Askeladden and the Troll
Read how Askeladden outwits a troll in this Norwegian folktale for children, with cultural background and three reading levels.
- Region
- Norway (Østlandet)
- Category
- Folk & Fairy Tales
- Ages
- 4–12, with three reading levels (ages 4–6, 7–9 and 10–12)
- Languages
- English, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish
About the legend
- Being
- Troll
- Cultural meaning
- Trolls in Norwegian folklore are enormous, dim-witted creatures that inhabit mountains, forests, and remote wilderness. They represent the untamed natural world and the challenges of life in a rugged landscape. In folk tales, trolls are almost always outsmarted by clever humans — reflecting the Norwegian belief that wit and ingenuity can overcome even the most overwhelming obstacles. Trolls cannot stand sunlight in many stories, which symbolizes knowledge and truth dispelling ignorance and fear.
- Fun fact
- Askeladden is Norway's most famous folk hero! He appears in so many stories that Norwegian children grow up hearing his name. His name means 'the Ash Lad' because he always sat by the fireplace poking at the ashes — but he always turned out to be the cleverest one in the family!
About this retelling
Traditional tale, retold for children A retelling of the classic Norwegian folk tale of Askeladden, who outwits a troll with cleverness instead of strength.
Askeladden and the troll-outwitting motif come from Norwegian folk tales collected by Asbjørnsen and Moe. Scenes and dialogue are adapted for young readers.
Sources
- Norske Folkeeventyr — Peter Christen Asbjørnsen & Jørgen Moe
- Folktales of Norway — Reidar Th. Christiansen (translated by Pat Shaw Iversen)
Themes
- cleverness
- resourcefulness
- courage
- humility
- Askeladden
- Ash Lad
- troll
- folk tale
- Norway
- Østlandet
- Asbjørnsen & Moe
- youngest brother
- eating contest
- cleverness
- Norwegian folklore
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