1. Once upon a time in Denmark, there was a man named Franz. Franz lived a good life all year long, until one night. That evening, a pack of horrible, badly behaved trolls descended on him. The trolls drove poor Franz from his house and took over the place for the night.
2. This went on for many years on the exact same night every year, until, one year, a famous hunter visited the house the morning of the dreaded night. The hunter had just captured a large, white bear and planned to present it to the king of Denmark. T he hunter had a long journey ahead of him and asked Franz if he and the bear could spend the night.
3. “I would let you stay,” said Franz, “but I can’t, for every year at this time I am visited by trolls at night who drive me out of the house. They will be here tonight and you do not want to be here when they arrive!”
4. “Oh,” said the hunter, “I am not afraid of trolls. If that is all you are worried about, let me stay in the house. The bear can sleep under the stove there. I will sleep in the back, in the comfortable bedroom.”
5. “Very well,” said Franz. “You may stay, at your own risk, but I must get the house ready for the trolls. If I don’t, they will be furious.”
6. Franz worked diligently to get his house ready for the trolls. He chopped wood and built a fire. He set the table with his best dishes and loaded them with porridge, assorted fruit, smoked fish, and delicious sausages. When he was done, he left the hunter and the bear in the house and went to stay with a friend.
7. At sunset, the trolls arrived. They stormed into the house and began a raucous celebration. They ate and drank, sang songs, and made a terrible mess.
8. One of the trolls caught a glimpse of the bear. It was lying under the stove, with only an ear sticking out.
9. “Look!” the troll said, “Franz has a cat!”
10. The troll cut off a bit of sausage and tossed it on the floor. Then, he kicked the bear in the ear and shouted, “Wake up, kitty! Get the sausage!”
11. The bear rose up on its hind legs, ripping the stove away from the floor. The stove was launched across the room. The bear, in a great fury, roared ferociously. The trolls were terrified. They screamed and ran for their lives.
12. Franz returned home the next day. He cleaned up the horrific mess the trolls had made, repaired the stove, and lived another year in his house. When the dreaded evening arrived once again the next year, he expected the trolls to come again. He went out into the yard to cut wood for them.
13. After a few minutes, he heard a voice calling, “Franz! Franz!”
14. Franz squinted into the woods but saw nothing but trees.
15. Then, he heard the voice again say, “Franz! Franz!”
16. “Yes?” Franz said. “What is it?”
17. “Have you still got that huge, ferocious cat?” the voice asked.
18. Franz thought for a minute. Then, he replied.
19. “Yes,” Franz said. “I still have the cat. It is lying under the stove, and, earlier this year, it had seven kittens. Now, all of the kittens have grown up. They are bigger and fiercer than their mother!”
20. “Egad!” said the voice. “Then, you will never see us again!”
21. Franz heard a rustling of feet in the woods. Then, there was silence.
22. After that, Franz went on with his life and the trolls never bothered him again.