Trolls

Norwegian trolls are thought by many to be mythical creatures - something I assumed invented in the mind of a great storyteller from centuries past.  As many ancient creatures go, it morphs over time until everyone has their own take on what it looks like, where it lives, and what it does.

Most all of Norway is in agreement that trolls are ugly, hate “Christians,” only come out at night, turn to stone if touched by daylight, never do anyone any good and have “magical” powers.  Legends around Norway exist where peculiar rocks (left by receding glaciers) are thought to be what’s left of a troll who didn’t make it back into its mountain home before daybreak.

Near the coast of Norway, a particular tuft of small reed grass grows and if it’s in the middle of the path and gets stepped on, it looks an awful lot like the top of a bald headed man.  This grass is related to stories of trolls in that region, as it’s thought trolls hide under them and one never knows when they will pop up and do harm.

My first childhood “encounter” with a troll was through the Norwegian fairytale “Three Billy Goats Gruff” where the troll lives under a bridge and wants to eat the goats crossing overhead.  I also had a troll doll when I was growing up – never giving a second thought to what’s really behind their legend.

Many of the most popular touristy items in Norway have images of trolls on them, as if they are almost cute, harmless, storybook characters, but the native Norwegians don’t see them that way at all.  Many Norwegians believe they are real and people I know have actually seen them.  This puts them in a whole different light.

Stories linger throughout the land of times when community churches were being built and a “troll” hurled a large boulder down from the mountain, trying to destroy it.  They are genuinely feared creatures, and not just by children.  A major motion picture even tried to capture the fascination Norwegians feel for them in the movie “Troll Hunter.”  They are nothing to be messed with.  Behind all the legends, myths and storybook images, it seems fairly well accepted in Norwegian society that trolls are actually visible evil spirits or demons. 

I know a few Americans that have received much needed help in a moment of desperation, and they were sure, when the event had passed, that their help came from an angel, looking a lot like a person with skin on.  Sadly, I haven’t ever heard stories like that in Norway, but I have heard just the opposite.   It seems the spiritual world there, is not so kind.