Uncle Ukki tells the story of Mother Holle

Uncle Ukki moved with the children to his winter-home and one day much to their surprise, a Raven delivered two little mousies onto their doorstep : Baby Sugar and her sister Lola.

Sugar could only sleep if Lola played a little song on her music box.

Of course they were received with open arms and they felt immediately at home.

One night the little ones were nicely tucked in, ready for their bedtime story.

 Uncle Ukki, we are a bit confused ! Ginny said

We don't really understand what the Sandman and Mother Holle got to do with each other.Can you please explain?

Oh my goodness little ones, didn't I tell you about them ? 

Well, it's a long story and a bit complicated but I try to tell it so you'll understand.

Mother Holle is very very old, maybe as old as the world.

She is the patroness of gnomes, spinners and weavers and she used to hang out with Wodan, the ancient German god.

Nowadays she lives in a European forest and she protects the castle of the Sandman. 

She can make snow by shaking her pillow and making her bed

If someone comes looking for the Sandman ( mainly manufacturers of sleeping pills ) she makes so much snow that these people get lost and  give up looking for him.

In ancient times, between Christmas until the first days of January,

she went on a Wild Hunt with Wodan.

They had an army of dead people, animals and fairies and went in  pursuit for the Wolf Fenrir who has eaten the Sun.

They always succeeded, that is why the Sun comes back in January.

During the Hunt Mother Holle also checks if the spinners and weavers had finished their yearly work and haven't been lazy.

Well, she is of course very old and she enjoys her peaceful life in the mountains now.

Her disappearing is very strange, so I hope the Sandman finds her soon. 

Hahahaa, you all fall asleep little ones !

Sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite :-)