The Wonderful Solstice Tale of

Frau Berta & Gnasher Skeggi

An old German folk tale retold by Kathleen Barger-Harbert

for her granddaughter, Hannah Irene

December 2001

Come gather around the fire children and sit very still , and I will tell you the wonderful story of Frau Berta and Gnasher Skeggi:

Every year about this time of year when the days are short and the nights are long, children know they must be good because Mother Berta is coming. If they have been good children, she brings wonderful gifts; but if they have been naughty then this story has a different ending.

The weak winter sun sets all too quickly behind the frozen hill and the people prepare for the longest , darkest night: the winter solstice. THAT is when Mother Berta can be seen trudging through the snow from under the black forest trees. Her black hat, with a sprig of holly berries sets on top of her long silver hair. A heavy black cloak sets on her shoulders and covers her tattered red dress which is frayed at the hem but sparkling with frost. With each step through the snow, a glimpse of pure white petticoat is seen. Across her back is slung a large sack tied with a golden cord.

.At her side is her ever faithful companion, Gnasher Skeggi. Gnasher Skeggi is a huge he-goat! His long shaggy coat and great spiraling horns bob and sway in step with Mother Berta. His golden eyes light the path they walk. Of all the animals in the world there is no animal that has the eyes of a goat.... have you ever seen them? It is said that all goats gained their wise golden eyes as a gift from Gnasher himself.

But wait, is that someone at the door I hear? Mother Berta knocks once, knocks twice, knocks three times and the door flies open! The cold winter wind blows snow in a swirl around her and through the door. “ Merry Greetings” she cries! “Have you all been good?”

“Oh yes, Grandmother! “ the children cry and they rush to greet her, pulling her towards a bench by the fire. Gnasher Skeggi lies down on the rug before the hearth at her feet as the children settle against him in cozy comfort. From her skirts, Mother Berta pulls oranges and cookies and popcorn balls which she hands to all the children giving each a hug in turn.

“Now. who’s hungry? “ asked Mother Berta? “We are” reply the chidren, “but we have no food”. Mother Berta peaks under the heavy iron lid on the kettle in the hearth and indeed it is empty. “Hmm, this will never do” she says. Gnasher Skeggi reaches his great head towards Mother Berta and places his whiskery chin on her knee as Mother Berta reaches out a gnarled hand to stroke him gently. “What say you old fellow?”

Both Mother Berta and Gnasher Skeggi rise slowly to their feet and announce that the children of the world shall survive the winter! Mother Berta raises the lid of the kettle and Gnasher Skeggi jumps quickly in. The lid comes down, bang! Then to the childrens amazement, the lid comes up again and what do you think they saw? A savory stew with carrots and potatoes and onions and meat topped with fat fluffy dumplings! A heavenly aroma filled the cabin and the children rushed for bowls and plates.

All ate their fill and when they were done the children thanked Mother Berta for this magical feast. They thanked the garden for the carrots and potatoes and onions They thanked the wheat that made the flour that made the dumplings. But most of all they thanked Gnasher Skeggi for his sacrifice so that they might survive the long winter.

With full stomachs and thankful hearts, the children one by one fell asleep in front of the warm hearth as Mother Berta sang them a lullaby of spring. When the last fell asleep, Mother Berta reached into the empty pot and pulled out the bones of her beloved Gnasher Skeggi. She placed each bone carefully into her sack which she then tied with a golden cord. She wrapped the cord deosil once, deosil twice, and deosil three times around; then laid her weary head upon the sack and fell into a dreamless sleep.

In the morning, the children awoke with the first sunlight streaming in through the frosted windowpane. “Wake up grandmother, something is moving in your sack!” they cried. “Go away, can’t you let an old woman rest? “she complained, (as a smile began at the corner of her mouth). “No, truly!” they insisted, “there is something moving in the sack beneath your head!” . “Oh very well, let’s see what the new day has brought”. Slowly she sat up, yawning and stretching. “Hurry Grandmother! What’s in the sack?”

Mother Berta pulled the sack towards her which was indeed jumping and squirming as if it were full of jumping beans! She unwrapped the golden cord widdershins once, widdershins twice and widdershins once more.... and out jumped a baby Gnasher Skeggi! His golden curls bouncing on his pretty head from which sprouted the tiny nubs of new little horns. With one great leap, he was in Mother Berta’s lap, bleating wildly as the children clapped their tiny hands with joy.

After a happy breakfast of blueberry pancakes and hot apple cider, it was time for Mother Berta to go. The young Gnasher Skeggi was prancing impatient at the door, his tiny hoof tapping on the doorsill... tapping once, tapping twice, tapping three times and the door sprang open. “Goodbye my dears” said Mother Berta over her shoulder. “See you next year when the days grow short again.” ... “until then, Nature will provide”

“Goodbye Mother Berta... Goodbye Gnasher Skeggi!” they cried from the doorway, as the old grandmother and her companion walked back up the path disappearing at length into the dark shadows of the forest.