Thor in the Little Boat

Part One · The Giant's Farm

Thor was the strongest of the Norse gods. He put on a plain coat. He did not want anybody to recognize him.

He walked a long way. At dark, he reached a giant's farm. The giant, Hymir, let the stranger stay.

At dawn, Hymir got ready to go fishing. "May I row with you?" asked Thor politely.

The giant looked at him carefully. "You are young and small," he said. "You will be cold and tired."

Thor kept his temper. "Row as far as you like," he said. "We will see who asks to turn back."

Part Two · Out to Sea

Thor took a great lump of meat for bait. Hymir pushed the little boat into the water. They both climbed in.

Thor rowed so hard that the boat seemed to fly. Hymir, in the front, could hardly keep up.

"Here is the place for flatfish," said Hymir. "No," said Thor. "We will go farther."

The land was a thin gray line. Hymir looked pale. "The Midgard Serpent lives here," he said.

Thor only smiled. He rowed a little farther. Then he said, "This is the perfect spot."

Part Three · The Line

Thor tied an enormous hook to his line. The hook was as big as an anchor. He put the meat on it and dropped it in.

Down went the line to the sea floor. Nothing happened for a long while.

Far below, the enormous serpent smelled the meat. It swallowed the hook. Then it pulled away with terrible strength.

The line went tight. Thor pulled so hard that his feet pressed the boat.

Up, up came the serpent. Its enormous head rose beside the boat. Its eyes were like round shields.

Hymir turned as white as snow with terror. He snatched out his knife and cut the line. The serpent slid back into the sea.

Thor was not pleased. The boat was filling, though, so they rowed home. The Norse said the serpent still lies in the sea.