The Tale of Auðun of the West Fjords

Auðunar þáttr vestfirska (Old Norse: Old Norse pronunciation: [ˈɔuðunɑz̠ ˈθɑːttz̠ ˈwestˌfirskɑ]; Modern Icelandic: Auðunar þáttur vestfirska [ˈœyːðʏːnar ˈθauhtʏr ˈvɛstˌfɪska]; The Tale of Auðun of the West Fjords) is a short tale (or þáttr) preserved in three distinct versions as part of the saga of Harald III of Norway (reigned 1047-1066, a.k.a. Haraldr inn harðráði Sigurðsson), as the saga is told in the manuscripts Morkinskinna, Flateyjarbók, and several others. Widely translated and anthologised, it is admired for its beautifully simple account of a poor Icelander from the Westfjords, the harshest region of the country, who decides to take a polar bear as a present to Sweyn II of Denmark (reigned 1047-74/76, a.k.a. Sveinn Úlfsson). Despite having to navigate the court of Haraldr, Sweyn’s rival, Auðun persists in his mission and later embarks on a pilgrimage to Rome. Auðun's mixture of determination, audacity and humility leads him to gain the respect of both kings, and through him their respect for one another increases also.

Although ostensibly historical, the work is more plausibly to be seen as "a historified folktale".