Learning2008“I still don’t understand! Why o why do we need to learn all this? Who cares how the Vikings built their ships or what they wore? I hate studying history, I hate it!”
“Oh don’t be a brat! Yesterday you were complaining about biology.”
“Don’t get me started on biology! Growth zones and plant genetics, oh my god! What could be more boring! I hate school!”
“You should be glad we have such a good school system. In many countries families have to pay and still get much less education.”
“Yadda yadda… you are always so serious and dutiful. Do you
like studying?”
“Well, yes. I’m interested in learning things.”
“Auughh! There is an entire chapter on Viking religion! We have put this superstition behind us a thousand years ago, so why am I forced to learn this?”
“What would you rather study then?”
“Something useful for the modern world! Computer science! Marketing! Math is ok, it’s useful in finance. And languages! English is clearly the most important subject, don’t you agree?”
Year 0“Oh grandma, why do I have to learn to shoot? I’m a pacifist, you know that!
“I am sorry, cupcake, but everybody must learn. So, bag it! And hold the stock firmly to your shoulder. The kick will hurt you if you hold it loose”
“But grandma! I can’t shoot at anything anyways!”
“Dear, I believe you think so now. But if the monsters find us, you will need to be able to protect yourself. Or think of it as protecting us all. Anyways, you are lucky to be around to even think about it. Now, aim.”
“How can you tell if I’m learning anything when we can’t really fire?”
“I can tell your current stance is useless…"
*Sigh* "I reckon we must spend one round per each student to make you learn about the kick. Here, try now.”
*BANG* “Auuuugghhh! That really hurt! Isn’t it supposed to be the other end that hurts?”
“I told you to hold it firmly, puppy. Maybe you’ll remember now. If that happened in battle, the monster would get you while you are moaning!”
“I hate learning to shoot! It’s scary, and unpleasant, and now it’s even painful!”
Year 17“Dad, tell me more about the “computers”! What were they made of? How did they work?”
“I’m sorry, Sigurd. I don’t know much of their workings. I was studying marine biology at the time. Conservation of the southern seas.”
“Why would you study something about faraway places?”
“Well, my plan was to move somewhere warm and work there.”
“Move? What do you mean?”
“Go live somewhere else. Like in the Caribbean. Remember? We looked at the map.”
“You mean you could actually
go to those places?! Wow! Tell me more! Have you been outside Dalsnes? For real? You must tell me all about every place you have been! I love learning about the world!”
“I’ll tell you what. You keep up your English studies. Maybe someday someone can find some more books in English, and you can learn from those!”
“Awww, I don’t like studying English! I’d rather listen to you, dad!”
“I know, puppy. But it’s important. If there are any other survivors, English would be useful.”
“Why you say that? Why couldn’t we speak in Norwegian?”
“Not everybody spoke Norwegian, you know. It was a small language.”
“How is that possible? Everybody speaks Norwegian! Even people in the faraway places like Rana!”
“Well, son, I have to go, it’s my rounds today. You study hard and maybe there will be time to talk later tonight.”
Year 40“Seriously, why do I have to learn this? I don’t even understand what these things are! What is
an internet?”
“Well, Asbjørn, you know it’s always useful to know something about the past. Grandma and granddad wouldn’t have survived if they didn’t.”
“Dad, I know the Old World is a big deal for you and granddad, but really. Wake up and smell the sea! It’s not going to come back, no matter how much you dream! Just let me train shooting and hunting an boating! Like everybody else! I want to go work in the Army!”
“But it’s so dangerous!”
“Honey, you worry too much. You always have. I’m sure he’d do well in the Army. I don’t think he’d make a good skald.”
“But, but… ok. I guess you are right. But you have to keep up the English. There is so much information in English, somewhere out there.”
“I want to learn strategy too! I want to become a general!”
“Well, in that case you’ll have to study more than just shooting. Patience, my son.”
Year 63“… and so I told them I quit school. Now you can finally assign me to a hunting party full time!”
“What’s that now? Quit school? Why would you do that?”
“I
haaate school! You know that! Reading is hard, and there’s never ever anything interesting. All the good stuff is out there!”
“But you need to have background studies to learn strategy and leadership!”
“Strategy, blaah! The way to learn is by the soles of your feet! I can’t learn by studying some dusty books! How could anyone write a gook about tracking? Or close range combat?”
“There are other things in life than just shooting and sword-fighting. Your mum and I studied many years in the Academy, just to be able to get our positions!”
“Nahh, I’m not interested in some headquarters leadership anyways. Just give me a troll, a rifle and a blade, and I’ll learn what I need to learn!”
Notes: I have assumed Aksel is 20 years old* in Y0 and that Y0 = 2013. We know that Sigrun was born in Y58, Between these I decided Sigurd to be born in Y5 and Asbjørn in Y30.
*I asked my son and my husband how old they thought that Aksel is in the prologue. Husband said 15 and son said 30
I take he's living on his own so I made him a 20-year old student.
