The Trail of the Elk

"The Trail of the Elk" by Mikkjel Fønhus is a story set in the early 1900s that explores the wonders of nature and ancient stories, specifically the bond between humans and animals, focusing on a mysterious elk leader named Rauten. We meet Gaupa, called "The Lynx," a tough man journeying through the wild lands with his dog Bjönn, tracking elk and interacting with the magical countryside. The story takes place in Ré Valley, a beautiful but eerie location where peace and tension exist. Gaupa’s discovery of an elk calf with what appears to be human eyes leads him toward an understanding of rebirth and the deeper connections between all living things, foreshadowing an encounter with a crazy Swedish man who strongly expressed his feelings about the natural world.