Gróttasöngur

Gróttasöngur, or the Song of Grótti, is a poem found in the Poetic Edda, a collection of Old Norse heroic and mythological poems. The poem is attributed to the dwarf-king Grótti and recounts his and his fellow dwarf, Fenni's, forced labor grinding millstones. These millstones, imbued with magical properties, were commanded to grind out wealth and fortune. However, the millstones became so powerful that they ground out an entire kingdom, and eventually, in their insatiable grinding, they even ground themselves to pieces.

The narrative describes the immense strength and tireless effort required by the dwarves to operate the mill. The poem highlights the concept of fate and the potential dangers of unchecked power, even when that power is intended for good. Gróttasöngur offers a glimpse into Norse mythology's often stark and cautionary tales, where even benevolent desires can lead to catastrophic outcomes. The poem's themes resonate with the idea that some forces are too potent to be controlled indefinitely. It is a short but powerful piece within the broader Eddic corpus.