After a long and successful hunt, the great Odin, lord of all the gods, returned to his vast mead-hall, Valhalla, to celebrate. Under his mighty arm he carried the giant wolf Fenrir. To the great table Odin strode and placed Fenrir upon it and held him there. Then, great Odin addressed the Einherjar and Valkyries.
“All who witness me, hear and know that I do not deceive!” he roared, “I will place my manstaff and red balder in the mouth of Fenrir and then withdraw them undamaged!” And, when all had gathered around him, the god did as he said he would, placing those parts in the mouth of the savage beast. As the lesser gods and elves and trolls watched in astonishment, Odin brought his iron chalice, which was called Morranar, down hard on the head of Fenrir and then removed his god-meat from the perilous jaws unbitten.
Taking a great draught from Morranar, Odin faced the throng. “I challenge any here to do the same,” he cried. “Any who dare shall receive a golden sword, a magical spinning wheel, and a hogshead of dragon’s blood, which can cure any ill.”
Not a man replied. But Uror, the once beautiful water sprite who had been turned into a hideous crone by Hel, Loki’s half-giantess daughter, after she became jealous of Uror’s beauty, spoke at last. “I shall perform that feat – but I entreat you, great Odin, do not strike my head with the chalice!”
