A long time ago in a land far away, lived two brothers, Bara, and Bild. They were strong and full of youth and energy for life. Bara was very tall, with deep, blue eyes that could see a speck on the horizon. Bild was so strong he could lift great rocks and hurl them down the mountainside to roll on to the river.
The two brothers lived to ride. They had horses, many of them, each with strong muscular legs that would take them racing over the hills. They loved to race against each other. Sometimes Bild won, and thrust his strong fist into the air with triumph, but his brother Bara won just as often and he smiled until his blue eyes shone, and he laughed with joy.
One day their father said, “There is one race that has never been won. There is one horse that is faster than any other, the greatest horse that ever lived. This is Shira. He has a flying golden mane and flashing black eyes and a tail like the west wind. Will you ride out in search of Shira?”
And so the two brothers raced onwards and onwards, night and day, to catch Shira, the fastest horse that ever lived. Soon the arguments started: “When we find Shira I will ride him because I am the oldest!” said Bara and he dashed onto the open plain.
"I am the strongest and will find Shira first. Try and catch me!" cried Bild and he spurred his horse onward and onward, deep into the forest until he could not longer see his brother.
