0:00:04 > 0:00:05Here they come,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08my two intrepid explorers...
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Oh!
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Charlotte and Lokesh.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16I'm their Great Aunt Lizzie, you see,
0:00:16 > 0:00:19and I wonder which one is coming to see me today.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22Ah, so it's Charlotte!
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Hello, Charlotte.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Hello, Great Aunt Lizzie.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Once upon a time, I travelled the world,
0:00:35 > 0:00:41discovering treasures from long ago and far away, and no end of stories
0:00:41 > 0:00:43to remind me.
0:00:43 > 0:00:48But my most precious possession of all
0:00:48 > 0:00:52is my extraordinary collection of teacups.
0:01:04 > 0:01:05Here we are!
0:01:07 > 0:01:09No time to count the clouds!
0:01:09 > 0:01:12Let's have a nice cup of tea and a story.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16But first, we need the teacup.
0:01:16 > 0:01:17But which one?
0:01:30 > 0:01:33- That one!- Ah!
0:01:33 > 0:01:35The cowrie shell.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39- Isn't it pretty?- Yes, it is.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43These little shells were very valuable in Viking times.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47In fact, for years, many people all over the world used
0:01:47 > 0:01:50- the cowrie shells instead of money. - Wow!
0:01:50 > 0:01:52So, are you ready?
0:01:52 > 0:01:55Ready.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Then let me tell you the story of Charlotte and
0:01:58 > 0:02:02the Adventure of the Cowrie Shells.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06This story begins in a little village huddled next to a
0:02:06 > 0:02:09freezing lake in a sparkling, cold
0:02:09 > 0:02:12northern region we now call Scandinavia.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35And it was there, among the tiny houses,
0:02:35 > 0:02:38that Charlotte turned up one bright morning.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41And even though she'd only just arrived,
0:02:41 > 0:02:45Charlotte could sense an air of excitement in the village.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49- Oh, the juice!- The first person Charlotte came across was a
0:02:49 > 0:02:52young woman who seemed to be preparing for some kind of feast.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56I'm sure I've forgotten something, but I've no idea what!
0:02:56 > 0:03:01I want his homecoming to be just perfect, but what if it isn't?
0:03:01 > 0:03:05She appeared very distracted and flitted from one thing to another.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Excuse me! I wonder if you need some help.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10What? Oh, yes, thank you.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17I don't seem to be able to concentrate on anything.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20The men from our village are coming home, you see.
0:03:20 > 0:03:21It's very exciting!
0:03:21 > 0:03:24This time, my brother, Gulbrand, will be with them.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26Has your brother been away?
0:03:26 > 0:03:28It was his first time away at sea,
0:03:28 > 0:03:31and even though I'm looking forward to him coming back,
0:03:31 > 0:03:34I'm worried. The men are two days late already.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39- Oh, dear.- I've been preparing this table every day, and then each night
0:03:39 > 0:03:40I put it all away again.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43I'm sure there's lots of reasons they could be late.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46- Do you think so?- Well, at sea lots of things can happen.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50- There could have been a storm... - Oh, no!- But probably not.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53They could have decided to stay somewhere longer.
0:03:53 > 0:03:54I just hope Gulbrand is OK.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- I'm sure he's strong.- One of the strongest.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59- And clever?- Very clever.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Then there's every chance he'll be home really soon.
0:04:02 > 0:04:03I hope so. In the meantime,
0:04:03 > 0:04:07perhaps I need to be grateful for everything we have here and
0:04:07 > 0:04:09hopeful for my brother's swift homecoming.
0:04:09 > 0:04:14I know! We can make an offering of thanks to one of the goddesses.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17The only trouble is, which one?
0:04:17 > 0:04:19There are so many to choose from!
0:04:19 > 0:04:21And what do I offer them?
0:04:21 > 0:04:23I don't want to get it wrong.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25Maybe you could ask someone.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Who is the wisest person you know?
0:04:27 > 0:04:29Of course! We could ask Sigrid.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31She is bound to know!
0:04:31 > 0:04:35She's a very wise woman and she knows everything about goddesses.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Great! You stay here in case your brother comes home
0:04:38 > 0:04:40and I'll go and ask her.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43She lives in a farm by a cave on the side of the mountain.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45I'll be as quick as I can.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51It didn't take Charlotte long to find Sigrid,
0:04:51 > 0:04:56sitting by the cave above her farm, watching the world go by.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Excuse me. Are you Sigrid?
0:04:58 > 0:05:02- I am.- Then I wonder if I could ask you something.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06Ask me anything you like, my dear. I'll answer it as well as I can.
0:05:06 > 0:05:07Gull's brother, Gulbrand,
0:05:07 > 0:05:11is supposed to be coming home from sea today but he's late back.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- Oh, dear.- Gull wants to make an offering of thanks and hopefulness
0:05:15 > 0:05:18to a goddess but she doesn't know which one.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21So Charlotte sat, hoping to discover something important
0:05:21 > 0:05:23among the legendary Viking goddesses.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25There are many,
0:05:25 > 0:05:29many goddesses but I think the best one to honour would be the
0:05:29 > 0:05:34goddess Freya. She is one of the highest and most powerful goddesses.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36She sounds perfect.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40Do you know, the goddess Freya cries tears of real gold?
0:05:40 > 0:05:42I can't imagine that.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45And she drives a chariot led by two cats.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47That must be cool.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51Gul should have a ceremony and make an offering
0:05:51 > 0:05:53of cowrie shells.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55What are cowrie shells?
0:05:55 > 0:05:58They are very precious and rare little shells
0:05:58 > 0:06:01that come from hot lands far across the sea.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05They would make the perfect offering to Freya.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09Where on earth was Charlotte going to get cowrie shells?
0:06:09 > 0:06:13But as if she'd read her mind, wise Sigrid had an idea.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17The only person I know who has such rare cowrie shells is Afi.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Who is Afi?
0:06:19 > 0:06:21Someone I knew a long time ago.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25He lives in a little hidden cove by the sea.
0:06:25 > 0:06:31And I have heard people say that now he only speaks in riddles.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Oh, dear! How was she going to understand a man
0:06:34 > 0:06:35who only spoke in riddles?
0:06:35 > 0:06:39It was only lunchtime and already it was all such a puzzle!
0:06:43 > 0:06:46Look at those beautiful sunflowers.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49- Helianthus annuus is their Latin name.- They look lovely.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52I got the seeds many years ago on one of my travels.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56So they are from a faraway place too, like the cowrie shells?
0:06:56 > 0:06:57They are.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01You are just like Sigrid, the wise woman in the story.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04That comes from going on so many adventures and meeting so many
0:07:04 > 0:07:07interesting people, just like Sigrid.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11So it's probably best we follow her advice.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13That would be wise, Charlotte.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16She's probably right about Afi and the cowrie shells
0:07:16 > 0:07:18and offering them to the goddess Freya.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22So Charlotte couldn't give up without at least trying to get
0:07:22 > 0:07:24the cowrie shells, could she?
0:07:31 > 0:07:34Off went Charlotte in her hat, bag and boots.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Through the spiny forests.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46And over rocky, windswept crags.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57When she was almost out of breath...
0:08:00 > 0:08:02..the path ran out!
0:08:13 > 0:08:16There was only one way to get to the other side.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Charlotte took a deep breath.
0:08:49 > 0:08:54Finally, she came to a cove hidden between some high rocky cliffs.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58But there was no time to take the sea air.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02Charlotte had to get those cowrie shells!
0:09:02 > 0:09:05She ran along the rocks and up to the headland,
0:09:05 > 0:09:09where she found an extraordinary-looking man.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15I'm sorry to bother you, but Sigrid sent me.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19She said you might have some cowrie shells I could have.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21But the man didn't seem to hear her
0:09:21 > 0:09:24and just kept on staring into the distance.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28Charlotte was about to ask again when he began, in a kind of riddle.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32Tell me of Sigrid, by the strength of the wave.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36- Where does she live?- Charlotte wasn't sure how to answer
0:09:36 > 0:09:39this riddle, so she decided to just say what she knew.
0:09:39 > 0:09:40She lives near a cave.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46The man seemed pleased with her answer and so she went on.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49My friend Gull wants to make an offering of thanks to the
0:09:49 > 0:09:53goddess Freya for what she has and her brother's safe return from sea.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57Again, the man replied with a riddle.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01Tell me of Freya, the goddess of old.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04When she cries, she cries...
0:10:04 > 0:10:05Tears of gold!
0:10:05 > 0:10:09Charlotte seemed to have answered both the riddles correctly.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Maybe the third would mean he would
0:10:11 > 0:10:14finally give her some precious cowrie shells.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Tell me her chariot, lest they say that.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19Who pulls it along?
0:10:19 > 0:10:20It must be...
0:10:20 > 0:10:25Charlotte knew she knew it, if she could just remember.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28Cats!
0:10:28 > 0:10:32Here are the shells, as pretty as any.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34I'm only sorry I don't have many.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38The delicate little shells were so pretty and cool
0:10:38 > 0:10:40in colours of white, brown and pink.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42They seemed very precious indeed.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Go right back with hermit speed,
0:10:45 > 0:10:49taking with you the shells that you need.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51Thank you. Bye!
0:10:54 > 0:10:56Back came Charlotte...
0:10:57 > 0:10:59..in her hat, bag and boots.
0:11:01 > 0:11:06Over barren, windswept hills and through the dense, green ferns.
0:11:13 > 0:11:18Sigrid and Gull were busy decorating a shrine with flowers when...
0:11:18 > 0:11:20I got the cowrie shells!
0:11:20 > 0:11:22Thank you so much, Charlotte.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26I had to finish a lot of riddles with Afi, but I got them right.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28I'm sure you did.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31With these cowrie shells, I give thanks to the goddess Freya
0:11:31 > 0:11:35in the hope that soon she will return my brother safely.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39- MAN: Hello!- It's the men!
0:11:39 > 0:11:43- They're back!- They're back from the sea.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45- Sister!- Brother!
0:11:45 > 0:11:46Welcome home!
0:11:47 > 0:11:50These are my friends, Sigrid and Charlotte.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53They helped me honour the goddess Freya.
0:11:53 > 0:11:54Thank you.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56You're very welcome.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01I've got a present for you, Gull.
0:12:01 > 0:12:06It's a conch shell. I got it from a beautiful little island that I left
0:12:06 > 0:12:09many months ago. I've carried it with me ever since.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11I've never seen anything like it!
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- Thank you.- It's beautiful.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18It belongs here, next to the cowrie shells,
0:12:18 > 0:12:21as thanks for my brother's swift return.
0:12:22 > 0:12:23May I?
0:12:27 > 0:12:31That was that, the whole kit and caboodle.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Charlotte and the cowrie shells.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37Do you think it worked, making the offering to the goddess Freya?
0:12:37 > 0:12:39What I do know is,
0:12:39 > 0:12:42it's always good to be grateful for what we have and to
0:12:42 > 0:12:43remember how lucky we are.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46I'm very lucky to have you to visit me.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50And I'm very lucky to have such a wise great-aunt who can tell me
0:12:50 > 0:12:52stories any day of the week.
0:12:52 > 0:12:53So, tell me, Charlotte,
0:12:53 > 0:12:57what day of the week do we still remember Freya?
0:12:57 > 0:12:58I don't know.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00Think about it.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03- Friday?- Absolutely right!
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Oh, goodness me! Is that the time?
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Come on! Your mum will be here in a minute.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Now, how did those get there?
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Home time, Charlotte.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30- Thanks, Great Aunt Lizzie. - Cheery-bye, Charlotte.- Bye!