The Legend of Freyr

Erik the little Viking loved to run around the village and play at being a warrior with his friends. They waved sticks around as swords and pretended to fight giants and dragons. But today Erik had woken up in a bad mood. Instead of playing with his friends, Erik would have to go to the market with his mum and dad because winter was coming and they needed to replenish their supplies.

Mum had a basket full of dried fish that she wanted to exchange for flour and nuts.

“We need to get ready for the long winter evenings,” she explained to Erik. Dad, meanwhile, was looking for good quality furs to keep the family warm when the frosty days came.

Erik was reluctant at first, but once they had arrived at the market he grew more excited. There were so many interesting things there: beads, metal clasps, leather and beautiful fabrics. He stopped at a stall with bronze ornaments and was immediately drawn to one dragon-shaped clasp. It was shiny and ornate, like something a great warrior would wear.

“This clasp is beautiful,” Erik said quietly, and instead of asking the seller how much it cost, he picked it up to have a closer look.

“Erik, what are you doing?” Mum reproached him when she saw him turning it over in his hand.

Erik was startled, but he didn’t want to put the clasp back. “I’m just trying it on,” he mumbled.

“You can’t just help yourself to those, Erik. You must either buy it, or put it back,” Mum said sternly, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.

Erik frowned. “I want to be strong and have something precious too,” he sighed.

“Oh, Erik,” Mum said kindly. “All that glitters is not…