Chapter VIII: Preparation

Hans meets a fourth giant. Who can this giant be?

Narration.

HANS MEETS A FOURTH GIANT.

Hans and the three big giants had not gone far before Hans saw in the distance another giant quietly leaning up against a very large rock. He seemed so deep in thought that he did not see Hans and his fellow travelers until they came near to where he stood.

Hans noticed that both of this giant’s ears were stopped with cotton. “Have you earache?” asked Hans. “Perhaps I can do something to ease your pain.”

“Oh, no,” said the giant, “I merely stuffed cotton into my ears to shut off some of the sounds about me. I can hear so well that I can tell what men are saying a hundred miles away from me.”

“What a valuable giant you must be!” exclaimed Hans. “Will you not come with us? When I get the enchanted necklace of pearls, you can tell me whether it will be safe to take it back to the king’s palace.”

The giant, being very good-natured, said, “You think you will need me, do you? Well, I’ll go along.” So Hans and the four big giants walked on.

Suggestions.

1. Talk of things that help us hear:--speaking-tubes, telephones, etc.

2. Taking time to be kind. Instances in other stories of people stopping to do a kindness.