Mystical Places 3: Cockaigne

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​Mystical Places 3: Cockaigne

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​You might have heard of Cockaigne before - it is called Schlaraffenland in German. People told each other stories about this legendary place in the middle ages. During that time, the people didn’t have much food, and some things, like sugar, were so expensive (= teuer) that most people could never eat it.

​The legend says that in order to get to Cockaigne, you have to find a special cave. In this cave, there is a wall made out of sweet porridge (=Süßer Brei). You have to eat your way through it and then land in this mystical land. 

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​cave = Höhle

porridge = Haferbrei​

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​In Cockaigne, there is food everywhere. There are rivers and lakes made of sweet milk. Mountains and stones are made of cheese. All animals that run around are already grilled, so you can just take them and eat them. The paths and roads are made of cookies. 

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already = schon, bereits

path = Pfad, Weg

road = ​Straße

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​The forests in Cockaigne are special, too: beautiful dresses, coats and shirts grow on tree branches. On the bushes, you can find jewelry like rings and necklaces.

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In Cockaigne, you can also find the fountain of youth. Thanks to this fountain, no one ever becomes old, the people in Cockaigne can stay young and healthy forever. No one ever has to work or worry about anything.

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branch = Ast

necklace = Halskette​

fountain = (Spring)brunnen

fountain of youth = Jungbrunnen​

Multiple Select

In order to get to Cockaigne, you need to... (2 correct)

• ride a boat into the middle of a lake

• find a mysterious special cave

• ask a beggar for the way

• eat your way through a wall of sweet porridge

Multiple Select

In Cockaigne, there is/are... (3 correct)

• ...food everywhere

• ...a fountain of youth that keeps everyone young

• ...a powerful king

• ...a forest in which dresses and jewelry grow

Multiple Select

Why was Cockaigne such a fascinating myth in the middle ages? (2 correct)

• Because there was no meat at all

• Because people often didn't have enough to eat

• Because some food, like sugar, was very expensive

Open Ended

If you were in Cockaigne, what would you want to find there? Or: what would you like best?