Odin's Monster

In Viking Age Iceland, the young poet and storyteller, Thord Cat, defies the dangerous Kveldulf Witch.

Kveldulf threatens to use his sorcery to create a monster, and send it to kill Thord Cat, unless he makes a poem in his praise.

Thord Cat resigns himself to death - but both he and Kveldulf Witch have reckoned without the old beggar-woman, Bergthora...

I have often read this story in schools, and consider it 'a banker' as it has never yet failed to grip children and staff alike!