On the surface, major themes of this story by Johannes Jensen are exploitation of man (slavery) and nature (deforestation). However, it also has a deeper theme… “progress” and the need to adapt or perish. When a primitive slave is freed after years of toil, he learns that not only has the idyllic lifestyle he yearned for in his home forests disappeared, but there is no place for him in the outside world. He returns to his former master, accepts the occasional whipping to keep him meek and respectful, and raises a family of like-minded slaves. Other themes include longing, acceptance.

In this story by Johannes Jensen, an old woman stands knitting beside her cow at a Danish fair. The cow is in good condition and soon comes to the interest of buyers. Several men ask how much she wants for it, but to each she replies It is not for sale. People begin to gossip about her, and one man accuses her of coming to the fair to make fun of people. She hasn’t, and has a good reason for being there. Themes include isolation and loneliness, human-animal connection, poverty, the plight of the rural elderly.