Wulfstan Hrafnsson

Original story, "Snorri's Last Request" 

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   When Snorri was an old man, when his wife had passed away, his children were grown, and his grandchildren were many in number, being a wise man, he took thought for his end.  And so he called his kin together, and told them that it was his wish that he should die in his native Iceland.

  At once, preparations began; a ship was bought, a crew hired on, and a cargo of provisions laid in for Snorri's voyage. His many friends and extensive family all came together, even those living far away, to bid him farewell.  And he hosted them all, along with all his neighbours and any traveller passing by, at a great feast.  They were many, and filled his hall for ten days of stories, poems and songs, food and drink and dancing and laughter; the sort of feast to be spoken of in years to come, long after Snorri himself was gone.  He gave each of his guests a gift, and because good luck had always come his way and he was a very rich man, the least of the guests came away the richer by the worth of three cattle.  Nor was Snorri's wealth and his heirs' inheritance very much lessened by this.

   Finally the appointed day came.  The ship was ready, the crew was aboard, and the goodbyes were said.  Looking on his steading a final time, Snorri nodded, and turned to the skipper.  "Lay her on course for France," he said.

   "For France, my lord?" said the skipper in confusion, "'But I thought that you had wanted to die in Iceland."

   "And so I do," said Snorri, bright-eyed, "but not today!"

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