Halvar's house

adaptation of a Swedish folk tale

In the high hills of Sweden there is a big empty house, built with stones of very strange shapes. The people in the neighborhood call her “children's playhouse”, because it has been the favorite playground of children for many years, more than any living person can remember. How did the house get there ?

Some say that, Many years ago, belonged to a giant named Halvar, a very unusual giant: the only poor giant that ever existed. Halvar was poor because he was always giving away things. This made him happy, and all those who knew him, they appreciated him.

On sunny days, Halvar would sit on a huge rock outside his house and talk to the people who passed by., road to the city that was in the valley.

Some day, Halvar saw a stranger approaching, carrying a cow with him.. What a cow! The poor thing was just skin and bones, and its owner didn't seem much better. Halvar did not recall seeing a worse-looking couple.

The stranger smiled at Halvar.

-Good Morning, sir, he said sadly, Could you tell me if i'm okay to go to valley city?

-Yes, This is the way, ”Halvar replied.. Are you going to the market to sell your cow?

"Yes," he answered.. My wife and I bought a small farm. The cow was included. You can see what a bag of old bones the poor thing is. Maybe I can change it for flour.

“Things have gone very bad for us; my wife and I have not eaten anything good for months. Our chickens don't lay eggs. Weeds grow in fields so fast I can't cut it, and drown the wheat; For this, we barely have any flour to make a slice of bread.

“But I better go to the market. Will now be full. Maybe

be lucky and can change this beast that is of no use to me.”

The peasant saluted, reaching out to his straw hat, and started walking.

"Wait a minute," said Halvar.. Would you like to trade your cow for seven fat goats ?

The peasant couldn't believe his ears.

"You don't seem richer than me," he commented.. Why are you going to give me seven goats for one bony cow?

"I like you," Halvar continued., and i want to help you. Leave the cow in your pen and tomorrow morning you will find seven fat goats in its place.

The peasant began to suspect. I've never seen such generosity. But the cow was causing him more trouble than it was worth, so he decided to try his luck.

So, the farmer went home and put the cow in the corral. He was up most of the night and tossing and turning in bed.

"What a fool I was to listen to the giant! —He lamented— When the morning comes, the cow will be gone, the corral will be empty and i will be poorer than ever.

Al alba, got up, dressed quickly and ran to the stable. Open the door. Yes, the cow was gone. But in their place were seven fat goats, the best the farmer could ever see.

Since that day, the farmer's luck began to change. The goats gave a lot of milk, enough to drink, and the leftover turned into cheese. The farmer sold the cheeses in the market and the money was used to buy chickens and hens. The chickens laid eggs for the farmer and his wife, and those that were left were sold in the market; and with the money they bought beautiful dresses. And best of all, the goats ate the weeds in the fields, And so the wheat grew tall and strong. There was enough wheat to obtain the flour that the farmer and his wife needed to knead all the loaves they wanted.. The peasant sold bread in the market and bought new furniture. Over time, the peasant and his wife were so rich that they forgot they had been poor. And they also forgot about poor Halvar, the giant.

One day, the peasant was going to the city to meet with the mayor. The farmer was then a very important man.

He casually passed in front of Halvar's gate. This time, the peasant was riding on a beautiful brown horse.

-My friend! Cried Halvar.. You do not remember me? Stand up and stay to eat. I would like to talk to you.

The peasant was impatient to continue on his way.

-Of course I remember you, but I can't waste time now! He said angrily.. I have more important things to do than chat with those who have no other job than to sit in the sun all day. I'll give you advice. If you have too much to eat, save the leftovers for the next day. So, you will be as rich and important as me. And now, goodbye!

Halvar watched the peasant and his horse gallop away from sight.. The sun shined, but Halvar felt so sad that he entered the house and closed the door.

Suddenly, Halvar smiled: “No see why do I have to be sad just because some don't know how to accept good luck, he thought.. I am happy helping people and I will keep giving things away until I have nothing left to give.” He left, sat in the sun and talked to people and felt happier than ever.

Maybe because of this, the house where he lived, Up there, in the hills of sweden, she was always full of good humor and happiness. And maybe for this, in the course of years, the boys think that Halvar's house is a good place to play.