Norse Mythology, presenting a vast gallery of personalities, still has one appearance, which strikes me as weirder than most. Suddenly entering the stage and just as swiftly leaving it in a blaze, if not of glory, at least of roaring fire. The character I’m referring to is the
dwarf Lit.
As the gods have gathered around to prepare the funeral pyre of the beloved Balder, Lit comes hurrying past for no obvious reason whatsoever. Not mentioned before, he here makes the mistake that prohibits him from any further partaking in the adventures of the Aesir as he scurries along not just anywhere but in the way of the mighty Thor. The god of Thunder, enraged and distraught, by the all too sudden departure of Balder apparently looses it and with one well-aimed kick sends Lit flying into the funeral pyre, where the flames eat him alive.