Myths and Legends—Northern Europe

Freddie Gay

Finland

The lights were created by the Arctic fox. This kind of fox only lives in the Arctic—a large， cold region in the far north of our planet. When one of these foxes played in the snow， it threw it into the air with its tail. The snow was then caught by the light of the moon which created the Northern Lights.

Scotland

The Northern Lights move around in the sky and the people of Scotland thought they showed dead soldiers from ancient times fighting each other. Some also believed that the lights were a sign that the country was about to face problems.

Sweden

While in Scotland the lights usually meant bad news， in Sweden they always meant good news. For example， fishermen believed they were a sign that a lot of fish were ready to be caught and farmers thought it a sign that a good harvest was coming.

Estonia

The lights were said to appear when whales were playing games in the sea. Perhaps the whales were creating the lights through these games？

Iceland

Icelanders （people from Iceland） thought that the lights helped pregnant women to give birth. However， this would only happen if the woman did not look at the lights.

Activity 1

Before you read， decide which word goes with which meaning

a. deal with

b. the long and thin part of the body at the bottom of many animals

c. when the food farmers grow is ready

d. a wild animal that looks similar to some kinds of dogs

e. a person who catches fish

Activity 2

The first paragraph of this reading text has five sentences （A-E）， but they are not in the correct order. Put the sentences into the correct order.

Legends of the Northern Lights

A Nowadays， science can explain the reason for why the lights occur.

B Read some of these and decide which you like best.

C However， for years different countries in northern Europe had their own wonderful stories about the lights.

D They give a spectacular display of colourful lights across the night sky.

E The Northern Lights appear in the far north or south of the world at certain times of the year.

Activity 3

Match the sentence below to the correct country or countries.

1. The Northern Lights appear when certain animals have fun.

2. The Northern Lights were a sign of good events ahead.

3. The Northern Lights caused people to worry.

4. The Northern Lights showed angry people.

5. The Northern Lights could help a certain group of people.

6. The Northern Lights may be caused by sea animals.

Activity 4

·? While in Scotland the lights usually meant bad news， in Sweden they always meant good news.

We use ‘while’ to compare two things. A word that means the same as ‘while’ is ‘whereas’.

·? Whereas in Scotland the lights usually meant bad news， in Sweden they always meant good news.

We can also put ‘whereas’ in the middle of the sentence.

·? In Scotland the lights usually meant bad news whereas in Sweden they always meant good news.

Notice that there is no comma when ‘whereas’ appears in the middle of a sentence.

Put each sentence into the correct order. Add missing punctuation.

1. huge Whereas my country is quite Russia is small

2. are whereas very dry wet rainforests are very Deserts

3. move their Dogs happy tails do when whereas cats not

4. football have Whereas teams have eleven five players basketball teams

5. the Northern almost Lights Whereas in cold only storms happen areas anywhere happen

Activity 5

Have you seen the Northern Lights before？ If so， how did you feel when you saw them. If you have not seen them before， would you like to？ Why？