Secrets of Yggdrasil — A Scandinavian Fairy Tale for Children

Olaf and Inga lived in a small village on the edge of the forest. Their parents often told them stories about great Vikings, the gods of Asgard, and the tree Yggdrasil, which connects the nine worlds. But the children always considered these tales to be mere fairy tales until one day something unusual happened.

On a sunny day, while walking through the forest, Olaf and Inga discovered a strange glow between the trees. "What could that be?" Olaf asked, following the light. Inga cautiously walked behind him, and soon they found themselves in front of a gigantic tree that reached up to the sky. Its branches stretched out in all directions, and its roots dug deep into the ground. "This is... Yggdrasil!" Inga whispered, remembering their father's stories.

As they approached, the children heard a strange rustling. From one of the tree's branches looked down at them a squirrel. "Who are you?" it spoke in a high voice. Olaf was surprised: "You can talk? Who are you?" The squirrel proudly wagged its tail: "I am Ratatosk, the messenger of Yggdrasil. I run up and down the tree, delivering messages between the worlds. But you shouldn't be here. How did you find this path?"

Inga explained that they had simply followed the glow. The squirrel pondered: "Well then, since you're here, I can show you the secrets of Yggdrasil. But be careful: not all the creatures of this tree are friendly." The children agreed, as they were very eager to learn more.

Ratatosk led them through the branches, telling stories about the nine worlds. She showed them where Midgard, their home world, is located and where Asgard lies—the abode of the gods. On one of the levels, they heard hissing. "Is that... a serpent?" Inga asked fearfully.

A huge serpent emerged from the shadows of the roots. It was Jörmungandr, the World Serpent that encircles the entire ocean. "Who dares to disturb me?" its voice rumbled like thunder. Olaf bravely stepped forward: "We mean no harm, we just want to learn about the secrets of Yggdrasil." Jörmungandr looked thoughtfully at the children. "You are brave. But the secrets of this tree do not always bring joy. Remember, knowledge is power, but it can also become a burden."

The children promised to be cautious. The serpent showed them reflections of the worlds in its scales. They saw how the gods protect Asgard, how giants rule Jotunheim, and how the dead find peace in Helheim. It was a mesmerizing sight.

As the tour came to an end, Ratatosk led them to a large entrance to Midgard. "Now you know more than many people," the squirrel said. "Use this knowledge wisely. And remember, Yggdrasil has its own guardians who should not be disturbed without reason."

Olaf and Inga thanked Ratatosk and the serpent, promising not to tell anyone about their adventure. On their way home, they thought long about what they had seen, realizing that they had become part of a great mystery. The tree Yggdrasil remained for them a symbol of knowledge and the connection between all worlds.