Page:Lange - The Blue Fairy Book.djvu/347

 The giant, after dragging the heavy weight for some time, could get on no further, 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 lout 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 the 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 hunstmen 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 the apparition, and, fearful lest he should slay them, they all took to their heels as fast as they could.

The little tailor continued to follow his nose, and after he had wandered about for a long time he came to the courtyard of a royal palace, and feeling tired he lay down on the grass and fell asleep.