The cherry staircase
Surely cherry trees and courage go together? When you think of courage, associations with the Brothers Lionheart and Cherry Tree Valley are inevitable. Perhaps especially for little Crusty, who, despite feeling so scared and small, has incredible bravery when it counts. But courage is something that characterises many of Astrid Lindgren’s story heroes. Madicken, Ronja, Pippi and Emil are all characters with a strong sense of justice, which is often expressed through their courageous actions.
The garden terraces of courage
In the garden room of courage, we open gates, climb stairs, cross footbridge. For company along the way, there are light cherry trees, fragrant bunches of lesser calamint and aster hedges full of butterflies. But there are also more unruly plants growing here – such as thistles and stinging nettles – that require a little more from us to appreciate.
“I asked Jonathan why he had to embark upon something so dangerous. He could just as well sit at home by the fire in Ryttargården in comfort. Jonathan told me how there are things you have to do, even if they are dangerous. ‘Why is that?’ I asked. ‘Because if you don’t you are not a human being, you’re nothing but a little louse,’ Jonathan replied.”
From ‘The Brothers Lionheart’ by Astrid Lindgren
The nettle pastures
Upon entering the garden room of courage, you’ll face a further challenge. Do you dare to balance on the narrow footbridge, over a sea of stinging nettles?
