MY FATHER was a dwarf, and belonged to a race of dwarfs called the
Nibelungs. He had three sons, Fafner, Otto, and myself. Fafner was the
eldest; I was the youngest. Otto, my second brother, was very fond of
fishing, and liked nothing better than to spend whole days at the sport.
My father had a magic cap called a tarnhelm. Any one who put this cap on
could make himself invisible, or assume any form he desired. Otto would
borrow this tarnhelm, and assuming the form of an otter, he would go to
a waterfall near our home to fish. He would go right into the water, and
catching the fish in his mouth, would lay them down on the bank, one
after another, until he had enough. Then he would become himself once
more and would carry the fish home for supper.
Near this waterfall there lived another dwarf, named Alberich, who also
belonged to the race of the Nibelungs. He possessed a great treasure of
gold, which he had captured from the nymphs of the Rhine. The father of
the nymphs, the God of the Rhine, had entrusted the treasure to their
care.
Alberich gained possession of the Rhine gold, but in doing so he lost
everything which helps to make life beautiful. Like my brother, he was
very fond of fishing, and taking the form of a huge pike, he would go
with Otto to the waterfall, and fish all day.
One day Wotan, the King of the Gods, was wandering through the forest
with Loki, the God of Fire. They were both very tired and hungry, and as
they came near the waterfall, what should they spy but an otter in the
water, with a large salmon in its mouth. Here was a chance not to be
missed.
Seizing a big stone, Loki hurled it with all his might at the otter,
killing it instantly. Then they carried it to my father's house, and
begged for a night's lodging.
As soon as my father saw the otter, he told them that they had killed
his son. Both Wotan and Loki were very sorry to hear this, and regretted
that they could not restore my brother to life. To make up to my father
for what they had done, they agreed to fill the otter skin with gold,
and also to cover the outside of it with the same precious metal. Then
Wotan sent Loki out in search of gold.
Now Loki knew that the dwarf Alberich possessed the Rhine gold; so he
hastened to the waterfall, and demanded the entire treasure.
At first Alberich refused to part with the gold; but Loki threatened to
kill him unless he gave it up. So Alberich unwillingly gave the treasure
to Loki--all except a ring of gold, which he kept hidden in his hand.
But the god's eyes were sharp, and he saw what Alberich had done.
Now this ring was a magic ring, and whoever owned it might claim all the
gold in all the rivers and mountains upon earth. Alberich believed that
if he kept it he could some day get back his treasure through its magic
power.
Loki commanded him to give it up, and the dwarf refused to do so. Seeing
that words were useless, the god snatched it from Alberich's hand, and
started off. Alberich fell into a terrible fury, and cried:
"A curse upon the gold! Death to all its possessors!"
But Loki had obtained that which he set out to get. The gold was not to
be his, and he cared nothing for the dwarf and his curses. He only
laughed at Alberich, and hastened with his burden to my father's house.
When Wotan saw the gold ring, he was so pleased with its beauty that he
placed it on his finger, intending to keep it for himself. Then they
filled the otter's skin with gold, and also covered it over, according
to their promise. When they had finished, my father discovered one spot
on its head upon which there was no gold. He insisted upon having this
covered up, and since there was no more gold to be had, Wotan
unwillingly took the ring from his finger, and placed it there.
Loki was displeased, and cried:
"Now, you ingrate, you have the most enormous gold treasure in the
world, and I hope you are satisfied! But remember what I say: The gold
will prove your ruin, and it will also cause your son to fill an early
grave."
Then the gods took their departure.
Fafner and I asked our father to give us each a share of the gold; but
he only laughed in a disagreeable way, and declared his dead son was far
more precious to him than were his living sons. He said that every hair
on Otto's head was dear to him. Then he ran after us with a stone club,
and swore that he would kill us if we said another word. We said no
more, and crept away in fear.
[Illustration: "FLEE FOR YOUR LIFE ERE I SMITE YOU DEAD"]
But that night as my father lay asleep, Fafner stole into his room and
slew him. Then I came forward, and told my brother that I had witnessed
his evil deed, and demanded that he give me half of the gold. But he
turned upon me in a blind rage, and cried:
"Flee for your life ere I smite you dead!"
I fled in fear, without another word. Then Fafner put on my father's
tarnhelm and escaped with his treasure to the heath, where he hid it in
a cave among the rocks. But, fearful lest it be taken from him, he
assumed the form of a frightful dragon, that he might protect it better.
And there he lies day and night, guarding the entrance of the cave, and
leaves it only when he goes to drink at a neighboring spring. No one has
dared attack him, for no one has the strength to match him.