In the rugged mountains and deep green valleys of Norway, where fjords glisten like mirrors beneath the northern sun, there once lived a poor farmer with three sons. The youngest was known as Ash Lad, or Askeladden in the old tongue, for he was always found sitting among the ashes behind the hearth. His clothes were soot-stained, his hair wild with cinders, and though his brothers mocked him for being idle and foolish, Ash Lad was quiet, observant, and clever in ways they could never see.
Discover the moral heart and wild spirit of the north through timeless Nordic storytelling
One year, a disaster struck the farmer’s land. A great troll who lived in the nearby forest began destroying everything in sight, tearing down fences, stealing hay, and frightening the animals. The king, whose fields suffered the same fate, proclaimed that anyone who could rid the kingdom of this terrible troll would receive a chest of gold and the hand of the princess in marriage.
Eager for glory, the eldest brother set out first. He carried with him a large bundle of food and a shining new sword. “I’ll make short work of that troll,” he boasted, striding confidently into the woods. But when night fell and the mountains echoed with the heavy tread of the troll, the eldest brother’s courage melted away. The troll’s eyes glowed like coals as he thundered, “Who’s that eating my food and trampling my forest?” The brother dropped everything and ran home in terror.
The second brother tried next. He mocked his younger brother and said, “Stay in your ashes, fool. This task is for brave men.” But he, too, met the same fate, fleeing before the monstrous troll could even raise its club.
When it was Ash Lad’s turn, the family laughed. “You, who never lift a finger? You’ll be a troll’s supper before sunset!” But Ash Lad only smiled. He packed a small sack with cheese curds, a worn knife, and an empty goat bladder, and set off at dawn, whistling softly to himself.
The Troll’s Feast
By the time Ash Lad reached the troll’s forest, evening shadows stretched long and blue. He found the troll’s lair, a dark cave beneath a cliff, its entrance lined with bones. But instead of running, Ash Lad lit a small fire and began roasting his cheese curds on a stick, as if he were the master of the place.
Soon, the ground trembled. The troll emerged, towering and ugly, his nose like a crooked tree root, his hair matted with moss. “Who dares roast food on my mountain?” he roared.
“I do,” said Ash Lad calmly. “And if you’re hungry, I’ll share.”
Surprised by the boy’s fearlessness, the troll agreed. “Fine, but let’s see who can eat the most! If you win, you may take what you wish from my cave. If you lose,” he grinned wickedly, “I’ll eat you!”
Ash Lad nodded. As the troll devoured one chunk of cheese after another, Ash Lad secretly filled the goat bladder under his shirt. The troll thought the bulging stomach was real and ate faster, determined not to be outdone. At last, Ash Lad sighed and said, “I can’t eat another bite. I think I’ll cut a hole in my stomach to make room.”
With that, he plunged his knife into the bladder, releasing all the cheese curds. The troll’s eyes widened. “You can do that and live?” he gasped.
“Oh yes,” said Ash Lad. “Try it yourself, it feels wonderful!”
The foolish troll took up his knife and, with one great stab, ended his own gluttony forever.
The Treasure of the Troll
Ash Lad searched the cave and found it piled high with gold and silver, iron tools, and barrels of food. He filled his sack with what he could carry and returned home. His brothers gaped at him in disbelief.
The next morning, he went to the king’s hall and told his story. The king laughed at first, thinking it a tale too tall to be true, but when Ash Lad poured the troll’s gold at his feet, there was no denying his victory. True to his word, the king gave him the promised chest of gold and, in time, the hand of the princess.
The kingdom rejoiced, and the people sang of the clever boy who had outwitted a monster not with strength, but with wit and patience. From that day on, Ash Lad was no longer mocked as the fool of the ashes. He became a man of honour and a legend of Norway’s northern lands.
Discover the moral heart and wild spirit of the north through timeless Nordic storytelling
Moral Lesson
The story of The Ash Lad and the Troll’s Feast reminds us that true strength lies not in might or wealth, but in intelligence, courage, and humility. Clever thinking and calm resolve can overcome even the greatest of threats.
Knowledge Check
- Who is the main character in “The Ash Lad and the Troll’s Feast”?
The main character is Ash Lad, also known as Askeladden, the youngest son of a poor farmer. - What challenge does Ash Lad face in the story?
He must outsmart and defeat a terrifying troll that threatens the kingdom. - How does Ash Lad trick the troll during their eating contest?
He secretly fills a goat bladder under his shirt and pretends to cut open his stomach to make room for more food. - What does the troll symbolize in this Norwegian folktale?
The troll represents greed, ignorance, and brute strength, qualities that fail against intelligence and cunning. - What reward does Ash Lad receive for defeating the troll?
He wins a chest of gold and marries the king’s daughter, earning honour and respect. - What is the moral lesson of “The Ash Lad and the Troll’s Feast”?
The story teaches that wisdom and courage often triumph over physical power and pride.
Cultural Origin: Norwegian folktale, collected by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe in Norske Folkeeventyr (19th century).
Source: Adapted from The Ash Lad and the Eating Contest with the Troll, as found in Norske Folkeeventyr, Asbjørnsen & Moe (1840s).
