Page 4 - THE LEGEND ... N-MODULE

To harness means to tie the reindeers with a rope to a sledge so that it can be used
for transportation.
Swift: something which runs very fast

The Northland region experiences severe cold conditions. It is a snowy area. The
reindeer is an animal which is found in this polar region. People tie the reindeers to
sledges and then the reindeers pull the sledges. He adds that the children look like
young ones of a bear because they wear funny looking clothes made of fur which is
like the furry skin of a bear.

Stanza 3
They tell them a curious story —
I don‘t believe ‘tis true;
And yet you may learn a lesson
If I tell the tale to you.

Curious: strange
In line 1 ‘they’ refers to the parents or elders and ‘them’ refers to the children or the
younger generation. The elders of the Northland region tell a strange and interesting
story to the younger generation. The poet says that he doesn’t think that the story is
true, but if he tells the story to the reader, maybe the reader could learn a lesson
from it. The story gives an important message.

Stanza 4
Once, when the good Saint Peter
Lived in the world below,
And walked about it, preaching,
Just as he did, you know,

Saint Peter: an apostle of Christ, a disciple or follower of Jesus Christ
Preaching: to give a religious talk