A tub of skyr is never safe when Skyrgámur is nearby. Known as Skyr Gobbler, the eighth Yule Lad arrives during the night of December 18th, ready for the morning of December 19th. Once he starts eating his favourite food, he does not seem to know when to stop—even when his stomach has had quite enough.
What Makes Skyr Worth Stealing?
To understand his appetite, it helps to know what he is stealing. Skyr is a thick, cultured Icelandic dairy food, often compared with Greek yoghurt. Traditionally made from skimmed milk, it put the milk left after the cream was removed to good use.
The liquid separated from the skyr is called mysa, or whey. It has a tart flavour that can take some getting used to. You can drink it or use it to add a sour note to cooking. Skyrgámur, though, keeps his attention firmly on the skyr.
An Appetite Bigger Than His Stomach
In Jóhannes úr Kötlum’s poem below, Skyrgámur breaks into the tub and eats until he is about to burst. The other verse pictures him waiting on a roof beam in the larder before climbing down to help himself. Different tellings, but the same greedy visitor: once he reaches the skyr, good manners are soon forgotten.
Skyr Gobbler in Verse
Another Verse for the Hungry Visitor
Skyr Gobbler was greedy for good food
and often sat on the roof beam in the larder.
When the door to the larder closed
he stole down and had himself some skyr.
Some of it of course landed on his clothes
and his beard became all spotted with the stuff.
When One More Spoonful Is Too Much
Skyrgámur’s mischief comes with its own punishment. The skyr disappears, but the stomachache is his to keep. It is a wonderfully greedy little Christmas tale, and a reminder that even a favourite food can be too much of a good thing.
Meet the previous visitor, Hurðaskellir, the Door Slammer, then continue to Bjúgnakrækir. You can also meet their mother, Grýla, or explore all the Yule Lad stories.
