Jack and the Mean Giant
Long ago, at the foot of the mountain, there was a village filled with industrious families. The villagers toiled from morning to evening in their farms in a bid to harvest enough for food. Also, every household in the village-owned a few domestic animals to provide supplementary food. During the day, the men and young boys spend their time helping one another in the farms cultivating and in the fields herding the goats, cows, pigs, donkeys, and sheep. By nightfall, the women and young girls prepared food that the villagers sat and ate communally at the village square. Their way of life ensured that no one slept hungry as the food was shared equally among every village member. They would then sing folk songs and shared mythical stories before retiring to their beds. They lived a happy communal life as taught by their gods.
One day, in the wake of dawn, the villagers were awoken by great trembling on the ground. The ground shook. The walls of their houses shook. Their poor beds shook. Even their hearts shook from within. Everyone was horrified and curious at the same time. “Why is the ground shaking?” they wondered. One by one, they struggled to crawl to the windows and doors and peep outside. Their faces were filled with horror as they took in the giant creature that stomped its way through their village carrying their animals. The creature was tall with a huge head, arms, and legs. On its back were two cows. Around its pot-belly, were pigs and goats tied. Soon, the village was filled with chaos. Everyone scared of their own life. Whenever the giant passed by a house, men, women, children, and animals alike scrambled away in fear. There was yelling and screaming and wailing as panic filled the air. With every step, the giant heaved and growled in intimidation. He towered over the village houses and cruised towards the mountain with the animals.
In all their lives, the villagers had never thought such a horrifying event would ever happen. When peace and tranquility restored in the village, the village head summoned the villagers for a meeting. The giant made away with most of the villagers’ animals, and the villagers noted that if the giant returned, the villagers would lose their way of livelihood. They decided to appease sabiduría, the goddess of wisdom, for help. The goddess advised the villagers to approach the giant and ask why he opted to steal their livestock instead of prosecuting the giant at sight. On hearing this, some villagers shuddered in fear.
One courageous boy, Jack, volunteered to approach the giant. Before his departure to the mountain, jack’s mother and father shed tears as they called unto the god of safety to lead his way and protect him. Some villagers doubted the small boy’s ability to complete the task. With determination, a pitcher of water, and a magical stone, Jack, the courageous boy sauntered towards the mountain. In his heart, he knew he was traveling to the mountain for the safety of the people. He climbed day and night, through bushes and thickets, until he reached the giant’s cave at the top of the mountain. From far, he could hear the giant snoring loudly in his sleep. Quietly, Jack, the courageous boy, crept into the cave. He could see the giant’s huge feet and the remains of the animals he had stolen from the village.
Suddenly, the giant detected the boy’s smell. “Human!” the giant said while sniffing around with his eyes closed. “Come out! Come ooouuuuuut wherever you are human!” the giant cooed. All this while, Jack hid behind the giant’s enormous pot. Jack held the magical stone in his hands and said: “I do not seek any trouble, oh huge one, I just want to talk”. The magic stone helped Jack understand the giant. “Promise me, you will not kill me,” Jack continued. At that, Jack slowly walked from behind the huge pot.
“My name is Jack. I live in a village with my family. What is your name?” Jack innocently inquired, trying to establish trust.
“My name is Ogre,” the giant replied.
“Why did you steal our cows and goats?”
“I was hungry, and I have nothing to eat. I am the last of my kind, and whenever I come down to the village, everyone is scared of me,” the giant replied almost to tears.
The giant’s reply moved Jack. He asked Ogre to follow him to the village to apologize to the villagers. The two walked down the mountain to the village. With the help of Jack, Ogre sought for forgiveness and promised not to steal the villagers’ animals again. The villagers then promised to offer him food once in a while for survival. The relationship between the giant and humans was restored, and they lived in peace, sharing their food communally. All thanks to Jack, the courageous boy.