Fran Kocbek

Fran Kocbek was a teacher in Gornji Grad and was for some time the chief of the Savinjske Alpe Mountaineering Society outlet. Today, he is most well know for his book `Savinjske Alpe', published in 1925 (click on the Edelweiss for the book cover). In this book, he described a large amount of interesting natural phenomena, classified or listed species of animals and plants, discussed historical background of towns and villages in the region, and collected old stories, fairy tales and folk-lore. Below is the short story No.57 of his collection, published on page 256 of his book:

§57. How hunter Krofic lost his way On a Sunday, Krofic went to hunt in the mountains. He saw some wild mountain goats and traced them along a lovely path. But all on a sudden, the path was gone and he could neither advance nor retreat. The shepherds heard him calling for help, and notified the priest in Solcava. The priest came to Robanov kot and absolved from a distance the hunter from his sins. Then Krofic ate some crumbs from his bread sack, and the priest advised him to throw down his rifle. If the rifle should not break apart when hitting the ground, he too should be able to jump down safely. Krofic threw down the rifle and it broke apart, but the priest said it stayed intact. Believing what the priest had said, Krofic jumped and killed himself. Since then, that mountain is called Kroficka.

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