I suspect it is likely nothing complicated. This land has such little grasp on the details of reality that it seems quite possible that it could simply act this way on its own.

[He should just deal with it and let the boy calm down, really. He knows this. However, old and tired as he might be, there is still that tiny trace of a mischievous troll left...]

Though I doubt it is for no reason. Perhaps it wants something. Did you try feeding it?

[To his knowledge, machines here also need to eat!]