"I am here," said the Deer. Looking out he saw a great giant, and his heart failed him. He wished he had asked one of his companions to stay with him. "I smell some fish," said the Giant. "I want some, and you must give it to me at once. I am hungry. Let me have what I want." "It does not belong to me," said the Deer, in great fear. "It belongs to the Pig, the Bear, the Tiger, and the Mouse-deer. They would punish me severely if I gave any of it to you." "Don't talk to me in that way," said the Giant, impatiently. "If you do not let me have what I want, I will eat you up." The Deer was too frightened of the Giant to refuse his request, so he let him eat the fish, and take some away with him. When his companions returned, the Deer gave them his account of the Giant's visit. They blamed him for his cowardice, and the Wild Boar said he would keep watch the next day. "If the Giant comes," said he, "I will gore him with my tusks, and trample him underfoot." But he fared no better than the Deer, for when he saw the Giant, who threatened to kill him if he refused to give him some fish, he was afraid, and let him take as much as he wanted. Great was the disgust of the others to find on their return that their fish had again been taken. "Let me watch," said the Bear. "No Giant shall frighten me. I will hug him with my strong arms, and scratch him with my sharp claws." So Bruin was left in charge the next day, while the others went out to fish. Soon he heard the Giant who came to the foot of the steps, and shouted: "Hullo! Who's there?" "I am," said the Bear. "Who are you, and what do you want?" "I can smell some nice fish, and I am hungry, and want some." "I cannot let you have any," said the Bear. "It does not belong to me." "Let me have some at once," said the Giant in a voice of thunder, "before I kill and eat you." The Bear was too much frightened to interfere, while the Giant ransacked the jars. When he had had enough, he bade the Bear "Good-bye!" and went off. On the return of the other animals, the Tiger said he would put a stop to this state of things. He would stay at home the next day and keep watch. It would have to be a very strong Giant indeed that would dare to fight him! The Giant paid his visit as before, and told the Tiger that he was hungry, and asked for some fish. At first the Tiger refused to give any to him, but when the Giant threatened to attack him, he was afraid, like the others had been, and let him have as much as he wanted. On their return, again the animals found their fish had been stolen. Then the Mouse-deer spoke. "I see," he said, "that it is no use depending on you others. You boast, but when the time comes for action, you have no courage. I will stay at home, and secure this giant of whom you are all afraid." When his companions had gone away the next morning, the Mouse-deer tied a bandage round his forehead and lay down. Soon the Giant came, and shouted: "Who's there?"