{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/hoe/hoe1-32.htm","path":"neu/hoe/hoe1-32.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/hoe/hoe1-32.htm","text":"THE Esthonians appear to be very compassionate towards orphans, for many of their tales relate to the adventures of neglected or ill-used orphan children, and the wonderful events by which their welfare was finally secured. Nevertheless, wicked stepmothers and farmers\u2019 wives are just as common as in other folk-tales.\nThe first story of this class which we have selected, \u201cThe Wood of Tontla,\u201d1 is specially interesting from its resemblance to Tieck\u2019s well-known German story of \u201cThe Elves,\u201d which must originally have been derived from the same source as the present narrative.\nWith the Orphan Stories proper I have placed others relating to stolen or friendless children.\n1 Tont is a common name for a house-spirit.","title":"SECTION II - ORPHAN AND FOUNDLING STORIES","type":"page"}