4: Thor and the giants - Part 1
Loki introduces us to Thor, Viking god of thunder. One day Thor goes to Odin and declares his intention to do battle with the giants. Odin is delighted鈥nd volunteers Loki to accompany him on the journey to Jotunheim. Loki, naturally, is less than thrilled.
Thor and Loki ride in Thor's chariot - pulled by two shaggy goats - and stop for the night in Midgard at the house of a poor villager. The prospects for dinner aren't good so Thor shows off his magic trick: he slays both his goats to make goat stew, giving Loki and the villager strict instructions not to break any of the goats' bones. Loki can't resist this opportunity to cause trouble, so he quietly tells the villager to break open a bone or two and suck out the marrow.
In the morning Thor stands over the pile of goats' bones and brings his goats back to life. But there's just one problem - one of the goats is limping鈥nd Thor knows at once who to blame.
Teacher Notes
This series can be used to increase pupils' familiarity with a broad range of texts and narratives, including myths, legends and traditional stories and to make connections between these and other stories they are familiar with.
It will also support a broad range of writing objectives.
Curriculum Notes
This series is relevant for teaching English at KS2, in England and Wales and Northern Ireland, and at First and Second Level in Scotland.
More from the series: Viking Sagas
3: Freya and the Goblins - Part 2. video
Part 2 of a story about the goddess Freya and her underground meeting with the goblins.
5: Thor and the Giants - Part 2. video
Thor and Loki journey to Jotunheim where they spend the night in a very unusual building.
6: Thor and the Giants - Part 3. video
Thor takes on further challenges...not knowing that there is magic at work against him.
