and the little tailor into the
bargain. There he sat behind in the best 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 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
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
the