Page 586 - Child's own book

diving into his pocket he brought out the while cheese, and
pressed it bo that the cream ran out, saying, ** Surely that is a
little better." The giant did not know what to say ; could not
believe it of the little man. However, he took up a stone, and
threw it up so high that one could not see it with the naked
eye, and said, “ Now you manikin, do that after me,"— 11 Well
thrown,” said the tailor, “ but the stone must fall down again to
the earth. 1 will throw one up which shall not come back again,”
and dipping into his pocket he took out the bird and threw it
into the air. The bird, happy in his freedom, mounted up and
flew away and did not return. u How does that sort please you,
comrade ? ” asked the tailor.— “ Vou can certainly throw well,’'
answered the giant, “ but now let ua see if you can cany any­
thing out of the common.” He led the tailor to a huge oak tree,
which lay felled upon the ground, and said, tc If you arc strong
enough, help me to bear this tree out of the forest."—“ Will­
ingly/’ answered the little man ; “ take you the stem on your
shoulder, I will raise and carry the boughs and branches, which
are the heavier.” The giant took the trunk upon his shoulder,
but the tailor sat himself on a bough, and the giant, who could
not turn to look round, was obliged to carry the whole tree and
the tailor beside- He was very merry and full of chuckling
at his trick, and whistled the tune of u There rode three tailors
out of the gate,” as if carrying trees was child’s play. The
giant, after he had borne the heavy burthen a little way,
could go no further, and exclaimed, “ Do you hear ? I must
let the tree down," The tailor sprang nimbly down, and seized
the branches with both arms as if he had been carrying it,
saying to the other, u Are you such a big fellow, and yet can’t
carry this tree I”
They went on further together, until they came to a cherry
tree, and the giant, seizing the top of it, where the ripest fruit
p p 2