Long ago, in a wealthy kingdom, there lived a king and his extraordinarily beautiful daughter. The princess had golden hair that shone like sunlight and bright blue eyes like the sky. Despite all the wealth, luxury, and entertainment surrounding her, she carried a deep sadness and had never once smiled. Her father loved her deeply and tried everything to bring her joy. He organized grand feasts, invited musicians and comedians from across the lands, and even bought her the most precious jewels. Yet nothing worked; the princess remained solemn and unmoved. Finally, the aging king made a bold proclamation. “I will marry my daughter to anyone, whether prince or peasant, who can make her laugh.”
The announcement quickly spread throughout the kingdom and beyond. Princes, dukes, and knights from far and wide came to try their luck, but none succeeded. The princess simply looked at them coldly, unaffected by their efforts. In a humble village lived three brothers, poor farmers named Per, Pål, and Espen Askeladd, also known as Espen the Ash Lad. Per and Pål, the elder brothers, were strong and clever and believed they were capable of achieving anything. Espen, the youngest, was often mocked by his brothers because he seemed lazy and spent his time sitting by the fireplace playing with ashes. He was nicknamed “The Ash Lad.”
When the brothers heard about the king’s challenge, Per and Pål decided to set out immediately, mocking Espen as they left. “You, a lazy boy, should stay home playing with ashes. You could never make the princess laugh.” They prepared carefully but ultimately failed, returning home frustrated and defeated. Espen asked for permission to try, and his older brothers laughed in disbelief. “You? That dirty little Ash Lad wants to win the hand of the kingdom’s most beautiful princess?” Espen said nothing and quietly set out on his journey.
Along the way, Espen carefully observed his surroundings and collected seemingly worthless objects. He tended to a wounded bird, picked up a worn-out shoe, salvaged a broken kitchen knife, and carried a warped, rotten plank of wood. When he returned, his brothers mocked him for gathering such items, confident it would do nothing to impress the princess. When Espen arrived at the palace, he wore his tattered clothes and carried his collection of odd items. The king had arranged a large stage outside the princess’s window for the candidates to perform. Espen did not attempt to perform tricks or act foolishly. Instead, he began to carefully construct a small ship using the items he had collected. He used the old shoe as the hull, the warped wooden plank as the sail, and the broken knife as the rudder.
Next, he filled a bucket with water and placed his tiny ship inside, maneuvering it carefully using thin threads. Though the little ship looked clumsy, Espen treated it as though it were the grandest vessel in the world, blowing gently on the sail, pulling the strings, and pretending a fierce storm tossed the ship from side to side. Observers watched in astonishment, convinced the boy was crazy. Then, a delightful accident occurred. As Espen struggled with the toy ship, he slipped, causing his items to scatter. The old shoe flew from his hands and struck Per, who was standing nearby. In that instant, something magical happened. The princess, who had never laughed before, burst into joyous laughter. Her laughter rang through the palace like morning sunlight, bright and full of warmth, breaking her long-standing sadness.
The king was astonished and overjoyed. True to his word, he rewarded Espen, the humble Ash Lad, despite his poor appearance and mocked reputation. Espen married the princess, and through his intelligence, keen observation, and humility, he not only found love but also became the heir to the kingdom. The princess never again wore a sad expression, and her radiant smile remained a constant reflection of the happiness Espen brought into her life. From that day forward, the kingdom celebrated the story of Espen the Ash Lad, a timeless tale demonstrating that cleverness, kindness, and humility can overcome wealth and status, and even bring joy to the saddest hearts.