Slow Havamal: 52

In the 52nd verse, we see that not all gifts need to be large. Something as small as half a load of bread and a little soup can win a friend.

Past verses have already established the importance of mutual gift giving among friends. Now we step outside the notions of great swords, horses, ships, and jewels to find that not all gifts have to be magnificent. Those things go over well if we can spare them, but for most of us, they remain beyond our means. Odin encourages us to keep a flexible imagination and draw from the resources we have. Or, to put it another way, it’s the thought that counts.( Read more... )