In the small island of Oknö near Mönsterås, Sweden, a young girl named Karolina Olsson went to bed complaining of a toothache. She wouldn’t wake up until three decades later, or so the story goes.
Karolina was born on 29 October 1861, the second-eldest of six children. Her siblings were all brothers. Karolina's mother appears to have managed the household and children exceptionally well. Nonetheless, she believed it was important for Karolina to contribute to the household, so she kept her home and taught her how to read and write. Karolina didn't begin attending school until the late autumn of 1875 when she was already 14 years old.
Karolina had hardly been to school for a month, when one day while returning home from school with her brothers, she complained of a toothache and a feeling of general unease. Her family suspected that she might be afflicted by witchcraft or under the malevolent influence of an evil spirit. Her mother instructed her to go to bed. Karolina continued to complain of toothache, but had no other symptoms. However, when she fell asleep, she did not wake up.
A 17th century painting of a sleeping girl by an unknown painter.
Source: amusingplanet.com