Long ago, there were three farmer brothers named Per, Pål, and Espen Askeladden, also known as Espen the Ash Lad. The two older brothers often mocked Espen for being lazy, spending his days sitting by the fireplace playing with ashes. Despite their scorn, Espen remained calm and observant, quietly learning from the world around him. One day, Per and Pål ventured deep into the king’s ancient forest to chop wood, a place few dared to enter. While working, a giant, terrifying Troll appeared, its eyes bulging and roar echoing through the trees. It shouted that the forest belonged to it and threatened to eat them. Terrified, Per and Pål dropped their axes and ran home, trembling as they recounted the encounter to Espen.
Hearing their story, Espen smiled and said, "There is nothing to fear. I will go and see for myself." His brothers laughed and mocked him. “You? Weak and dirty, daring to face a giant Troll? It will swallow you in one bite!” Espen did not respond. Instead, he prepared a simple plan, taking an old axe and a large piece of white cheese, hiding them in his bag before heading into the forest alone.
When Espen reached the clearing, the Troll appeared again, furious at this small intruder. It threatened to eat him, but Espen remained calm and boldly replied, "Eat me? You cannot. I am Askeladden, the strongest here! You are not big enough to scare me, foolish Troll!" The Troll, enraged, challenged him to a contest, threatening to devour him if he failed. Espen accepted immediately, knowing he could not match the Troll in brute strength but trusting in his intelligence.
The contest began with a porridge-eating challenge. The Troll devoured spoonful after spoonful, confident in its strength. Espen ate slowly, secretly executing his plan: he poured the porridge into a hidden bag under his shirt, making it appear as though he was eating normally. When the Troll finished, Espen pretended to cut open the bag, making it seem like porridge was spilling from his belly. The Troll, foolish and unable to recognize the trick, believed Espen had created more space in his stomach. Attempting to imitate him, the Troll cut into its own belly, instantly writhing in pain and collapsing dead.
With the Troll defeated, Espen claimed all its treasures, including gold, silver, and jewels, and returned home triumphantly. Per and Pål were astonished to see their youngest brother, whom they had always underestimated, come back unharmed and wealthy. Espen’s cleverness, courage, and resourcefulness had triumphed over the Troll’s brute force. The story demonstrates that intelligence and wit can overcome sheer strength, and that humility, clever thinking, and practical wisdom often lead to the greatest victories.