Atondido Stories
was the good fairy of the sea, said, "Take this bag and this knife
and these three little stones that I will give you, and when you
go to-night to the giants' cave, use them as I tell you and all will
be well." She gave him three small white stones and a small
knife, and a bag like the bladder of a bear, and she taught him
their use. Then she disappeared into the grey mist that hung low
on the ocean and the boy never saw her again.
The boy lay down on the sand and went to sleep. When he
awoke, the moon was shining, and far along the coast in the
bright light he could see an opening in the rocks which he knew
was the entrance to the giants' cave. Taking his bag and his knife
and the three little stones, he approached it cautiously with a
trembling heart. When he reached the mouth of the cave he
could hear the giants snoring inside, all making different noises,
louder than the roar of the sea. Then he remembered the old
woman's instructions. He tied the bag inside his coat so that the
mouth of it was close to his chin. Then he took one of the stones
from his pocket. At once it grew to immense size, so heavy that
the boy could scarcely hold it. He threw it at the biggest giant
with great force, and it hit him squarely on the head. The giant
sat up staring wildly and rubbing his brow. He kicked his
younger brother, who was lying beside him, and said in great
anger, "Why did you strike me?" "I did not strike you," said his
brother. "You struck me on the head while I slept," said the giant,
"and if you do it again I will kill you." Then they went to sleep
again.
When the boy heard them snoring loudly again, he took a
second stone from his pocket. At once it grew great in size and
the boy hurled it with great force at the biggest giant. Again the
giant sat up staring wildly and rubbing his head. But this time
he did not speak. He grasped his axe, which was lying beside
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