Terrible Olli

Terrible Olli tells the story of a trio of brothers who are cajoled by their farmer father to raid the home of a neighboring Troll and drive him away. After an initial visit by all three where they narrowly escape with their lives, only the youngest son, Olli, continues the quest.

First, Olli steals the Troll’s magical horse with silver and gold hair, by tricking the Troll’s wife. On the next visit, he steals the Troll’s money bag, followed by a gold and silver coverlet. When he is captured while attempting to steal a golden bell, he is readied for roasting while the Troll invites company over for dinner (which is Olli). Olli tricks the Troll’s wife, and she ends up becoming the main course in his stead.

The Troll and his guests feast, believing the main course is the troublesome Finn, Olli. When the Troll’s knife strikes a bead left from his wife’s necklace, he realizes the truth. Trolls are a pragmatic lot, and they finish their meal since nothing could be done.

The next day, the Troll calls across the water to Olli, asking about the golden bell and whether that was indeed his wife Olli had roasted the day before. Olli tricks the Troll into looking directly at the rising sun, and as is the way of Trolls, he simply burst!

No other Trolls dared to settle on that side of the mountain. The legend of Terrible Olli kept them away.

Jay Van Everen illustrated the magical horse, the first of Olli’s brazen thefts from the Troll.