and he would not attend to the country people who came to seek his help , unless they bowed themselves humbly before him and spoke to him as if he were a king . i say that the country people sought his help , for he spent his time , or appeared to spend it , in collecting herbs and simples on the hillsides , which he carried home with him to his dark abode , and distilled medicines and potions from them , which he sold to his neighbours at wondrous high prices . he was also the possessor of a wonderful leathern - covered book , clasped with clasps of brass , over which he would pore for hours together , and out of which he would tell the simple islanders their fortunes , if they would . for they feared the book almost as much as they feared snorro himself , for it was whispered that it had once belonged to odin , and they crossed themselves for protection as they named the mighty enchanter .
why did the islanders fear the book almost as much as they feared snorro himself ?
it was whispered that it had once belonged to odin , and they crossed themselves for protection as they named the mighty enchanter .
it was whispered that it had once belonged to odin .