a grim, haunted expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Troll Woman ⚔ antagonist
Small in stature, with peculiar features that mark her as non-human. Her skin might be greyish or earthy, and her limbs slightly disproportionate or gnarled, typical of Scandinavian trolls. She moves with an unnatural swiftness.
Attire: Simple, earthy garments that blend with the mountain environment. Perhaps a rough-spun tunic or dress in muted greens, browns, or grays, possibly adorned with natural elements. Her clothing would appear ancient and durable, not refined.
Wants: To punish Pelle Katt for his curses and encroachment upon the Trolls' territory, and to exact a terrible revenge for his disrespect.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but Trolls are generally vulnerable to human encroachment and loud noises, which is why they moved to Skurugata.
She remains unchanged, serving as an instrument of supernatural justice, delivering a curse that leads to Pelle's downfall.
Vengeful, cunning, stoic, powerful, and somewhat cruel. She acts as an agent of retribution for Pelle's curses.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, peculiar-featured woman, full body visible head to toe, facing forward. She has greyish, craggy skin, deep-set dark eyes, a broad nose, and a wide, thin-lipped mouth. Her dark, coarse hair is wild and matted, reaching her shoulders. She wears a rough, dark green tunic made of thick, homespun wool, cinched at the waist with a simple rope, and dark, sturdy leggings. She holds a small, white poodle dog gently in her arms. Her expression is stoic and unreadable. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Pelle Katt's Child ○ minor
A small, innocent child, initially disguised within the body of a poodle dog. When revealed, it is a human infant or toddler.
Attire: Wrapped in a dog's hide, but presumably wearing simple, warm swaddling clothes or a child's garment underneath, typical of a peasant family in Sweden.
Wants: None, it is a victim of the Troll's revenge.
Flaw: Its vulnerability as a child.
A tragic figure, it is transformed into a dog, killed by its own father, and then taken away by the Troll woman, serving as the catalyst for Pelle's downfall.
Innocent, victimized.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, deceased human child, appearing to be a toddler, lying on the ground, full body visible head to toe. The child has soft, light brown hair and a pale, peaceful face. It is partially wrapped in the shaggy, white fur of a poodle dog's hide, with its small, bare limbs visible. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Skurugata Defile
A deep, street-like chasm cut through a granite mountain, approximately twenty-five feet wide, with precipitous rock walls rising to 130 feet on either side. The bottom is in continual semi-darkness and gloom due to the narrow opening above. The ground is likely rocky and uneven.
Mood: Eerie, secluded, ancient, foreboding, mysterious, a place of hidden power.
The primary dwelling place of the Trolls; where Pelle Katt encounters the Troll woman and shoots his child.
Image Prompt & Upload
A deep, narrow chasm cuts through ancient, grey granite mountains, their sheer, rough-hewn walls rising precipitously on either side, casting the chasm floor into perpetual gloom and semi-darkness. Sparse, hardy moss and lichen cling to the damp rock faces, and scattered, sharp-edged boulders litter the uneven ground. A sliver of pale, overcast sky is visible far above, barely illuminating the depths. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Sacred Fountain near Skurugata
A very sacred fountain located in the neighborhood of the mountain gulch. Implied to be a natural spring or well, possibly with ancient stone markings or offerings around it.
Mood: Ancient, reverent, mystical, quiet, a place of old traditions.
A place of ancient pagan worship and sacrifice to patron saints, reflecting the deep history and spiritual significance of the region.
Image Prompt & Upload
A clear, cold spring bubbles up from moss-covered granite rocks at the base of a dense, ancient Scandinavian forest, with gnarled pine and birch trees. The water collects in a small, still pool, reflecting the muted light filtering through the canopy. Smooth, water-worn stones are arranged around the spring, hinting at centuries of human interaction. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Ale House
A local drinking establishment, likely a simple, rustic tavern common in rural 19th-century Sweden. It would have a counter, wooden tables, and a generally dim, smoky atmosphere.
Mood: Gritty, boisterous, escapist, sorrowful, a place of temporary oblivion.
Pelle Katt repeatedly drowns his sorrows here with the magically reappearing dollar piece, leading to his demise.
Image Prompt & Upload
The interior of a rustic 19th-century Swedish ale house, with rough-hewn timber walls and a low, smoke-stained ceiling. A long, dark wooden counter dominates one side, laden with earthenware tankards and a few scattered coins. Warm, flickering firelight from a stone hearth in the corner casts deep shadows across the simple wooden tables and benches. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
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