"The only gods are our beautiful souls, my daughter. They can never die nor do evil, any more than these gods in whom our old Vikings really believed. The giants are our earthly natures that are constantly trying to make us forget our godlike souls. But we shall conquer them at last, just as the gods always succeeded in mastering the giants, no matter how strong or clever they were." "Didn't it take a long time to do it, papa? The Golden Age didn't last after quarrelling began, did it?" "No. The gods had their troubles and sorrows as well as men. But, as I said before, the gods always ended by being successful." "Are you too tired to tell another story, father? This time I wish we could hear something about the fairies. Won't you tell us about Ashiepattle?" Now Ashiepattle is one of the favourites of all Norse children, and many tales are told of his wonderful deeds. "Which story shall it be?" asked the farmer. "The one about his eating with the troll," cried Mari and Ole, together. Their father laughed. "You are never tired of that, although you are almost a man, Ole. Listen, then, and you shall hear how this brave boy ate with the giant. "Once upon a time there was a man who had three sons. The older boys were idle and lazy and would do no work. Their father was too old and feeble to compel them. He had a fine wood-lot, and he wished them to go out and cut down the trees. Then he would be able to sell lumber and pay his bills; but for a long time the sons gave no heed to his request. "At length, however, they began to listen and think the plan was a good one. The oldest son shouldered his axe and started for the forest. But he had no sooner begun his work upon a big tree, than a troll suddenly appeared at his side. "'That is my tree,' said the troll. 'If you cut it down, I will kill you at once.' "The boy was terribly frightened. And it is scarcely to be wondered at, for the troll was an immense, fierce-looking creature. Dropping his axe, he started for home on the run, and did not stop to look around till he got there. "'You coward,' cried his father when he heard his story. 'When I was a boy no troll was ever able to scare me away from my work.' "'I will go,' said the second son. 'I shall not be afraid, you may believe.' "He started out with a brave heart, and was soon at work in the forest. But his axe had hardly struck the first tree when the troll appeared before him. "'Spare the tree, if you wish me to spare your life,' cried the giant. "The boy did exactly as his brother had done before him. All his bravery disappeared the moment he looked upon the giant. Without stopping a moment he fled for home, and rushed into the house breathless. "'What a foolish, cowardly fellow,' cried his father. 'You are not much like me when I was young. No troll ever drove me away from my work.' "'Let me try, father,' said little Ashiepattle. 'I am not afraid.'