The Reindeer Gudrun: The Viking Princess

1,000 years ago, in the wild lands of the north,

lived a special little girl.

The trees and animals of the forest were her friends and playmates.

Now, travel back in time to join her games.

Come and explore the wild with...

It's the end of summer.

There's already a chill in the air

and children need to collect firewood.

Although the forest seems quiet and still, little animals are busy too.

Millions of wood ants scavenge pine needles to thatch their nest.

And what's that under a twig, Gudrun?

It's a harvestman spider.

That's it, see what else you can find.

But animals here are good at hiding.

You've missed the timberman beetle.

His antennae are longer than he is!

And a pine embroiderer spider.

Her legs are so thin, you can see straight through them.

No wonder you missed her!

Keep searching.

But watch out, Olaf - if you don't look where you're going,

you'll run into a big surprise...

..a reindeer.

The reindeer are friends of the Vikings.

Look, Gudrun,

he's wandered so far from the herd, he might not find his way back.

What can you do to help?

Well done, Olaf.

Reindeer like to eat the stuff that grows amongst the blaeberries.

Some people call it reindeer moss but we Vikings call it lichen.

Good idea, Gudrun.

The rope from the firewood's bound to be useful too.

While the reindeer enjoys his favourite food, you can harness him

with the rope and lead him back to the herd where he'll be safe.

Take care - the valley is boggy from the summer rains.

Even those big, wide feet that help the reindeer walk over soft snow

are sinking into the bog.

But what should you do?

If you keep going, you could get stuck.

Trust the reindeer, Gudrun.

Let him lead for a while.

That's it! He knows how to find the solid ground.

Climb through the trees.

Keep going out on to the open ground.

Back to the hilltop where the reindeer graze.

The lost reindeer is nearly home...

..and the herder is so happy to have him back.

This is the way of the reindeer and the way of the Vikings too, Gudrun.

No-one is ever left out of the herd.

You're learning the ways of the wild.

You're learning to be a true princess of the Vikings.