rost
Giants from their cold Northern home of ice and snow sent forth cruel
blasts which nipped the buds, withered the flowers of spring, and
saddened the hearts of men. So, one day, that mighty Asa who is called
Thor determined to go forth and teach these Giant folk how to behave
themselves better. Calling for his chariot of brass, which was drawn
by two mighty goats, from whose teeth and hoofs sparks continually
flew, he was about to drive away, when Red Loki came running up and
begged to be taken too.

To this Thor agreed, for he had rather a liking for Loki, in spite of
his mischievous tricks, and in a few minutes they were hurtling
through the air at a great rate.

All day long they drove, and at evening time reached the borders of
Giantland, where stood the hut of a poor peasant. Seeing this, the two
Asas determined to try to obtain shelter for the night.

The peasant was a good-hearted fellow, and gladly welcomed them under
his roof; but he had only a bit of black bread to offer them for
supper, and this was by no means a satisfactory meal for two hungry
gods.

But Thor was quite equal to the occasion.

"Fear not," said he kindly, "I will provide meat in plenty for you and
your family as well as for ourselves."

Then he went out, killed his two goats, cut them up and threw them
into a great cauldron, which the peasant's wife, at his request, had
set to boil upon the fire. The skins, meantime, he spread with care
upon the floor.

The stew was soon cooked to perfection, whereupon Thor invited the man
and his wife and children to eat as much as they would.

"Be careful, however," said he, "not to break a single bone, but to
throw them all into the skins spread out on the floor."

This they promised to do, but during the meal Red Loki, wishing to see
what would happen if they disobeyed, persuaded the boy, Thialfi, the
peasant's son, to break one of the bones in order to suck out the
marrow, saying that no one could possibly know that he had done so.
Then they lay down to sleep, the bones of the animals wrapped in the
goat skins being upon the floor.

Next morning, just before daybreak, Thor arose, and, having stretched
himself, took up his mighty hammer and gave the goat skins a tap.
Immediately the goats sprang up, as much alive as ever they were, and
perfectly well, save that one of them limped.

Then Thor knew at once that his commands had been disobeyed, and the
whole household soon knew it too. His