123] In some legends the
Trolls are represented as an ancient race of beings now superseded by
the human race. "'What sort of an earth-worm is this?' said one Giant to
another, when they met a man as they walked. 'These are the earth-worms
that will one day eat us up, brother,' answered the other; and soon
both Giants left that part of Germany." "'See what pretty playthings,
mother!' cries the Giant's daughter, as she unties her apron, and shows
her a plough, and horses, and a peasant. 'Back with them this instant,'
cries the mother in wrath, 'and put them down as carefully as you can,
for these playthings can do our race great harm, and when these come we
must budge.'" Very naturally the primitive Teuton, possessing already
the conception of night-demons, would apply it to these men of the
woods whom even to this day his uneducated descendants believe to be
sorcerers, able to turn men into wolves. But whatever contributions
historical fact may have added to his character, the Troll is originally
a creation of mythology, like Polyphemos, whom he resembles in his
uncouth person, his cannibal appetite, and his lack of wit. His ready
gullibility is shown in the story of "Boots who ate a Match with the
Troll." Boots, the brother of Cinderella, and the counterpart alike
of Jack the Giant-killer, and of Odysseus, is the youngest of three
brothers who go into a forest to cut wood. The Troll appears and
threatens to kill any one who dares to meddle with his timber. The elder
brothers flee, but Boots puts on a bold face. He pulled a cheese out of
his scrip and squeezed it till the whey began to spurt out. "Hold your
tongue, you dirty Troll," said he, "or I'll squeeze you as I squeeze
this stone." So the Troll grew timid and begged to be spared, [124] and
Boots let him off on condition that he would hew all day with him.
They worked till nightfall, and the Troll's giant strength accomplished
wonders. Then Boots went home with the Troll, having arranged that he
should get the water while his host made the fire. When they reached the
hut there were two enormous iron pails, so heavy that none but a Troll
could lift them, but Boots was not to be frightened. "Bah!" said he. "Do
you suppose I am going to get water in those paltry hand-basins? Hold
on till I go and get the spring itself!" "O dear!" said the Troll, "I'd
rather not; do you make the fire, and I'll get the water." Then when the
soup was made, Boots challenged his new friend t