It is astonishing that Stekkjastaur is the first to come to the people, because he is already quite old and accordingly awkward and clumsy. Especially his stiff legs make it difficult for him to walk.
But this year, the long journey was not as arduous as usual, because the gelding Léttfeti took pity on him and brought him into the human world. Léttfeti means “light-footed” in Icelandic and he is, as his name suggests, particularly easy to walk sure-footed and enduring.
Arriving at the farms, Stekkjastaur immediately sets out to search for the sheepfold, hoping that he will still find ewes there who give milk, because fresh sheep’s milk is his great passion. You can imagine the chaos he causes when he sneaks through the stables trying to catch a sheep to quench his thirst.
This is not an easy task because Icelanders have not been milking for a long time. Therefore, in December, the actual mating season of the sheep, there are not many sheep in the barn who suckle a lamb and therefore still have milk. And of course, the sheep do not voluntarily let the cheeky robber get to their udders and jump away outraged and loudly bleating when he approaches them.
This is not the only difficulty the poor Stekkjastaur has to struggle with. It gets really uncomfortable for him when the noise and confusion he causes upsets the ram who feels disturbed in his sleep. Then, he has to take his heavy legs in his hand and flee as fast as possible to avoid being taken to the horns.
A PIECE OF ADVICE
If you want to be spared the pranks of Stekkjastaur, it would be a good idea to put a glass of sheep’s milk or some cheese on your windowsill.
If he is in a good mood, he might leave a gift behind.
