The Junior Classics, Volume 1: Fairy and wonder tales
General
The Junior Classics, Volume 1: Fairy and wonder tales
Children's literature
of spirits, lustily whistling a tune, as if carrying the tree were mere
sport. The Giant after dragging the heavy weight for some time, could
get on no farther, and shouted out: “Hi! I must let the tree fall.” The
Tailor sprang nimbly down, seized the tree with both hands as if he had
carried it the whole way, and said to the Giant: “Fancy a big lazy
fellow like you not being able to carry a tree!”
They continued to go on their way together, and as they passed by a
cherry-tree the Giant grasped the top of it, where the ripest fruit
hung, gave the branches into the Tailor’s hand, and bade him eat. But
the little Tailor was far too weak to hold the tree down, and when the
Giant let go the tree swung back into the air, bearing the little
Tailor with it. When he had fallen to the ground again without hurting
himself, the Giant said: “What! do you mean to tell me you haven’t the
strength to hold down a feeble twig?” “It wasn’t strength that was
wanting,” replied time Tailor; “do you think that would have been
anything for a man who has killed seven at a blow? I jumped over the
tree because the huntsmen are shooting among the branches near us. Do
you do the like if you dare.” The Giant made an attempt, but couldn’t
get over the tree, and stuck fast in the branches, so that here, too,
the little Tailor had the better of him.
“Well, you’re a fine fellow, after all,” said the Giant; “come and
spend the night with us in our cave.” The little Tailor willingly
consented to do this, and following his friend they went on till they
reached a cave where several other giants were sitting round a fire,
each holding a roast sheep in his hand, of which he was eating. The
little Tailor looked about him, and thought: “Yes, there’s certainly
more room to turn round in here than in my workshop.” The Giant showed
him a bed, and bade him lie down and have a good sleep. But the bed was
too big for the little Tailor, so he didn’t get into it, but crept away
into the corner. At midnight, when the Giant thought the little Tailor
was fast asleep, he rose up, and taking his big iron walking-stick, he
broke the bed in two with a blow, and thought he had made an end of the
little grasshopper. At early dawn the Giants went off to the wood, and
quite forgot about the little Tailor, till all of a sudden they met him
trudging along in the most cheerful manner. The Giants were terrified
at seeing him, and, fearing lest he should slay them, they all took to
their heels as fast as they could.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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