Odd and the Frost Giants

by Neil Gaiman

The eagle is Lord Odin, All-father, greatest of the Gods.

Where are Huginn and Muninn?

‘And what would a young lady of such loveliness be doing, a-wandering alone, and at night, with wolves and trolls and worse on the loose? Let me offer you hospitality—the hospitality of Loki, mightiest and wisest of all the lords of Asgard. I declare that I shall take you into my own house and care for you in every way that I can!’

Too stupid to be suspicious?

“My father used to say that the carving was in the wood already. You just had to find out what the wood wanted to be, and then take your knife and remove everything that wasn’t that.” “Mm.” The fox seemed unimpressed.

Probably because Michelangelo said it better?

“Talk is free,” said Odd, “but the wise man chooses when to spend his words.” It was something his father used to say.

Ironically, by quoting his father, I'd say he's violating the spirit of that saying.

The ice fell away under the flint axe, just as Odd had wanted it to. He hacked it into a shape that was almost triangular, thicker on one side than on the other.

Wait — a prism?!?

“You’re getting smaller again,” said Odd. This was no longer the huge bear of the previous evening. Now it seemed only slightly bigger than it had been the first time Odd had ridden it. “You’ve shrunk.” “If you say so,” said the bear.

Or Odd has changed?

he found the walk was not as hard as he had expected.

Hmmm.