I had lost myself in the forest. I couldn’t find my way home. Three times, a stranger came along and offered to show me the way out if I would give him the first thing that came out to greet me when I returned. The first couple of times he made his offer, I thought,...
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Giant Friend
Themes: Compensation | Employment | Nourishment
One day when my friend and I came into the castle, I smelled a man. It's a distinct odor that some giants find appetizing. We found him in the treasure room, filling his little coat with pieces of gold. "Let's cook him for supper," said my friend. But he was a scrawny...
Lion Prince
Themes: Compensation | Loss
During the day I took my rest under a tree in the forest and listened to the lark sing. No one in the world was dearer to me than the lark. Then one day, a man and his servant came along. They saw the lark sitting at the top of the tree, and the man told his servant...
Demanding Beast
Themes: Compensation | Retribution
The man had come my castle out of a brutal winter storm. Cold, lost, and hungry, he found himself in a wondrous blossoming avenue. He found shelter for his horse. He came into the castle, ate a fine meal, and slept in a comfortable bed. He never met his host, but he...
Slaughterer
Themes: Compensation | Secrecy
I just follow orders, so I ain't gonna give any thought to the fact that I have to slaughter this perfectly good horse. Then the goose girl comes along and gives me a golden coin. She wants me to nail the head of the horse to the bridge gate after I'm done killing it....
Ugly Old Woman
Themes: Admiration | Compensation | Reciprocity
I never met such a happy man! He came boldly into the forest, whistling, and oh, he had the merriest, lightest gait. "Good day," I said, and I asked for something to eat. After he gave me the contents of his pockets, I gave him the contents of my own—that is, the...
Orphan Herd-Boy
Themes: Compensation | Gratitude | Hunger
I was sitting with my flocks one night when I heard the sound of crying. I got up and followed the sound, and what did I find but a giant who had hurt his foot trying to uproot an oak. He wanted me to bind his foot, and I did, and now he has rewarded me in the most...
Princess Freed from Dragons
Themes: Compensation | Freedom | Friendship | Gratitude
Nine draken kept me prisoner in my castle, but Janni has come, and his dogs have slain the dragons. I am free, along with all the other prisoners! I would marry this handsome youth who comes from nowhere, but Janni has put me off. He says, "For the kindness that I...
Poor Knight Rosald
Themes: Compensation | Humility | Invisibility
My father is a poor knight with a great many children, and we have never had enough to eat. One day, I went to town to do some business, and I met Geirald, the son of a rich man. We got along very well, and he proposed that we should travel together. I said, "There is...