So Siegfried went to work at the trade of a smith. It was not long before he excelled his teacher. This pleased Mimer, who spent many spare hours with his pupil, telling him stories of the olden times.
After awhile, he took Siegfried into his confidence. He said:
"There is a powerful knight in Burgundy who has challenged every smith of my country to make a weapon strong enough to pierce his coat of mail.
"I long to try," Mimer went on, "but I am now old and have not strength enough to use the heavy hammer."
At these words Siegfried jumped up in great excitement.
"I will make the sword, dear master," he cried. "Be of good cheer.
It shall be strong enough to cut the knight's armour in two."
Early the next morning, Siegfried began his work. For seven days and seven nights the constant ringing of his hammer could be heard. At the end of that time Siegfried came to his master with a sword of the finest steel in his right hand.
Mimer looked it all over. He then held it in a stream of running water in which he had thrown a fine thread. The water carried the thread against the edge of the sword, where it was cut in two.
"It is without a fault," cried Mimer with delight.
"I can do better than that," answered Siegfried, and he took the sword and broke it into pieces.