Long, long ago, before there were clocks or calendars, the world was a confusing place. Sometimes it was dark for too long, and sometimes it was bright for too long. The flowers didn't know when to close their petals, and the children didn't know when to sleep.
Far away in the giant lands lived a gentle giantess named Nótt, which means Night. Unlike the other giants who were loud and angry, Nótt was quiet and calm. She had skin as dark as deep water and hair as black as obsidian. She loved silence.
Nótt wore a magnificent cloak made of the darkest blue velvet. It was so big it could cover the mountains and the valleys. When she wrapped herself in it, everything became peaceful and still. She was the mother of rest.
Nótt had a son named Dagr, which means Day. He was the opposite of his mother. He had golden hair that shone like fire, and his skin glowed warm and bright. Wherever he went, shadows disappeared, and birds started to sing.
Odin, the All-Father, saw them from Asgard. "The world needs order," he whispered. "The children need to know when to play and when to rest." He called Nótt and Dagr to his palace and gave them a very special job.
Odin gave them each a magical chariot, a carriage, and a magnificent horse. "You will ride across the sky forever," Odin said. "One after the other, in a never-ending circle."
To Nótt, he gave a horse named Hrimfaxi, Frost-Mane. Hrimfaxi was black and silver. He was a strong, slow horse who didn't like to gallop. He liked to trot gently, clip-clop, clip-clop, across the clouds.
Nótt climbed into her chariot first. As she rose into the sky, she pulled her dark velvet cloak over the world. Slowly, the bright light faded. The blue sky turned to indigo, then to deep purple, and finally to soft black.
Nótt's cloak was old and had tiny little holes in it. As she pulled it over the world, the light from Asgard shone through these holes. Down on earth, the children looked up and said, "Look! The stars are out!"
As Hrimfaxi trotted across the sky, a hush fell over the forests. The wolves stopped howling. The birds tucked their heads under their wings. The wind slowed down to a whisper. It was time for the world to breathe out.
Hrimfaxi worked hard pulling the night across the sky. As he trotted, foam from his bit, the metal in his mouth, fell down to earth. But this wasn't ordinary foam. It was Morning Dew.
These tiny drops of magic water landed on the grass and the spiderwebs. This is why, when you wake up early in the morning, the world feels wet and fresh. It is a gift from the Night Horse.
While Nótt rode, she sprinkled sleepy dust over the houses. Children closed their eyes and drifted into dreams. Nótt smiled down, watching over every sleeping creature, making sure they were safe under her cloak.
But Nótt could not stay forever. Behind her came her son, Dagr. He rode a horse named Skinfaxi, Shining-Mane. Skinfaxi was energetic and bright.
Skinfaxi's mane was made of pure gold. As he galloped up the horizon, his mane caught fire with light. It illuminated the sky, pushing his mother's dark cloak away. The sun began to rise.
The flowers felt the warmth of Skinfaxi's mane and opened their petals. The roosters crowed. The dew on the grass sparkled like diamonds before disappearing. The world was awake again, ready to play.
Dagr chased his mother across the sky, but he never caught her. They were a perfect team. Light and Dark. Noise and Silence. Awake and Asleep.
After a long day of playing, Dagr gets tired. He lowers his golden horse down the other side of the world. And look! Who is coming back up? It is gentle Nótt, ready to tuck the world in again.
This circle has happened every day since the beginning of time. It is happening right now. The sun is setting because Dagr is going to rest, and Nótt is bringing her starry blanket just for you.
So, when you see the stars, remember they are just the lights of heaven shining through Nótt's cloak. And when you see the dew in the morning, remember that Hrimfaxi passed by while you were dreaming. Close your eyes now. The Night Horse is watching over you.
