84 Nature Myths and Stories

The third night, when the same terrible dream
came to him, he was greatly troubled.

He told Odin, his father, and Frigga, his mother,
about it.

Odin, in great fear, called together his wisest
heroes.

They shook their heads but could do nothing to
help him.

Frigga cried, “It shall not be! J, his mother, will
save him.”

She went straight way to Heimdal, who guarded
the rainbow bridge.

Bifrost, which was the name of the bridge, was
the only path which led from Asgard to the earth.

Heimdal allowed: only those who lived in the
plain to pass over it.

All feared Heimdal, yet they loved him.

He could see to the ends of the world.

He could hear the wool growing on the sheep’s
back, and knew when each grass blade broke into
the sunshine.

Heimdal loved Balder and when he heard what
troubled Frigga, pitied her. He gave her his swift
black horse and showed her the way to the ends of
the earth.

For nine days and nights she traveled without
food or rest.

She asked everything she met to promise not to
harm Balder.- °