The story opens in a snug, timeless village where every street corner, garden rose, and local dog is known by name. The narrator walks through the familiar lanes, marveling at the steady rhythm of daily life and the comforting presence of long‑standing townsfolk, from the lumbering mayor to the diligent gardener Halfvorson. This intimate portrait sets a warm, almost nostalgic stage for the events to come.
At the heart of this close‑knit community is Petter Nord, a plump, bright‑eyed boy from Värmland whose clever little inventions and playful chatter make him a beloved fixture in the shop of the old gardener. He juggles his duties—counting coins, feeding white mice, and charming customers—while his mischievous spirit keeps the town amused. Yet a sudden discovery of a hidden fifty‑crown note stirs a quiet tension, hinting that even the most harmonious places can be shaken by greed and secret motives.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (369K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-12-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1858–1940
A pioneering Swedish storyteller, she became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1909. Her novels and tales blend folklore, moral drama, and a vivid sense of the Swedish landscape.
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