Long ago, Arild Ugerup, the son of a Danish nobleman, lived in Sweden. When King Erik of Sweden was crowned, Arild was a guest at the palace.
A war broke out between Denmark and Sweden and Arild was forced to go into the Danish navy. He was captured in battle and sent to prison in Sweden.
Arild had a childhood sweetheart named Thale. He promised Thale that they would marry when he returned from the war. Arild was afraid he would never get out of jail and that he would lose Thale forever. So he wrote King Erik a letter:
"I am in your prison now, but once I was your friend. Please grant me one wish. Let me go home to marry the girl I love. You have my word that I will return to prison as soon as I marry, plant one crop, and harvest it."
The King agreed. Arild went home and married Thale. He thought a lot about what he would plant in the spring.
In late fall, a royal messenger arrived. "The harvest is past," he said. "King Erik awaits your return."
"But my crop is not harvested," said Arild. "In fact, it hasn't even sprouted"
"What did you plant?" asked the messenger.
"Pine trees!" answered Arild.
When the King heard what Arild had done, he said, "Very clever! Trees take a long time to grow! You are too clever to be in prison." Arild stayed at home with Thale and lived happily ever after. A beautiful pine forest stands there as a symbol of their love.
Source: worksheetsplus.com/valentineWorksheets/valDayHarvest.html A Harvest of Love
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