Summary

The first Section is “The Goat Farm.” The first chapter is “White Bear King Valemon.” The chapter opens with Astri in the home of her Aunt and Uncle with their three daughters, Helga, Katinka, and Flicka. There is an air of expectation and Astri says it feels as if she is already far away.

Astri knows a fairy tale about a white bear that promises to meet every desire of a family in exchange for their youngest daughter. Astri says this is the same as her story. Aunt puts aside her knitting to greet a man who arrives at the house. His name is Mr. Svaalberd. He is a goatherd with a large hump on his back. Aunt points out Astri and promises that she will be a good servant and that she won't give...