The Troll Behind the Riddles

This is Smaul the Troll. I am a very important character in our Fairy Tale themed mystery The Enchanted Slumber. Like most trolls, it is my job to guard a bridge. And the only way you can cross my bridge is if you answer my riddles. But the problem is that no one ever tries to cross my bridge anymore, so I have to send my riddles in the mail.

 

I send my riddles to the extraordinary kids who are trying to help me figure out how to break the spell that has been cast upon our dear friend Princess Marjorie. And also I really want to get my library card. I have fallen in love with reading and the only way to get a library card is if I get a piece of mail with my name on it. 

The letters that kids send back to me are amazing. They send me drawings, hand-made gifts and riddles of their own. They have endless theories and even more questions: “How old are you?” “Are you friends with Dragon?” “How do you get to the Never Changing Forest?” “Do you like to swim?” “Can you send a picture of yourself?” And they really hope that I get my library card: “I love going to the library. I check out books with my library card and I hope you can too.”

Their letters are enthusiastic: “I hope I can meet you someday, I really want to visit the Never Changing Forest.”

 

They are apologetic: “I am very sorry my handwriting is so messy." They are noble: “We will do our best to make sure the princess wakes up.”

 

They are grateful: “Thank you for sending us this mission.”

 

They make us laugh: “I have a friend, or assistant you could say, he is my brother and he is super helpful.” “Do you like Doritos and do you like pizza?” 

 

They are great judges of character: “I think because Sir Homer is boasting a lot he is not telling the truth.”

 

And best of all, they are encouraging: “Good job on the typing!” “I think you look good by the way.” “It sounds so lonely when you’re guarding the bridge but I’m glad you have support from Mrs. McBeth. If you need support from anyone else, we can be pen pals.” 

These kids are some of the best friends a troll could hope to have. I just want to let you know how much I appreciate every single one of these letters. I am honoured to get them and to have so many new pals. 

Yours in adventure and friendship,