Long ago, there were three farmer brothers named Per, Pål, and Espen Askeladden, also known as Espen the Ash Lad. Their father, a poor farmer, decided it was time for his sons to learn a trade and earn their own living. He gave each of them a small sum of money and sent them out into the world. Per, the eldest, chose carpentry, confident in his cleverness. Pål, the second eldest, chose tailoring, believing his hands were skilled. Espen, the youngest, was mocked as lazy and foolish by his brothers, but he insisted on learning a trade as well.
After spending a year learning their crafts, Per returned home first, bringing with him a magical table. He proudly explained its power: by saying, “Table, lay yourself!” the table would instantly cover itself with a white cloth and serve the finest dishes and best wines. Excited to show off, Per stopped at an inn on the way home. The innkeeper, a greedy and cunning man, secretly swapped Per’s magical table with an ordinary wooden one while he slept. When Per finally reached home and tried to use the table, nothing happened. His parents were disappointed.
Some weeks later, Pål returned home, having completed his tailoring apprenticeship. He brought a magical donkey that could produce gold when commanded with the words, “Donkey, make gold!” Like his brother, Pål proudly stopped at the same inn to show off his gift. That night, the greedy innkeeper again played a trick, swapping the magical donkey with a normal one. When Pål tried to command the donkey, it only brayed, leaving his parents disappointed for the second time.
Finally, Espen Askeladden returned home, carrying only a simple wooden cudgel. Having heard of the innkeeper’s trickery, Espen chose to keep his gift secret. When he stopped at the same inn, the innkeeper, seeing nothing valuable, mocked him. Espen pretended to be naïve and said, “This cudgel is very special. If anyone tries to steal it, I only need to say ‘Cudgel, come forth!’ and it will strike the thief until he cannot move.” Greedy and eager, the innkeeper decided he wanted the cudgel, hoping it would help him keep the other magical items he had stolen.
That night, when the innkeeper tried to steal Espen’s cudgel, Espen leapt up and shouted, “Cudgel, come forth!” The wooden cudgel sprang to life, attacking the innkeeper until he begged for mercy. Espen refused to stop until the innkeeper confessed to his misdeeds and returned both the magical table and the golden donkey.
Espen returned home triumphant, carrying all three magical gifts: the self-setting table, the gold-producing donkey, and the protective cudgel. Per and Pål, who had always mocked him, had to acknowledge Espen’s cleverness and wisdom. Thanks to Espen’s intelligence, caution, and resourcefulness, the family lived a comfortable and happy life, never worrying about food or wealth again.