Sleipnir and leap great distances, In addition to his ravens, Odin also had an eight-legged horse, dappled gray, named Sleipnir. Sleipnir was a magical creature able to leap great distances and fly through the air. It was widely agreed that he was the finest horse that ever lived, with his own share of intelligence and courage. Here is his story:
In the early days of Asgard, an unnamed builder came to the gods and offered to build a strong wall around their fine halls so they would be protected. This he could do, he said, in just three months, without the help of any man. This task seemed impossible and Odin and the other gods were dubious. "Well if I do succeed," the builder said, "I want the goddess Freya as my wife, and I want the sun and moon too.”
The gods didn’t think that this builder could possibly complete the task but they were wary about making such a deal. But the trickster god Loki said “Come on, don't be so skittish. You’ll have a good start on a magnificent wall and it won’t cost you a penny or one drop of sweat.” “Oh, one more thing,” said the builder, “I will need to use my horse.” The gods shook their heads but Loki convinced them that the horse would make little difference. So the bet was made.
The builder began his work with the aid of his horse, a great stallion named Svaoilfari. The horse did the work of twenty men and hauled enormous rocks, much to the surprise of the gods. The building went quite rapidly and when there were only three days left it was clear that the gods were going to lose the bet. They were very unhappy about this. Odin gathered them together to discuss the matter and the gods decided that the whole problem was Loki’s fault. “Loki,” they said, “You are to blame. You have to put a stop to this building and make sure that we don’t lose or you will suffer a terrible death.” Loki was very afraid and agreed to come up with a scheme.
That night the builder drove out to fetch stone with his stallion Svaðilfari. Suddenly, a magnificent mare ran out of the woods, called to the stallion, and raced away. The stallion tore himself from his owner's grip and ran after the mare without a backward glance. Around and around the woods the two horses ran, with the builder following behind them. They ran all night and everyone was so tired that little building got done and the gods won their bet.
Somewhat later, Loki gave birth to a gray foal with eight legs, Sleipnir, the best horse among gods and men.
In the early days of Asgard, an unnamed builder came to the gods and offered to build a strong wall around their fine halls so they would be protected. This he could do, he said, in just three months, without the help of any man. This task seemed impossible and Odin and the other gods were dubious. "Well if I do succeed," the builder said, "I want the goddess Freya as my wife, and I want the sun and moon too.”
The gods didn’t think that this builder could possibly complete the task but they were wary about making such a deal. But the trickster god Loki said “Come on, don't be so skittish. You’ll have a good start on a magnificent wall and it won’t cost you a penny or one drop of sweat.” “Oh, one more thing,” said the builder, “I will need to use my horse.” The gods shook their heads but Loki convinced them that the horse would make little difference. So the bet was made.
The builder began his work with the aid of his horse, a great stallion named Svaoilfari. The horse did the work of twenty men and hauled enormous rocks, much to the surprise of the gods. The building went quite rapidly and when there were only three days left it was clear that the gods were going to lose the bet. They were very unhappy about this. Odin gathered them together to discuss the matter and the gods decided that the whole problem was Loki’s fault. “Loki,” they said, “You are to blame. You have to put a stop to this building and make sure that we don’t lose or you will suffer a terrible death.” Loki was very afraid and agreed to come up with a scheme.
That night the builder drove out to fetch stone with his stallion Svaðilfari. Suddenly, a magnificent mare ran out of the woods, called to the stallion, and raced away. The stallion tore himself from his owner's grip and ran after the mare without a backward glance. Around and around the woods the two horses ran, with the builder following behind them. They ran all night and everyone was so tired that little building got done and the gods won their bet.
Somewhat later, Loki gave birth to a gray foal with eight legs, Sleipnir, the best horse among gods and men.
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