Week 5 Storytelling: A Troll's Reign

There once was a town named Pawnee. This town was full of laughter, love, and happiness.  The citizen’s days consisted of church and family gatherings. All was well in this little town but a darkness loomed nearby. A troll with teeth as big as the citizens themselves was in a deep slumber. The terrible troll was named Baki. The citizens had heard of his rulings every thousand years, but it was all a distant worry. The distant worry would soon be a cruel, cruel reality…

Source: SodaHead

Baki stretched his long arms after waking from a thousand year slumber. He was very hungry with an appetite for flesh. He performed his ritual of sharpening his teeth and club. As he got ready for his upcoming reign, he spoke words that boomed across the lands. “I’m coming dear Pawnee. Be prepared.” The citizens shivered with fear for they were not expecting those words to be spoken so soon.

Baki swept through the town with his mouth as wide as the sea. He quickly went to the King and ate him with one swift bite. The livestock and the occasion citizen fell into the depths of his mouth. The people ran with fear locking their doors and turning off the lights. The attack continued for the next week until Baki’s belly was completely full. Once he was finished, he started his actual reign over Pawnee. The rule was for each family in the city to alternate each week on offering the troll either eight cows, twenty chickens, or one of the family members themselves. These were the rules, and they would not be altered. One of the local families had neither chickens nor cows, therefore they would have to sacrifice one of the children. This outraged the town of Pawnee and news spread quick.

A nearby town heard of the terrible news. In the town resided a family of five sons that were in hiding from something that no one quite knew about. The youngest and strongest boy was named David. He thought of all the people that were being affected by this cruel creature and felt something needed to be done. He begged and begged his mother to let him go but she resisted. David did not care what she said. Pawnee needed a savior and he would be that for them. Later that night, David packed his sword, slingshot, and rocks before sneaking out to Pawnee.

Source: David

After a fortnight of traveling, David arrived in the middle of the city’s downtown. He stood firm with sword in hand and yelled out to the evil troll. “Baki you have taken your last human. Your last chicken. Your last cow. And especially your last breath.”

Baki jumped out of his makeshift thrown of cow bones. He quickly jolted towards David a swung his massive club, barely missing David’s head. As David ducked he took out his sword and attempted to stab the calf of the troll. The rough hide of the troll snapped the metal sword in two. Baki chuckled with a great laugh for he knew he had an easy win now.

“Ah young boy you are done for now. Give up now and I will make it quick.” Baki continued his laugh, his mouth being spread open. David saw his chance and took advantage of it. He took out the most rugged rock and placed it into the slingshot. David pulled back with all his might and let go of the rock, his last chance. As Baki chuckled, the rock went straight into his mouth and lodged into the troll’s throat. As Baki choked on the rock, David strolled up to him. “You have underestimated me my friend. People of Pawnee, you are forever safe from this monster. No more sacrifices, only happiness!” The citizens peaked out from behind their doors with smiles on their faces. As the town became full of people, they chanted for their new hero. Their new King.

Author’s Note: The inspiration for this story was that of the Mahabharata. The particular section in the Public Domain Edition was Bhima and Baka. Bhima, the son of Pandu, defeats an asura named Baka in a nearby town. This asura is reigning over the town. I chose to be similar to the Mahabharata in that the troll desired sacrifices of animals and if not available, humans. My inspiration for David was that of Bhima. I chose not to make him of a noble origin to being with because I wanted a rag to riches type of story. He differed greatly because at the end of the story Bhima was not chosen to be king. Also, a major difference in my story and that of the Mahabharata is that David’s (Bhima) mother wanted him to defeat the troll (asura). This is vital because defying his mother brings a certain dynamic to the story. I am glad that you read my take on the Mahabharata. Furthermore, David is sort of a take on David and Goliath.