It’s the second day of the week in the first week of the sixth month of the 2024th year of our Lord. Now, THERE’S an eyeful, earful, and mouthful. But the point is, it’s Tuesday.

So, I’ll tell you a little Norse story about this second day of the week.

Once upon a time, there was a huge wolf named Fenrir. And it was prophesied that Fenrir would eventually kill Odin, king of the gods. (You remember Odin from the Thor movies, right?)

Anyway…

The gods decided to restrain Fenrir while he was still growing. Because, as I mentioned, he was huge. And strong. In fact, he kept breaking the chains and ropes the gods used to tie him up. So, those conniving little gods asked the even smaller dwarves to use their magic powers and create a huge, magical leash. And, as you might expect (NOT), they even gave the magic leash a name. Gleipnir. Get a load of what the dwarves used to make the leash:

• the sound of a cat’s footfall
• a woman’s beard
• the roots of a mountain
• bear sinews
• fish breath
• bird spittle

But, wouldn’t you know it? Fenrir didn’t want to be tied up by Gleipnir. In fact, he wouldn’t submit to it unless one of the gods stuck their hand in the wolf’s mouth. Only Tyr, the god of the sky and war was brave enough to do it. And that’s how Tyr came to be known as Lefty. (Just kidding. I added that last part myself. Just Norsin’ around.)

Here’s the plot twist. Tyr’s name, in the Germanic language, is Tiu. And pass that on down through the Olde English language, and that’s where we get Tuesday. Tiu’s Day.

Well, I guess since Tiu was stupid enough to put his hand in the mouth of a huge wolf, and have it bitten off, he only rated being second day of the week. But according to the following rhyme, Tuesday still wants to be…

The First Day of The Week

Tuesday thought he was the first day of the week.
Others waved and smiled, but Tuesday would not speak.
He thought the sun rose just for him
‘Cause he was tall and sleek and slim.
He didn’t know it’s not about a day’s physique.

Tuesday thought the other days had moved away.
He called out and none of them would come to play.
But then the others came to chat.
They said, “Tuesday, you’re such a brat,
And here’s a couple more things we came here to say…

Monday really is the first day of the week,
But without you everything would look so bleak,
‘Cause seven is the right amount.
So, every one of us still count.
Now, Tuesday thinks that being second day is chic.

© 2013

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