Norse Folk Tales
Norwegian wonder tales and Norse myths share this browsing collection, from trolls and enchanted castles to the adventures of gods and giants. The folktales include Asbjørnsen and Moe’s collection in George Webbe Dasent’s English translation; the myths draw on separate literary sources identified on their pages.
These are different kinds of stories, with different endings and audiences. Check the source and reading guidance for the particular tale.
26 stories are in this collection right now.
Browse by region: Europe.
Norse Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Three Princesses of Whiteland
A fisherman unknowingly promises his unborn son to a head that rises from the sea, and years later a runaway boat carries the boy off to Whiteland.
Norse Folk Tales
The Widow’s Son
A poor widow’s son goes to work for a stranger who forbids him four rooms, and behind the last door he finds a black horse fed on burning coals.
Norse Folk Tales
The Three Princesses in the Blue Mountain
Three princesses who must never step outside before they turn fifteen slip into the garden on a sunny day, and a sudden snowdrift sweeps them off.
Norse Folk Tales
Ages 3-5
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Three billy goats, all named Gruff, want to reach the sweet grass up the hill, but first they have to cross a bridge with a hungry troll living under it.
Norse Folk Tales
The Lassie and Her Godmother
A kind and beautiful lady raises a poor couple’s daughter but forbids her to open three rooms in her house, and one by one the girl cannot resist.
Norse Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Princess on the Glass Hill
Every Midsummer Night something eats a farmer’s meadow bare, and only Boots, the youngest son, is brave enough to stay in the shaking barn and find out what.
Norse Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Lad Who Went to the North Wind
When the North Wind blows away his poor mother’s flour three times running, a stubborn boy sets off on a long walk to the North Wind’s house to get it back.
Norse Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Husband Who Was to Mind the House
A grumpy husband who thinks his wife never does anything right agrees to swap jobs for a day, but the housework soon turns into one disaster after another.
Norse Folk Tales
Ages 6-8
The Cat on the Dovrefell
A traveler leading a great white bear to the King of Denmark asks for shelter on Christmas Eve, the one night a whole pack of trolls always comes to feast.
Norse Folk Tales
Ages 9-12
The Giant Who Had No Heart in His Body
Boots sets out to find his missing brothers; animal helpers and a captive princess lead him to the hidden egg containing a giant’s heart.
Norse Folk Tales
The Blue Belt
A beggar woman’s little boy secretly picks up a blue belt lying where two paths meet, and as soon as he ties it on, he feels strong enough to lift a hill.
Norse Folk Tales
Prince Lindworm
A childless queen is told to eat only one of two magic roses, but she eats both, and years later a great serpent blocks her son’s road demanding a bride.