I Know What I Have Learned
by Andrew Lang · from The Pink Fairy Book
Adapted Version
Once, there was an old man. He had three daughters. They all married trolls. The trolls lived in hills.
The man visited his first daughter. He ate dry bread by a hill. The hill opened. His daughter came out. "Come in, Father!" she said. He went inside.
Soon, Troll 1 came home. "We need soup," said the daughter. "Easy!" said Troll 1. He bumped his head on a beam. Soup appeared! They ate soup. Troll 1 gave him coins.
The man walked home. He thought about his cow. He put the bag down. He ran home. "Did the cow have a baby?" he asked. "No!" said his Wife. They went back. The bag was gone! A thief took it. The Wife was angry. "I know what I learned," said the man.
He visited his second daughter. He ate bread by another hill. His daughter came out. He went inside. Troll 2 came home. "We need light," said the daughter. "Easy!" said Troll 2. He touched the fire. His fingers glowed! They had light. Troll 2 gave him two bags.
The man walked home. He thought about his cow. He put the bags down. He ran home. "Did the cow have a baby?" he asked. "No!" said his Wife. They went back. The bags were gone! The Wife was very angry. "I know what I learned," said the man.
He visited his third daughter. He ate bread by a big hill. His daughter came out. He went inside. Troll 3 came home. "We need fish," said the daughter. "Easy!" said Troll 3. They got in a trough. "Are my eyes green?" asked Troll 3. "Yes," said his wife. He jumped in. He caught many fish! Troll 3 gave him three bags.
The man walked home. He thought about his cow. He put the bags down. He put his shoes on top. He ran home. "Did the cow have a baby?" he asked. "No!" said his Wife. They went back. Only the shoes were there! The Wife was very, very angry. "I know what I learned," said the man.
One day, the Wife wanted soup. "Go buy meat," she said. "No need!" said the man. He bumped his head on a beam. Ouch! It hurt. No soup came. He had to rest.
Later, the Wife wanted light. "Go buy candles," she said. "No need!" said the man. He touched the fire. Ouch! It was hot. He had to rest again.
Then, the Wife wanted fish. "Go buy fish," she said. "No need!" said the man. "Come with me." They got in a trough. "Are my eyes green?" he asked. "No," said his Wife. "Please say yes," he said. "Okay, they are green," she said.
He jumped into the shallow water. Splash! He got very wet. He could not catch fish. He laughed. "I learned something," he said. "I cannot copy trolls. I must use my own brain!" He went home. He was wet but happy.
Original Story
I Know What I Have Learned
From the Danish.
There was once a man who had three daughters, and they were all married
to trolls, who lived underground. One day the man thought that he would
pay them a visit, and his wife gave him some dry bread to eat by the
way. After he had walked some distance he grew both tired and hungry, so
he sat down on the east side of a mound and began to eat his dry bread.
The mound then opened, and his youngest daughter came out of it, and
said, ‘Why, father! why are you not coming in to see me?’
‘Oh,’ said he, ‘if I had known that you lived here, and had seen any
entrance, I would have come in.’
Then he entered the mound along with her.
The troll came home soon after this, and his wife told him that her
father was come, and asked him to go and buy some beef to make broth
with.
‘We can get it easier than that!’ said the troll.
He fixed an iron spike into one of the beams of the roof, and ran his
head against this till he had knocked several large pieces off his head.
He was just as well as ever after doing this, and they got their broth
without further trouble.
The troll then gave the old man a sackful of money, and laden with this
he betook himself homewards. When he came near his home he remembered
that he had a cow about to calve, so he laid down the money on the
ground, ran home as fast as he could, and asked his wife whether the cow
had calved yet.
‘What kind of a hurry is this to come home in?’ said she. ‘No, the cow
has not calved yet.’
‘Then you must come out and help me in with a sackful of money,’ said
the man.
‘A sackful of money?’ cried his wife.
‘Yes, a sackful of money,’ said he. ‘Is that so very wonderful?’
His wife did not believe very much what he told her, but she humoured
him, and went out with him.
When they came to the spot where he had left it there was no money
there; a thief had come along and stolen it. His wife then grew angry
and scolded him heartily.
‘Well, well!’ said he, ‘hang the money! I know what I have learned.’
‘What have you learned?’ said she.
‘Ah! I know that,’ said the man.
After some time had passed the man had a mind to visit his second eldest
daughter. His wife again gave him some dry bread to eat, and when he
grew tired and hungry he sat down on the east side of a mound and began
to eat it. As he sat there his daughter came up out of the mound, and
invited him to come inside, which he did very willingly.
Soon after this the troll came home. It was dark by that time, and his
wife bade him go and buy some candles.
‘Oh, we shall soon get a light,’ said the troll. With that he dipped his
fingers into the fire, and they then gave light without being burned in
the least.
The old man got two sacks of money here, and plodded away homewards with
these. When he was very nearly home he again thought of the cow that
was with calf, so he laid down the money, ran home, and asked his wife
whether the cow had calved yet.
‘Whatever is the matter with you?’ said she. ‘You come hurrying as if
the whole house was about to fall. You may set your mind at rest: the
cow has not calved yet.’
The man now asked her to come and help him home with the two sacks of
money. She did not believe him very much, but he continued to assure her
that it was quite true, till at last she gave in and went with him. When
they came to the spot there had again been a thief there and taken the
money. It was no wonder that the woman was angry about this, but the man
only said, ‘Ah, if you only knew what I have learned.’
A third time the man set out--to visit his eldest daughter. When he
came to a mound he sat down on the east side of it and ate the dry bread
which his wife had given him to take with him. The daughter then came
out of the mound and invited her father to come inside.
In a little the troll came home, and his wife asked him to go and buy
some fish.
‘We can get them much more easily than that,’ said the troll. ‘Give me
your dough trough and your ladle.’
They seated themselves in the trough, and rowed out on the lake which
was beside the mound. When they had got out a little way the troll said
to his wife, ‘Are my eyes green?’
‘No, not yet,’ said she.
He rowed on a little further and asked again, ‘Are my eyes not green
yet?’
‘Yes,’ said his wife, ‘they are green now.’
Then the troll sprang into the water and ladled up so many fish that in
a short time the trough could hold no more. They then rowed home again,
and had a good meal off the fish.
The old man now got three sacks full of money, and set off home with
them. When he was almost home the cow again came into his head, and he
laid down the money. This time, however, he took his wooden shoes and
laid them above the money, thinking that no one would take it after
that. Then he ran home and asked his wife whether the cow had calved. It
had not, and she scolded him again for behaving in this way, but in the
end he persuaded her to go with him to help him with the three sacks of
money.
When they came to the spot they found only the wooden shoes, for a thief
had come along in the meantime and taken all the money. The woman was
very angry, and broke out upon her husband; but he took it all very
quietly, and only said, ‘Hang the money! I know what I have learned.’
‘What have you learned I should like to know?’ said his wife.
‘You will see that yet,’ said the man.
One day his wife took a fancy for broth, and said to him, ‘Oh, go to the
village, and buy a piece of beef to make broth.’
‘There’s no need of that,’ said he; ‘we can get it an easier way.’ With
that he drove a spike into a beam, and ran his head against it, and in
consequence had to lie in bed for a long time afterwards.
After he had recovered from this his wife asked him one day to go and
buy candles, as they had none.
‘No,’ he said, ‘there’s no need for that;’ and he stuck his hand into
the fire. This also made him take to bed for a good while.
When he had got better again his wife one day wanted fish, and asked him
to go and buy some. The man, however, wished again to show what he had
learned, so he asked her to come along with him and bring her dough
trough and a ladle. They both seated themselves in this, and rowed upon
the lake. When they had got out a little way the man said, ‘Are my eyes
green?’
‘No,’ said his wife; ‘why should they be?’
They rowed a little further out, and he asked again, ‘Are my eyes not
green yet?’
‘What nonsense is this?’ said she; ‘why should they be green?’
‘Oh, my dear,’ said he, ‘can’t you just say that they are green?’
‘Very well,’ said she, ‘they are green.’
As soon as he heard this he sprang out into the water with the ladle for
the fishes, but he just got leave to stay there with them!
Story DNA
Moral
One should not blindly imitate what they see others do, especially when lacking the inherent abilities or understanding of the original actor.
Plot Summary
An old man visits his three daughters, who are married to trolls, and observes their magical, unconventional ways of performing daily tasks like making broth, lighting rooms, and fishing. Each time, he receives money but loses it due to his preoccupation with his cow and his wife's disbelief, cryptically claiming he has 'learned' something. Convinced he can replicate the trolls' magic, he attempts their tricks himself, injuring himself with the first two and ultimately drowning when he tries to magically fish like the third troll, proving his folly.
Themes
Emotional Arc
curiosity to foolishness to tragicomic demise
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Andrew Lang's 'Fairy Books' were collections of folklore from various cultures, making this a translated and compiled piece rather than an original Danish publication in English.
Plot Beats (12)
- An old man visits his youngest daughter, married to a troll, and enters their mound home.
- The first troll creates beef broth by knocking pieces off his head, then gives the man a sack of money.
- The man loses the money on the way home, distracted by his cow, and tells his scolding wife, 'I know what I have learned.'
- The man visits his second daughter; the second troll creates light by dipping fingers in fire, then gives the man two sacks of money.
- The man again loses the money due to his cow, repeating his cryptic phrase to his angry wife.
- The man visits his eldest daughter; the third troll magically fishes by turning his eyes green and jumping into the lake, then gives the man three sacks of money.
- The man loses the money a third time, despite trying to hide it, and repeats his phrase to his furious wife.
- The wife asks for beef broth, and the man attempts to imitate the first troll's method, injuring himself and requiring bed rest.
- The wife asks for candles, and the man attempts to imitate the second troll's method, burning his hand and requiring more bed rest.
- The wife asks for fish, and the man takes her to the lake, asking her to confirm his eyes are green.
- After some persuasion, his wife says his eyes are green, and the man jumps into the lake.
- The man drowns, unable to perform the troll's magic, having only 'learned' the actions, not the inherent ability.
Characters
The Man ★ protagonist
Old, easily tired
Attire: Simple peasant clothing appropriate for rural Denmark
Forgetful, foolish, easily distracted, stubborn
Image Prompt & Upload
A young man in his early twenties with a determined expression, short tousled brown hair, and a slight stubble. He wears a simple but well-worn tunic of muted green over brown trousers, sturdy leather boots, and a traveler's cloak draped over one shoulder. He stands tall with a confident posture, one hand resting on the hilt of a sheathed short sword at his belt, gazing directly forward with calm resolve. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Wife ◆ supporting
Strong, capable
Attire: Practical peasant dress, apron
Practical, easily angered, long-suffering
Image Prompt & Upload
A mature woman in her late 40s with kind, crow's feet eyes and a gentle, welcoming expression. Her hair is neatly pulled back into a soft bun with a few wisps framing her face. She wears a simple but elegant dress of muted blue wool with a clean white apron tied at the waist. Her posture is open and slightly leaning forward, as if listening attentively, with her hands clasped gently in front of her. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Youngest Daughter ◆ supporting
Lives underground
Attire: Simple dress, perhaps with earth-toned colors
Kind, hospitable
Image Prompt & Upload
A young girl around ten years old with large, kind hazel eyes and a gentle, hopeful smile. She has long, chestnut brown hair in two neat braids tied with simple blue ribbons. She is wearing a modest, knee-length dress of soft, faded blue linen with a white apron, and simple brown leather shoes. She stands in a relaxed, open posture, holding a small, unlit iron lantern in both hands in front of her. The lighting is soft and warm, suggesting early morning or dusk. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Second Eldest Daughter ◆ supporting
Lives underground
Attire: Simple dress, perhaps with earth-toned colors
Kind, hospitable
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman in her late teens with a kind, patient expression and a gentle smile. She has long, chestnut brown hair neatly braided and pinned up. She wears a modest, practical dress of soft blue linen with a white apron, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Her posture is attentive and slightly leaning forward, as if ready to help, holding a wooden bowl of fresh herbs in her hands. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Eldest Daughter ◆ supporting
Lives underground
Attire: Simple dress, perhaps with earth-toned colors
Kind, hospitable
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman in her early twenties with a kind and responsible expression, standing with a gentle, supportive posture. She has long, chestnut brown hair neatly braided over one shoulder. She wears a simple, practical dress of soft blue linen with a white apron, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows as if ready to work. Her hands are clasped gently in front of her. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Troll (Youngest Daughter's Husband) ◆ supporting
Able to injure himself without lasting harm
Attire: Crude clothing
Resourceful, violent
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, stocky male figure with a broad, flat nose and a wide, friendly grin. His skin is a mottled greenish-grey, thick and textured like rough stone. He has small, deep-set eyes and a shock of wild, mossy green hair. He is dressed in simple, sturdy peasant clothes: a patched brown tunic, rough trousers, and worn leather boots. His posture is slightly hunched, with one large hand resting on his hip in a relaxed, supportive stance. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Troll (Second Eldest Daughter's Husband) ◆ supporting
Able to produce light with his fingers
Attire: Crude clothing
Resourceful, violent
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, stocky male troll with a broad, friendly face, rough greenish-brown skin, and a wide, crooked nose. He has small, kind eyes under bushy eyebrows and a tuft of messy, dark hair. He wears a simple, patched leather tunic over roughspun trousers, and heavy boots. He stands with a slightly hunched, relaxed posture, one hand resting on a large, gnarled wooden club. He is in a rocky, mossy clearing at the edge of a dark forest. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Troll (Eldest Daughter's Husband) ◆ supporting
Eyes turn green when fishing
Attire: Crude clothing
Resourceful, violent
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, bulky male troll with moss-green, warty skin and a gentle, lopsided grin. He has small, kind eyes and a broad, flat nose. His wild, dark hair is tangled with twigs. He wears a simple, rough-spun brown tunic and patched trousers, standing in a relaxed, slightly hunched posture. He holds a small, intricately carved wooden bird in one massive, calloused hand. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
East side of a mound
Grassy mound with an opening to an underground dwelling
Mood: eerie, mysterious
The man visits each of his daughters living with trolls.
Image Prompt & Upload
Early morning light filters through a soft mist, casting a gentle glow on a lush, emerald-green grassy mound. The eastern slope is dotted with dew-kissed wildflowers—tiny blues and yellows. At the mound's base, a weathered stone archway forms a dark, inviting opening into the earth, framed by creeping ivy and moss-covered stones. A faint, warm light emanates from within the passage, contrasting with the cool, fresh dawn outside. The surrounding meadow is peaceful, with tall grasses swaying lightly in a breeze, and a few ancient, twisted oak trees in the distance. The atmosphere is serene, mysterious, and quietly magical. No border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Troll's underground home
A dwelling inside a mound, sturdy beams in the roof
Mood: strange, otherworldly
The man witnesses the troll's strange abilities to create food and light.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dimly lit cavern inside a mossy earthen mound, the low ceiling supported by massive, gnarled beams of twisted root and rough-hewn dark wood. The air is thick with the scent of damp soil and stone. Soft, ethereal blue-green light emanates from clusters of bioluminescent fungi clinging to the curved walls, casting gentle shadows on the packed earth floor. In the center, a large, flat stone serves as a hearth, with the faint, warm glow of embers. The entrance is a rounded, shadowed archway leading deeper into the earth. Textures of rough bark, damp stone, and velvety moss dominate. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
Road near the man's home
A path leading to the man's house, close enough to worry about a calving cow
Mood: anxious, frustrating
The man repeatedly leaves the money unattended and it gets stolen.
Image Prompt & Upload
Early morning mist clings to a winding dirt path, dappled with soft golden light filtering through ancient oak trees. The path leads to a quaint, thatched-roof cottage with warm, glowing windows, nestled against a gentle hillside. Wildflowers—bluebells and daisies—line the route, their petals heavy with dew. A wooden fence borders a lush green meadow where a weathered red barn stands quietly in the background. The air is still and cool, with a palette of misty greens, earthy browns, and the pale yellow of dawn. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Lake beside the mound
A lake next to the troll's mound dwelling
Mood: foolish, watery
The man tries to imitate the troll's fishing method and fails.
Image Prompt & Upload
A still, dark lake at twilight reflects a sliver of setting moon. On its shore rises an ancient, grassy mound, its earthy sides thick with moss and twisted roots, a single low, arched doorway of dark wood barely visible. The water's edge is lined with smooth, grey stones and strange, softly glowing bioluminescent fungi. Gnarled, leafless trees with silhouettes like grasping fingers frame the scene. A cool, low-hanging mist drifts across the water's surface, diffusing the faint purple and deep blue light. The atmosphere is silent, mystical, and slightly eerie. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
