Hildur, Queen of the Elves and Other Stories: Icelandic FolktalesOut of the country’s fascinating geography and history emerge a plethora of poetic and imaginative Icelandic legends that hold a particular wary respect of nature, and a wry wisdom at turns gentle and sharp: that we human beings are mere tenants on earth, with no control over weather or ghosts or wild. On the one hand, these stories come out of the great wellspring of Scandinavian tales that have so influenced the Western imagination: Here are elves and trolls, ghosts, goblins, and monsters; drama and mystery and moral. But Iceland’s particular geography, its long nights and savage weather, also led to the development of a unique oral tradition, from which grew the famous Icelandic family sagas and stories. |
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Page 68
... father of this child is and whether it has been baptized ? " The youth swore he did not know the child or the father . “ Why would I care if this child is baptized ? ” he said . “ Christen it or drown it . Whatever you think best . The ...
... father of this child is and whether it has been baptized ? " The youth swore he did not know the child or the father . “ Why would I care if this child is baptized ? ” he said . “ Christen it or drown it . Whatever you think best . The ...
Page 169
... father's blessing , accepted his proposal . When Árni's father heard about his son's decision to marry , he said to him , sadly , " The girl is beautiful and a good match for you . But somehow , my heart is full of doubt over this union ...
... father's blessing , accepted his proposal . When Árni's father heard about his son's decision to marry , he said to him , sadly , " The girl is beautiful and a good match for you . But somehow , my heart is full of doubt over this union ...
Page 263
... father . A smile , as bright as a ray of sunshine , spread across Jón's face . He jumped up and ran to the door . The moment the little girl saw him , she fell into his open arms and wrapped hers tightly around his neck . She kissed his ...
... father . A smile , as bright as a ray of sunshine , spread across Jón's face . He jumped up and ran to the door . The moment the little girl saw him , she fell into his open arms and wrapped hers tightly around his neck . She kissed his ...
Contents
Introduction by Terry Gunnell | 1 |
The Origin of the Hidden People | 29 |
The Grateful ElfWoman | 35 |
Copyright | |
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álfar Alvör animal Árni Arnór arrived Ása asked Based on Jón beautiful became began begged bishop Björn bridle Búkolla bull chest child Christmas Eve church cliffs dead decided Devil disappeared door Eiríkur elf-woman elves farm farmer farmhouse father fell finished frightened Geirlaug ghost girl grabbed greeted Grettis saga Grímsey Grýla Gudrún Hálfdán hand happened haunted heard Hildur horse huldufólk husband Icelandic legends Jón Árnason Jón Sigurðsson journey Katla knew Kráka Kristján Lagarfljót later lived Loftur magic magician Magnús Már merchant merman Móri morning mother mountain named never night old woman passed priest quickly replied returned home Reykjavík river rock Sæmundur scythe Selsmóri Selur shepherd Sigrídur Sigurður Nordal Skálholt sleep spirit Stapi stay Stokkseyri story strange summer Sveinn tell Thorgardur Thorgeir told travelled troll turned walked watched water horse winter words young