In the parish of Ekshärad lies a mountain, Säljeberg, which was
formerly the dwelling place of Trolls and giants, now exterminated.
Near the mountain dwelt a farmer, on one of the best farms in the
parish. One summer evening he went over his fields admiring the seas of
golden grain and exulting at the abundant harvest promised him.
“God be praised for this crop,” said he. “If I now could have all these
fields harvested by early morning I would give my best cow.”
Hereupon he returned to his home and went to bed. Through the whole
night the noise of reaping was heard in the fields and the Trolls
calling:
“Make bands and bind; let the farmer dry it himself.”
As soon as sunrise the farmer was upon his feet and out into the
fields, where, to his indescribable amazement, he saw them reaped and
the grain lying in bundles upon the ground. Guessing that the Trolls
had had a hand in the work, he sprang to the stable, there to find a
stall empty and his best cow gone.