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Brok

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in Scandinavian mythology, was a dwarf, the brother of Sindri, both well skilled in working metals. The sons of Iwaldes, dwarfs likewise, had finished three great costly articles: golden hair, which, as soon as it touched the head of an Asa, would grow fast; the never failing spear Gungnar, and the ship Skidbladner. Loke made a bet with Brok that the latter's brother could not make articles equally costly. The prize was Loke's head. Sindri began his work; he placed a boar's hide in the fire, and bade Brok blow until he returned; during Sindri's absence Loke came in the form of a hornet and stung, but Brok endured it until Sindri drew a golden boar from the fire, whose bristles shone in the dark, and which could travel faster over land and sea than the swiftest horse. Thereupon Sindri placed a piece of gold in the fire. Brok was told to blow again, and the hornet stung him still more, until Sindri brought out a golden ring, from which every ninth night eight equally costly rings sprung. Thereupon Brok began to blow again but now Loke stung him on the eyelids, so that the blood streamed down his cheeks and he could not see any more. Then Sindri came and drew out a hammer, which never failed in hitting an object, and crushed whatever stood in its way, and always returned back to the hands of its owner. Now they proceeded with their treasures to the Asas, and Freir, Odin, and Thor were the judges. To the first was given the golden boar, to the second the ring, while to Thor was given the hammer. The latter was considered as the most costly of all, and the deities hoped for great good from the hammer at the battle of the world's end. Brok now sought to cut off the head of Loke, but in an instant he was away, for he had on shoes which could travel in the air and on the water as well as on land.