Helga

“Helga.” Icelandic Fairy Tales, Mrs. A. W. Hall, London: Frederick Warne and Company, 1897, pp. 35-45. 

Tale Summary An old man has three daughters. The eldest two are vain, and selfish, and do not help with the housework, the youngest (Helga) is the most beautiful and selfless and serves the whole family. When their fire goes out one night, the first two sisters are sent in...

Three sons

“The Legend of the King’s Three Sons.” Icelandic Fairy Tales, Mrs. A. W. Hall, London: Frederick Warne and Company, 1897, pp. 11-34.

Tale Summary A king adopts a beautiful girl for his daughter. When she grows up, all three of his sons want her hand in marriage. He sets out a test to determine who will wed the girl, Isolde. Whoever brings back the most unusual thing from foreign lands will win...

Thornstein

“Thorstein.” Icelandic Fairy Tales, Mrs. A. W. Hall, London: Frederick Warne and Company, 1897, pp. 46-72.

Tale Summary Thorstein is a prince and is too kind. After his parents die he spends the entire kingdom’s budget on charity for people who don’t deserve it and everybody is miserable. He barters his kingdom away and leaves. On his journey, he encounters a farmer who is digging up...