A Tale of Bödvar-Bjarki and Hjalti
Jul. 10th, 2020 01:17 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ndrosenAt the virtual USPTO Toastmasters meeting Thursday, I gave a “Connect with Storytelling” speech about Bodhvar Bjarki and Hjalti, two warriors at the court of King Hrólf Kraki. The mighty warrior Bjarki arrives from Norway, befriends the timid servant boy later to be known as Hjalti, drags the boy out with him when he goes to meet and slay a dragon which has been raiding the king’s cattle, and feeds him the dragon’s heart, from which he gains strength and courage. Later, the two of them, together with Hrólf himself and other warriors, fight to the death when Hrolf’s half sister Skuld and her husband Hjorvardh lead a host against their overlord.
The tale seemed to make a good impression on the audience, although it might have been more impressive in person, if I had not been holding a telephone to deliver the speech. I first read a version of Hrólf Kraki’s Saga as a child, and later, as an adult, read the great Poul Anderson’s version.
The tale seemed to make a good impression on the audience, although it might have been more impressive in person, if I had not been holding a telephone to deliver the speech. I first read a version of Hrólf Kraki’s Saga as a child, and later, as an adult, read the great Poul Anderson’s version.
