Ancient Legends. Tatiana Edel

it lies the very essence of human life. Yet no one has ever found it. Only one with a pure heart may uncover this secret. A man of greed, who seeks riches only for himself, will never see it. Even if he stands in the right place, mysterious forces will lead him astray, leaving him lost forever.”

      But Ivan was not afraid. His resolve only grew stronger. He wanted to uncover the meaning of life, to witness the unseen, and to bring happiness to all people. His father blessed him, placed him in a boat, and the family watched as he drifted away, hoping for his safe return and the good news he would bring. His mother, day and night, sat upon a rock, watching the horizon.

      Ivan sailed for a long time. A gentle wind carried his boat forward, guiding him on his journey. He did not know where any treasure might be buried, nor which path would lead him there.

      He crossed the lake, climbed the mountains, and wandered through valleys – but the treasure did not appear. Along the way, he performed good deeds, helping the weak and standing beside the strong to defend their land from invaders. He mastered many skills and trades, and at last, he decided it was time to return home. The mountains called to him – he knew his family had never stopped waiting for him.

      At last, he reached his homeland. The lake lay before him, shimmering in the sun. But as he approached, a thick mist rose over the water, and from within it, a boat slowly emerged. In it sat a silent figure.

      “Hey!” Ivan called. “Good health to you! Where are you headed?”

      The stranger did not reply, and his boat did not move. Then, suddenly, a bright ray of light burst through the mountain peaks, tearing the mist apart. In an instant, the mysterious traveler vanished – and with him, the sorceress’s dark magic disappeared. The light had triumphed over darkness.

      At first, Ivan was startled, but as the sun illuminated the mountain peaks, casting its golden glow upon the lake, a great joy filled his heart. He understood – this had been the Messenger of the Himalayas, the one the elders spoke of. It was a sign: he was on the right path.

      Yet, something was wrong – his boat would not move. Had it snagged on something? He would have to dive in and find out.

      Taking a deep breath, he plunged into the water. It was crystal clear, revealing the depths below. As he opened his eyes, he saw something resting on the lakebed – a small chest, glowing with a bright, ethereal blue light.

      Ivan resurfaced, filled his lungs with air, and dove again, this time reaching for the chest. He grasped it and returned to the boat. Turning it over in his hands, he saw no keyhole, yet it would not open. No matter, he thought. I will open it at home. He set off toward the shore.

      There, his family waited, as they always had. His mother wept with joy, his father beamed with pride – Ivan had returned, and he had brought a great gift with him. At a glance, his father understood: this was the buried treasure.

      And then, as soon as Ivan stepped onto the shore, the chest let out a soft chime – and opened on its own.

      A quiet melody flowed from within, seeping into their hearts. And with it came a great awakening. Their spirits were lifted, their strength renewed, and a deep, noble purpose filled their souls.

      “No more sitting here in waiting,” Ivan declared. “It is time to return to the people. To build a new life and serve the Light.”

      “Oh, my son,” his mother whispered, “last night, I had a dream. I saw us living in a grand house, adorned with carved wood. I saw the Prophet Elijah himself harvesting rye in our fields. Saint George tending our horses. Saint Nicholas watching over our herds. And a musician – a guslar – came to our home, singing of the highest wisdom, the kind that brings true joy. And we were given that joy because we worked with honest hands and a pure heart. Such a dream I had!”

      “That,” Ivan said, “is how a person should live – if his soul serves the Light, bringing goodness and knowledge to his people.”

      He helped his parents into the boat, and together, they set off toward the world. And all the while, the chest in their hands glowed softly, carrying forth its sacred Blessing.

      The Tale of the Varangians

      I will tell you of ancient times, of distant lands known as Scandinavia. When the calendar had only just marked the fifth century, a great misfortune befell the northern lands. Endless rains fell for days and nights, rivers overflowed their banks, and roads turned to impassable swamps. The sun ceased to shine with its bright, life-giving light. Instead, it glowed dimly, like the moon, its rays hidden. Even at midday, the sunlight was not golden but bluish, and objects cast no shadows.

      A massive meteorite had struck the earth, and to make matters worse, a volcano erupted, spewing ash into the sky. A black dust swirled in the air, making it hard to breathe. A bitter cold gripped the land – so severe that even the northern folk, accustomed to harsh winters, shivered under its weight.

      In fertile Sweden, vast plains stretched wide, perfect for growing grain and grazing livestock. But in neighboring Norway, a land of mountains and fjords, there were only narrow strips of arable land. Most people survived by fishing. Yet in those days, there were no modern nets or tools, and life was hard. Sons were born, but there was no land left for them to inherit. So, little by little, people abandoned their farms and set off into the unknown, searching for new lands where they might find a better life.

      Three hundred years passed before the sun shone once more over Scandinavia. Fields bloomed again, villages thrived, and new generations were born and raised. But once again, there was not enough land for everyone. And so, the northern people turned their gaze to the south. There, fertile lands lay waiting – low-lying coasts with rich soil, where livestock could graze freely.

      The Scandinavians had long been known for their skill in building ships. They crafted such magnificent longships that they belonged in a museum. Each ship was manned by twenty rowers, who took turns at the oars every hour. These ships were so well-built that they could cross both shallow waters and narrow rivers with ease. The men who sailed them were called Vikings.

      Many rivers, seas, and new lands fell under their command. Their swift ships reached the shores of Greenland and North America five hundred years before Christopher Columbus opened the way for the rest of the world. Such were these men.

      Of course, not all Norwegians set out to conquer new lands. Many remained peaceful farmers and merchants. Some expeditions were sent solely for trade, to exchange goods in distant lands. Their devoted wives would bid them farewell with tears in their eyes, never knowing if they would return – for the seas were treacherous, and battles in far-off lands were ruthless.

      In one village, there lived a farmer named Ari with his family. When hard times came, he decided to prepare a ship and sail beyond the seas – to trade his goods and see the lands beyond. Two of his closest friends chose to join him, loading their own wares onto the vessel.

      But none of them knew that, along with their cargo, something sinister had found its way aboard – the seeds of an evil, enchanted weed. These cursed plants grew at an unnatural speed, sprouting massive, living vines. They longed for a new home, despising the rocky shores of Norway. They sought soft, fertile soil where they could spread endlessly, choking out all life with their tangled roots.

      On the first day, the ships sailed smoothly. On the second day, Ari noticed something strange – a faint creaking sound from the hull. He mentioned it to his companions. They listened carefully, and indeed; a deep, eerie crackling echoed through the wooden planks.

      They went below deck to inspect their cargo, and there, twisted, gnarled roots had already spread their tendrils across the sacks of trade goods. Worse still, the vines hissed when they approached, as if guarding their domain.

      The