There has been an interesting development of late...some of my new creations and ones from years ago are auditioning, for a Jolasveinar representative in other countries besides Iceland. Needless to say the Jolasveinar don't like this idea at all. Listen in on this conversation between the Little Prince and Stekkjastaur.
Little Prince: I am here to audition for the part of Stekkjastaur. I have traveled the world over.
Stekkjastaur: Being a world traveler is not a qualification for my job. You have to like ewes milk and have stiff legs...where are your legs by the way.
Little Prince: I think I have legs...hmmmmm!!!...I know I like milk.
Stekkjastaur: Having legs is definitely a qualification...remember my name is Stekkjastaur which refers to my aching and stiff legs.
Stekkjastaur continues: I am not looking for a representative anyway...Do they have Icelandic ewes in other lands? I only drinks Icelandic ewe milk.
Little Prince with a quaver in his voice: I don't think they have Icelandic ewes in any land but Iceland.
Stekkjastaur: There you go, you are not qualified...go away.
The Little Prince walked away with a heavy heart...then he stopped and called to Stekkjastaur " I am walking so I must have legs".
Stekkjastaur: Pretended not to hear the Little Prince and continued on his way.
The first to arrive is Stekkjastaur.....Stiff-legs, he sneaks into the sheep shed, hoping to milk one of the ewes, for his favorite drink. The sheep startled,jump and tumble about the shed. Stekkjastaur legs, after his long walk from his mountain home, are stiff and aching, so the sheep are able to get away.
Poor Stekkjastaur will have no milk today.
Today December 12th is a big day in Iceland, the first of the 13 Jolasveinar, variously called Yule Goblins, Christmas Men, Christmas Elves or Christmas Lads, arrives down from the mountains.
Today's arrival is named Stiff-legs followed by his brothers the last one arriving on the 24th, Christmas Eve. Then they leave for the mountains one by one, the last one leaving on 12th night, January 6th.
These charmers were first mentioned in print in the 17th century and were known by various names which differ from region to region, with up to 80 names recorded.
Most of the names reflect the tricks they played. They coveted things people found hardest to do without during the lean times and the blackest Arctic nights, food and light.
Their parents were real charmers, their names are Gryla (Ugly) and Leppaludi (one who wears tattered clothes). It was said that Gryla and Leppaludi liked to feast on misbehaving children and were used as bogeymen to terrify children into obedience. The family pet was an enormous Black Cat who had the same culinary habits as Gryla and Leppaludi.The children of today, do not have to worry about Grila's, Leppaludi's and the Cat's former culinary habits, as they now probably prefer a Pizza or a Hamburger and a Coke.
In the 20th century the 13 Jolasveinar have mellowed and evolved from bogeymen into benevolent beings. They are now entertainment for, and friends to children. Each night when the children go to bed they leave their shoe on the window sill. If they have been good, they will receive a gift from each of the Jolasveinar, as they arrive from their mountain home. If they have been bad, they will find a potato in
their shoe.
