"Enkesonnen", the original Norwegian version of the folk tale "Widow's son" (Motif AT 314: The Youth Transformed to a Horse)

A boy becomes a servant in a devil's/ogre's house, and is forbidden to enter certain chambers. The boy disobeys and discovers curious things: a stick, a bottle of water, a stone etc. In the last chamber he finds a magic horse/donkey, which helps him to flee. The devil pursues them, but as he approaches the boy throws the magic objects behind him. They become obstacles and stop the devil. The boy covers his golden hair with a wig, saying he has a scald head, and takes service at a king's court as a gardener. The princess falls in love with him, and they are punished. With the magic horse's help he displays his prowess in battle to the king, but remains unknown until after the third day. He marries the princess, the horse begs to be decapitated, and is transformed into a prince.

References

Norwegian text:
Norsk Eventyrbibliotek Vol. 2, p. 136ff. Det Norske Samlaget, Oslo 1969.

English translation:
Dasent, George Webbe: "Popular tales from the Norse", Page 328ff. Edmonston and Douglas, Edinburgh 1862.

Collector: Jorgen Moe
Date: 1838
Location: Buskerud, Hole, Ringerike

Source information

"Widow's Son", English translation of the Norwegian Folk Tale "Enkesonnen" (Motif AT 314: The Youth Transformed to a Horse)

A boy becomes a servant in a devil's/ogre's house, and is forbidden to enter certain chambers. The boy disobeys and discovers curious things: a stick, a bottle of water, a stone etc. In the last chamber he finds a magic horse/donkey, which helps him to flee. The devil pursues them, but as he approaches the boy throws the magic objects behind him. They become obstacles and stop the devil. The boy covers his golden hair with a wig, saying he has a scald head, and takes service at a king's court as a gardener. The princess falls in love with him, and they are punished. With the magic horse's help he displays his prowess in battle to the king, but remains unknown until after the third day. He marries the princess, the horse begs to be decapitated, and is transformed into a prince.

Reference

Norwegian text:
Norsk Eventyrbibliotek Vol. 2, p. 136ff. Det Norske Samlaget, Oslo 1969.

English translation:
Dasent, George Webbe: "Popular tales from the Norse", Page 328ff. Edmonston and Douglas, Edinburgh 1862.

Collector: Jorgen Moe
Date: 1838
Location: Buskerud, Hole, Ringerike

Source information

"Hvorfor Bjornen er stubbrumpet", the original Norwegian version of the folk tale "Why the bear is stumpy-tailed" (Motif AT 2: The Tail-Fisher)

The bear is persuaded to fish with his tail through a hole in the ice and gets it frozen fast. He tries to get free, and loses his tail.

References

Norwegian text:
Asbjornsen & Moe: Norske Folke-eventyr Vol. 1, 7th edition, p. 98f. Aschehoug & Co, Kristiania 1904.

English translation:
Dasent, George Webbe: "Popular tales from the Norse", Page 189f. Edmonston and Douglas, Edinburgh 1862.

Collector: Jorgen Moe
Date: ca. 1840
Location: Buskerud, Ringerike

Source information

"Why the bear is stumpy-tailed", English translation of the Norwegian Folk Tale "Hvorfor bjornen er stubbrumpet" (Motif AT 2: The Tail-Fisher)

The bear is persuaded to fish with his tail through a hole in the ice and gets it frozen fast. He tries to get free, and loses his tail.

References

Norwegian text:
Asbjornsen & Moe: Norske Folke-eventyr Vol. 1, 7th edition, p. 98f. Aschehoug & Co, Kristiania 1904.

English translation:
Dasent, George Webbe: "Popular tales from the Norse", Page 189f. Edmonston and Douglas, Edinburgh 1862.

Collector: Jorgen Moe
Date: ca. 1840
Location: Buskerud, Ringerike

Source information