April 17, 2003
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Today’s mythical character of note:
The tree of life, Yggdrasill, had its roots deep down in the underworld. On these roots, the dragon Nidhögg was feeding himself, while a deer was eating the leaves of the tree. There were other animals, too, finding their place of rest in this enormous tree at the center of the world; a mighty eagle was living in its top. However; between the dragon and the eagle, a little squirrel was running up and down all the time. Its name was Ratatosk, and it was disturbing the peace.
OR
Running along its trunk and branches was the squirrel Ratatosk (branch-borer) who incessantly bore the tales and comments of the dragon and the eagle to each other, inciting them both.
OR
An eagle and a hawk sit high in the branches of the tree while the squirrel Ratatosk runs up and down its trunk. Ratatosk carries messages and news from the great dragon Nithogg to the eagle and hawk. Thus the squirrel represents strife.
The question is, does the squirrel enjoy the drama his gossip precipitates, or is it simply his nature?
