1 - Egil the Precocious Child

Egil was born in a farmstead in the country side which will be known as Jordsvik. It was said that Egil was unnaturally strong even as a child and at the age of 3 he was larger than most boys of 7 or 8 years old. Also he was highly intelligent and articulate being able to speak clearly as a grown man still at the age of 3. But Egil was very ugly and had a bad temper just like his father Skallagrimr.
One day when Egil was still 3 years old his grandfather invited his father Skallagrimr to a party at his farm. Skallagrimr agreed to attend, and informed Egil that he could not come and would have to stay home during the party. Egil became angry and asked his father why he could not join the party. Skallagrimr replies, "Because I know how you will behave, and you are not the easiest person to get along with even when your not drunk." It is not a tradition in Jordsvik society for children to drink alcohol any more than in is our society today.
The following evening Skallagrimr went to the party alone leaving Egil at home, but Egil decided that regardless of what his father had said he would attend the party. So Egil goes to the stables saddles his father's best warhouse and rides through the swampy country side to the party alone. When Egil arrives at the party much to his father's chagrin. Egil's grandfather welcome him to the party and sets him in a place of honor at the head of the table.
While at the party the other adults had never seen Egil before and are amazed at both his great size and intellect. Perhaps due to the influence of the alcohol adults at the table began to boost of their great deeds and their strength, and as to be expected some of them begin to challenge one another to an arm wrestling contest. Quick to win reknown Egil volunteered and managed to defeat several of the fully grown men.
Later in the evening the Skalds stepped forward and they often to recite great myths legends of the great heroes of the age. The Skalds do this as a test of intellect to see who is able to best improvise and tell the best story. Upon hearing this Egil stepped forward and recited his first verse tell the adults that greatest deeds of the age are yet to done and he will be the one to do them. As part of the verse he advised them to present him with great gifts of gold and silver now because they may be the ones to die in battle against the Risi, but he would not. Afterall if they did met the great Egil in life, and they failed to give him the reknown he was due when they had the chance they would forever regret it both in this life and in the next.
The Skalds and all other adults at the party marveled both at Egil's wit and great strength, and that he was a greater man at 3 then they were at full adulthood.