Long ago in Norway there lived a young man named Anders, known throughout the kingdom as the Master Thief. Although he was a thief, his heart was not wicked. He never stole to get rich. He simply enjoyed the challenge of outsmarting complex security systems and proving his exceptional skill. People feared his talent, yet they could not deny that Anders had a brilliant and clever mind.
.png "The Master-Thief (Mester Tyven)")
Eventually his reputation reached both the King and the regional Sheriff. The Sheriff was a greedy and strict man who swore he would capture Anders and punish him severely. When the King heard of Anders’ unusual talent, he summoned the young thief to the palace and gave him a life changing ultimatum. If Anders could complete three impossible thefts chosen by the King, he would be pardoned and offered a respected position at court. If he failed, he would be executed. The King wanted to see whether Anders’ intelligence could serve the kingdom rather than threaten it.
The first challenge was to steal the Sheriff’s prized horse while the Sheriff was sitting on it. Confident that no one could get close, the Sheriff mounted his finest stallion and waited proudly in the open road. Anders knew he could not rely on force. He disguised himself as a frail elderly woman sitting helplessly in the sun. When the Sheriff passed by, Anders pretended to cry in pain, claiming he had broken his hip and begging for help. Moved by sympathy, the Sheriff leaned down to lift the old woman onto the horse. In that instant Anders leaped effortlessly onto the saddle, snapped the reins and galloped away. The Sheriff was left speechless in the middle of the road as Anders delivered the horse straight to the King.
The second challenge was far more difficult. Anders had to steal the blanket from the Sheriff’s bed while the Sheriff and his wife were sleeping under it. The furious Sheriff locked the house, secured every door, and guarded the bedroom with a gun. He even set vicious dogs around the property. Anders approached with patience rather than force. He climbed onto the roof and lowered a thin rope with a metal hook through the chimney. He gently tapped the wall, creating a strange sound. Half asleep, the Sheriff woke up confused. Anders began speaking in a haunting voice, pretending to be a demon. When the Sheriff heard the terrifying words, he panicked and believed he was being punished for his greed. In absolute fear, he threw the blanket out the window and begged the spirit to spare his life. Anders calmly collected the blanket and returned victorious.
The final challenge was the most symbolic and bizarre. The King ordered Anders to steal the remains of the Queen Mother, who had died long ago and was buried in a heavily guarded tomb near the church. Guards watched the tomb day and night. Anders understood that fear and superstition would be more powerful than any lock. He disguised himself as a monk and waited until midnight. From the rooftop he created echoing cries that sounded like sorrowful spirits. The terrified guards shook with dread. Anders lowered a ladder to the tomb and descended slowly, continuing the eerie sounds. The guards, already traumatized by the previous demon incident, became convinced that the ghost of the Queen Mother had risen. They fled without hesitation. With the guards gone, Anders lifted the remains from the tomb and brought them to the palace, placing them on the King’s throne.
The King was astonished. Anders had completed all three impossible tasks without harming anyone and without using violence. His genius, creativity and ability to outthink every obstacle proved that intelligence could be more powerful than force. True to his promise, the King pardoned Anders and rewarded him generously. However, he also offered a wise warning. The King explained that Anders was too talented to remain in the palace, because one day he might accidentally steal the crown itself. Instead he encouraged Anders to use his gifts to live an honest life.
Anders accepted the reward and left the kingdom with a new purpose. He promised to use his remarkable skills for good and never again hide in the shadows. From that day forward, the Master Thief began a new chapter in his life, guided not by mischief but by wisdom and integrity.