Askeladden Who Stole the Troll’s Silver Ducks

Askeladden and his two brothers must find a way to survive after their father dies. The brothers head to the king’s farm for work and leave Askeladden behind, deeming him too stupid to help. Askeladden follows them but takes a huge kneading trough – heavy, but too good to leave behind. Denied work at first, his earnest pleas and good nature win and he is allowed to stay, quickly becoming a favorite. His brothers, jealous of Askeladden’s success, try to make him look bad by telling the king that Askeladden can steal whatever the king wants from the troll across the lake.

Askeladden’s success with each challenge, more ridiculous than the last, surprises them all. He uses the kneading trough as a rowboat. First, he steals the troll’s seven silver ducks, then his quilt of silver and golden squares, and finally the golden harp. With the golden harp, Askeladden almost gets eaten by the troll’s daughter, but he tricks her, kills her, and her father unknowingly eats her for dinner. Askeladden is halfway across the lake in his kneading trough when he hears the troll’s howls of rage. Askeladden rows back to the kingdom, forgives his vindictive brothers, and lives happily ever after.

Tales of the Arctic

Norway

This is the land of wintertime’s Northern Lights and summer’s Midnight Sun. Year-round, our Expedition Teams take you to the most beautiful places, fill you with knowledge, and guide your adventure, whether it’s a walking tour, a hike, a stop in a small town, or a kayak trip in a fjord.

Be on the lookout for trolls wherever you go, from gift shops to rock faces in the sides of mountains. Legend has it that trolls appeared as the first magical audience of the Northern Lights so when you see the aurora dance in the night sky on a winter expedition, you’re likely not the only one watching!

Norway Expedition Cruises

Troll Tidbits

They’re not just cute Pixar characters with neon hair. They come from the fjord-rich landscape that holds many “faces” in its secret caves, mountains, twists, and turns.

The first written troll story appeared in “Edda” in about 1220 but the stories were told for millennia. Asbjørnsen and Moe, similar to the Brothers Grimm, were well known in the 1800s.

Askeladden, aka Ash or Boots, stars in many stories as the unlikely hero who always wins and always kills the troll. The stories may date back to the Vikings.

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Unlock more of Norway’s stories and follow in the footsteps of the great explorers.

Spring Expedition Cruise Norway's Fjords (from Dover)

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Spring Expedition Cruise to Norway's Fjords (from Dover)

Trolls galore on this spring expedition from Dover! With UNESCO sites, tiny fjord communities, mountains, valleys, and the opportunity to see Pulpit Rock, you’re bound to meet trolls. Will Askeladden be there, too?

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Christmas Expedition Cruise (from Dover)

This adventure offers not only the best chance to see the Northern Lights, but even more opportunities to see trolls, as they’re tangled up in aurora folklore, too! Cruise toward the Arctic and check out idyllic island life.

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Explore Other Arctic Tales

Shift your latitude and journey north. Write your own Tale of the Arctic. There's nothing quite like the blue hues of ice, the hum of glaciers, and the thrill of a story. Check out these these stories from other awe-inspiring destinations.