… becomes far more interesting when listening to some traditional legends of the city.
First, we (2A) looked at the statue of the Donauweibchen
in the Stadtpark. This beautiful mermaid supposedly made an appearance to warn fishermen in the winter that the ice on the Danube was going to suddenly melt, thus saving them from death by drowning. Unforunately, the fisherman’s son fell in love with her and waited and waited for her when fishing… until she came to get him. Sometimes, love hurts.
Later, we went to the Basiliskenhaus and learned more about this mythological monster which also made an appearance in Harry Potter 2. It is told that a bakery in the inner city had one of these creatures in its well. A bravehearted baker’s helper killed it by holding up a mirror to its face. Of course, he could later marry the baker’s maid in exchange for this brave deed. Sometimes, love doesn’t hurt.
The best thing about it was, that the kids understood most of the legends- told in English. HURRAY!
Mag. Eva Grabner