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‘SWEDISH FOLKTALES AND LEGENDS’ SERIES: The Bäckahäst

sometimes a creature called the näck appears as a white horse, commonly known as the bäckahäst, rather than a naked man. the bäckahäst was said to have a dazzling white coat, and he galloped so fast that sparks flew from his hooves. whoever is quick enough to pull out a few hairs from its tale and is able to add the  hairs to their fiddle is said to become an excellent musician. of course, like with any other miracle, there’s a catch… people say that it’s impossible to stop playing the fiddle once starting, and that it’s the näck himself who takes over. he will continue playing until the thief is dead and gone, and he can reclaim what was stolen from him.