The Story of the Beginning

The people who lived long ago in the far-off lands of the north watched the wonderful things that happened out of doors every day, just as we do. But they did not know about the one loving God, who is the Father of all, who made them and the world, and rules it by his wise laws. So they thought there must be a great many unseen powers living in the clouds, in the wind, in the storms, and the sunshine, and doing all those wonders that no man could do.

And so those northern people, who were our own forefathers, came to believe in many gods—one for the sun, another for the thunder, another for the flowers, and so on.

In the long, dark winters, when the bright sun had gone away from them, these northmen had time to think many thoughts about the powers of frost, wind, and storms, which they called giants. They used to tell stories and sing songs about the short, bright summer, the thawing of streams and lakes, the coming of the birds and flowers.

With great joy the people saw the bright sun-god, Baldur, come back to them in the spring after the long darkness, and knew that they owed their lives to his friendly warmth and light.

As we read the stories, or myths, told by those people long ago, we can see that they were meant to explain the world around us. At first the stories were told and sung from father to son; but later, when people learned to write, these myths were written down and kept with great love and care.

This is the story they told of the Beginning. At first, before living creatures were in the world, it was all rough and without order. Far to the north it was very cold, for ice and snow were everywhere. Toward the south there was fire, and from the meeting of fire and cold a thick vapor formed, from which sprang a huge giant. Looking about for food, he saw a cow, who was also searching for something to eat. The ice tasted salty, and when the cow began to lick it, a head appeared, and at last the whole figure of a god stood before her.

From these two, the giant and the god, came the two great races of giants and gods, who were always enemies. The giants were constantly trying to break into Asgard, the home of the gods, in the sky. The gods watched and planned to keep the giants out and drive them back to their stronghold, Utgard. Our world, where men and women lived, was between Utgard and Asgard. It was called Midgard, and around this Midgard world, under the ocean, coiled a monstrous serpent who grew so long that his tail grew down his throat. He was called the Midgard serpent.

A wonderful tree named Yggdrasil connected all the worlds. This great ash tree had its roots in Utgard, and its branches reached so high as to overshadow Asgard. Its three main roots were watered by three fountains, and near one sat the wise giant Mimir. The Norns, three sisters, also lived at the roots of Yggdrasil and watered it every day.

A little gray squirrel was always running up and down the tree, jerking his tail and hurrying to tell the news to everyone. He was so eager to be first that he often twisted the truth, causing trouble to himself and others.

The gods and goddesses together were called the Æsir, and their chief and father was Odin. His lofty throne rose high in the midst of Asgard, the sacred city built for their beautiful home.

From Asgard, arching down to the lower world, was a rainbow bridge called Bifröst, the trembling bridge. Upon this the dwellers in Asgard could travel every day, all except the mighty Thor. His thunder chariot was too heavy for the trembling bridge, so he had to go a longer way.

After the gods had made men and women and taught them to live on the earth in the world of Midgard, Odin looked forth one morning from his heavenly seat to see what further work waited for his helping hand.

He noticed far below him a race of small beings, some busy with mischievous deeds, others sitting idle, doing nothing. Odin sent for all these little people to come to him. When they reached Asgard and entered his palace of Gladsheim, they found all the Æsir sitting with Father Odin at their head.

The little people waited in a crowd near the door, wondering what would happen, while Hermod, the messenger of the gods, ran to tell his master they had come.

Then the Allfather spoke to the dwarfs about their evil deeds among men. He told the naughtiest ones they must go and live underground, looking after the great furnace fire in the middle of the earth to keep it always burning. Some must get coal to feed the fire, others were to have charge of gold, silver, and precious stones under the rocks. Not one of these busy dwarfs must ever appear during the day; only by night might they leave their tasks.

"And now," said Odin, turning to the idle ones, "what have you been doing?"

"We were doing nothing, so we could not have harmed anyone. We pray you to spare us!" they cried.

"Do you not know that those who sit idle when they should be doing good also deserve punishment?" said Odin. "I shall put you in charge of all trees and flowers, and send one of the Æsir to teach you, so you may do some good in the world."

Then the little elves went to work among the flowers, and Frey, the bright god of summer and sunshine, was a kind master to them. He taught them how to open folded buds in the sunshine, fill the honey cups and lead bees to find their food, hatch birds' eggs and teach the little ones their songs, and each night fetch water for dewdrops to hang on every leaf and blade of grass.

When their work was finished and the moon had risen, these busy elves and fairies enjoyed many a happy evening dancing on the green by moonlight. And so the world of Midgard was filled with busy work and play.

Even now, in our time, the people in the lands of the north and in Germany have many old sayings and stories from long ago. A beautiful white flower in the north is called Baldur's Brow because it is so pure and bright, like the face of the dear sun-god Baldur. In some places, when farmers gather their harvest of grain, they leave a little bunch standing in the field for Father Odin's horse.

We have some English names to remind us of those old tales of our forefathers. Tuesday is named for Tyr, or Tiu, the brave god who gave his right hand to save his friends; Wednesday, or Wodensday, named for Odin; Thursday for Thor, the thunder-god; and Friday for either the goddess Frigga, or Freyja, or for Frey the god of summer who ruled the fairies.