The Smith and the Hammer

There once was a blacksmith who set himself to make the most beautiful hammer he could so that his forge could be the envy of all his peers. He worked tirelessly, making a hammer out of gold and silver, with a handle out of ebony, and decorated with many precious jewels such as ruby and emerald.

When he had finished his tool, he refused to make use of it, for he was afraid of damaging it. So he set it upon a stand and kept it away from his forge. Many of his peers would come and visit him, saying, "What beautiful craftsmanship! This is a beautiful hammer! What did you use to make it?" And the blacksmith would say, "I used my old hammer, but it is not worth mentioning." They reveled and were inspired by his work.

After a time, the blacksmith's work became known far and wide until one day, the noble Idwalen came down from the Kolaluthto see it for herself. She entered the blacksmith's forge and asked, "Where is the hammer?" The blacksmith eagerly and reverently presented his prized hammer to her. She took it and placed it back upon it's stand, saying "I asked not for your craft, but for the hammer that made it."

The blacksmith then went and fetched his tool, broken and worn, and presented it to the Deity who took it in hand and kissed it.