Childs Story Garden | Page 2

looked at them all. Then he said: "A
giant has come into the country, who says he is the most wonderful
smith of all. He says he has made a coat of armor that no sword can
pierce. I have worked day and night, and cannot make a strong sword.
Who is willing to try for me?"
The boys all hung their heads, for they knew not how to help Mimer.
Then Siegfried stood before his master and said: "Let me try, oh,
Mimer!" And the master was willing. Siegfried went to work at once,
and for seven long days he did not leave his place at the anvil.
At the end of the time he brought to Mimer a sword that was strong and
bright. "We will try it," said Mimer, and called together all the boys,
and took them to a little stream near the shop. Mimer then took a single
thread of wool and threw it into the water. As it was carried along,
Mimer took the sword and held it before the thread. The water carried
the thread along until it reached the sword. Then one half of the thread
passed to the right of the sword and the other to the left, and the thread
was not moved from its course. "This is a good blade," said Mimer
proudly. But Siegfried was not satisfied. He took the sword and broke it
in pieces and put it into the fire again. For three long weeks Siegfried
worked patiently at the anvil. Then he brought to Mimer a sword that
was sharper and brighter and stronger than the first.
Again the boys were taken to the little stream, and this time a handful
of wool was thrown into the water. When it reached the edge of the
sword half of the wool passed to the right and half to the left of the
sword, and not one single thread was moved from its place. Siegfried,
however, was not satisfied, and again broke the sword into pieces and

put it back into the fire.
Patiently and faithfully he worked for seven long weeks. The sword
that he brought to Mimer now was stronger and brighter and more
beautiful than either of the others. The handle was wound with flowers,
and the edge was as bright as the lightning.
This time, when the boys gathered at the little stream, a pack of wool
was thrown into the water. When the wool reached the edge of the
blade, half passed to one side and half to the other, and not one thread
was moved from its place.
"We will give it another trial," said Siegfried. He ran quickly to the
shop and paused a moment before the great anvil. Then he swung the
sword, once, twice, thrice, about his head, and then brought it down
onto the iron. There was no noise, but the great anvil fell apart, and the
sword was as sharp and bright as ever.
"This is the best I can do," said Siegfried. "Good master, my sword is
done!" Then Mimer sent his swiftest messenger to the king to tell him
that he was ready to meet the giant.
The day of the contest came. Mimer's friends sat on one side of the
road, the giant's friends on the other. At the top of the hill the two
masters were to meet, the giant with his armor, Mimer with his sword.
Soon a mighty shout arose! The giant, wearing the wonderful coat of
glittering steel, came up the hill. He sat down on a huge rock at the top
of the hill. As the people waited, a queer little man was seen coming
slowly up the hill. His back was bent, and his white hair hung about his
shoulders. At his side he carried a sword so bright that the lightning
seemed to play about its edge, as he walked.
Slowly he went to the top of the hill and stood before the giant. It was
Mimer, the master. He loosed the sword from his side and raised it
above his head. "Are you ready?" he asked. "Yes; strike," said the giant,
laughing, for he was not afraid. One, two, three times the sword flashed
about Mimer's head. Then it fell again at his side. "I do not wish to hurt
you," he said, "but if you will take off your armor and place it on that
stone, I will show you what this wonderful blade can do." The giant
only laughed again--laughed so loud and so long that the very earth
seemed to tremble. Then he took off the armor and laid it on the rock.
Mimer stepped back, raised the sword again, swung it about his head
until the light seemed to blind the people.