The Giant of Lake Esrum

 


The Giant of Lake Esrum

Long ago, near the shores of Lake Esrum in Denmark, there lived a kind but timid farmer named Anders. Anders worked tirelessly on his small farm, but no matter how hard he toiled, his crops would wither, and his animals grew weak. The villagers whispered that the land was cursed by a giant who lived in the depths of the lake.

The giant, known as Grøhmand, was said to rise from the lake at midnight, stomping through the fields and demanding offerings of gold and food. Any villager who refused to pay his price would find their land barren and their homes mysteriously destroyed.

One fateful night, as Anders sat by his fire, he heard a deep rumbling voice echo through the air. It was Grøhmand, the giant, calling from the lake. "Farmer, tomorrow I will come for your offering. If you cannot pay, your land will suffer as the others have."

Anders was filled with despair—he had nothing to give. But as he wept, an old woman appeared at his door. She was a wandering wise woman, known for her wisdom and knowledge of the old ways.

“Why do you cry, farmer?” she asked.

Anders told her of the giant’s threat and his empty pockets. The wise woman thought for a moment, then handed him a small pouch filled with seeds.

“Take these seeds and plant them at the edge of the lake,” she instructed. “When the giant comes, offer him what grows. But remember: you must face him with courage, for the seeds alone will not save you.”

The next morning, Anders did as he was told. He planted the seeds by the lake and, to his astonishment, they grew instantly into a field of golden flowers, shimmering in the sunlight. That night, as the clock struck midnight, Grøhmand rose from the lake. His massive figure loomed over the fields, and his voice bellowed, “Farmer, where is my offering?”

Anders, trembling, pointed to the field of golden flowers. “This is all I have to offer, mighty giant.”

The giant reached out to touch the flowers, but as soon as his hand brushed a petal, a blinding light erupted. The flowers began to sing—a haunting, beautiful melody that echoed across the lake. Grøhmand roared in pain and fury, clutching his ears.

“What magic is this?” he cried.

Anders, realizing the flowers were weakening the giant, stood tall and said, “It is the magic of this land and its people. You will torment us no longer!”

The giant stumbled back toward the lake, his enormous feet sinking into the ground as if the earth itself was pulling him down. With one final roar, he disappeared beneath the water, never to be seen again.

The villagers rejoiced when they heard the tale, and Anders became a hero. The golden flowers continued to bloom by the lake, a reminder of the farmer’s courage and the magic that had protected the land.

From that day on, Lake Esrum became a place of beauty and peace, free from the shadow of the giant.

Moral of the Tale

This story reflects the Danish values of courage, cleverness, and the belief in the power of nature to protect and heal. It also emphasizes standing up to challenges, even when they seem insurmountable.

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