Transcriber's Notes: Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal signs=. Small uppercase have been replaced with regular uppercase. Blank pages have been eliminated. Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been left as in the original. [Illustration: See p. 9 "THE GIANTS ALL WOKE UP, AND EACH ONE RUSHED TO A WINDOW"] SIX GIANTS AND A GRIFFIN AND OTHER STORIES BY BIRDSALL OTIS EDEY ILLUSTRATED BY BEATRICE BAXTER RUYL [Illustration] _NEW YORK_ R. H. RUSSELL 1903 _Copyright, 1903_ _By_ ROBERT HOWARD RUSSELL _Published November, 1903_ TO MY LITTLE GIRL Lay away the story,-- Though the theme is sweet, There's a lack of something yet Leaves it incomplete;-- There's a nameless yearning-- Strangely undefined-- For a story sweeter still Than the written kind. Therefore read no longer,-- I've no heart to hear, But just something you make up, O my mother dear,-- With your arms around me, Hold me, folded-eyed,-- Only let your voice go on-- I'll be satisfied. _James Whitcomb Riley._ CONTENTS PAGE SIX GIANTS AND A GRIFFIN 1 GERTRUDE'S VISIT TO THE MOON 13 JANE AND THE BEARS 17 SAPPHIRA AND THE FLYING PIG 22 THE CHRISTMAS TREES 31 MOTHER GOOSE'S PARTY 42 ILLUSTRATIONS "THE GIANTS ALL WOKE UP, AND EACH ONE RUSHED TO A WINDOW" _Frontispiece_ "AND IN THE BOX A LOVELY PEARL RING" _Facing p._ 14 "JANE AND BABY BEAR PLAYED GAMES" " 20 "SAPPHIRA SEATED ON THE BACK OF THE FLYING PIG" " 26 "AND IT WAS A BRIGHT LITTLE TREE, SET UP IN A STARCH BOX" " 40 "AND THEY HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME" " 46 SIX GIANTS AND A GRIFFIN SIX GIANTS AND A GRIFFIN Gnomes were Teddy's favorites. He had no brothers and sisters, so was obliged to make up games for himself, and invent people to play with him, and the people were almost always gnomes.