The story occurred in Northland where the days are short and nights are long. When snow falls, people go sledging. Children wear heavy woolen clothes and look like bear cubs. The children are told stories to teach them important lessons. Travelling far and wide Saint Peter approached a little woman. She was making cakes on the hearth. As Saint Peter was hungry and tired, he asked the woman to give him only one cake. The little woman made a very small piece of the cake but she was surprised at its size. She then made an even smaller cake, still, its size was big for her. She kept all the cakes on the shelf and turned away Saint Peter. Her behaviour irritated Saint Peter. He cursed the selfish woman. He thought that she could not have all the comforts of human life and that she must bore the hard, dry wood to get her food. The selfish woman was turned in to a woodpecker and flew out of the chimney black like coal. The selfish woman had a red cap like the woodpecker. He clothes were burnt black as she went through the chimney. The villagers saw her digging into the bark of trees for food as a woodpecker

The poem "A Legend of the North Land" by Phoebe Cary is a beautiful tale of love, sacrifice, and devotion. The poem is set in the cold, desolate North Land, where a young maiden named Ulrica lives with her father, the King. Ulrica is beautiful and kind, and she has many suitors who want to marry her.

The Story of Ulrica and Baldur

One day, Ulrica meets a young hunter named Baldur, and they fall in love. However, the King does not approve of their relationship, as Baldur is poor and not of noble birth. Ulrica's father forbids her from seeing Baldur and arranges for her to marry a wealthy prince from a neighboring kingdom.

Ulrica's Sacrifice

Ulrica is heartbroken, but she decides to sacrifice her happiness for the sake of her father and her kingdom. On the day of her wedding, Ulrica dresses in her finest clothes and goes to the church. However, instead of marrying the prince, she walks to the altar and declares her love for Baldur. The King is furious and orders Baldur to be taken away and executed.

Baldur's Death and Ulrica's Grief

Baldur is taken to the forest and tied to a tree, where he is left to die in the cold. Ulrica finds out about Baldur's fate and rushes to the forest to save him. However, she arrives too late, and Baldur has already died of cold and hunger. Ulrica is devastated by Baldur's death and dies of grief soon afterward.

The Moral of the Story

The poem "A Legend of the North Land" teaches us about the power of love and sacrifice. Ulrica's love for Baldur was so strong that she was willing to sacrifice her own happiness for the sake of her father and her kingdom. Baldur's love for Ulrica was so pure that he was willing to die for her. The poem reminds us that true love is selfless and that it requires sacrifice and devotion.