The Tale of Gargantus the Giant

Long, long ago in a faraway land called Vasra, there lived a giant. His name was Garagntus. He was the only giant left and he was very lonely. He lived in a house in the mountains since the beginning of time.

Gargantus was a fierce-looking giant but he was really very gentle. He had never hurt or harmed anyone. He loved being with people but the villagers who lived at the foot of the mountain did not know it then. They were scared of him! The last time he went down from his mountain house was a hundred years ago.

He walked through the nearby village, wanting to make friends with the people. That was a big mistake! His footsteps made the ground shake. The people ran screaming to their homes. Doors were slammed shut! Windows were closed in a rush!

He saw some of them peep through their windows and tried to greet then. That was a bigger mistake! His voice rumbled like thunder through the village. Little children shrieked and trembled with fear.

This made Gargantus sad because he loved little children. He did not want to frighten them but they thought he came to eat them. He felt very bad that he failed to make friends with the villagers. He decided never to disturb the again.

Gargantus made each of his lonely day delightful by looking down on the village for a long, long time. He watched the farmers plow their land and grow the food for their families. They worked from sunrise to sunset, but the land did not give them enough food to feed themselves. Gargantus felt sorry for them, especially the children. The children sometimes went to bed with hungry stomachs during the hot summer nights.

Gargantus thought of ways to help them. He knew of other lands that could grow more food. They were far from the village but he could reach them with just  sixty giant steps. He could bring the farmers there by putting them in his fruit basket. He could carry them because he was strong. These thoughts pleased Gargantus very much. But how could he offer his help if the people were afraid of him? They wouldn't listen to a giant.

Gargantus thought, "Someone who is as big as the men would not scare them. Who could tell them about my plans?" Suddenly a wonderful thought came to him. He only knew of one person who was not terrified of him.

"The wizard!" he exclaimed, "I will ask the wizard for help."

Gargantus was not sure if the wizard would do it. The wizard had never helped anyone since he hated people. For that reason, he chose to live far away from the village. Although he had not hurt anyone with his magic spell, he would not hesitate to cast spell upon the person who went near his place. He would always cry out loud, "Stay away from me, and my magic will not fall on you!" He spent his time mixing magic potions and reading magical books.

Gargantus wasn't worried about the wizard's magical power. Magic spells had no effect on giants.

"I will talk to him right away," Gargantus eagerly said. He reached the wizard's place with just thirty giant steps.

At once, the old wizard appeared in his long black robe, black pointed hat, and black shoes. His long white shaggy beard seemed to be heavier than his skinny body. He had mean-looking eyes.

The wizard angrily said, "I don't want people here, especially giants." He pointed a wrinkled finger at Gargantus and started to cast spell on him.

"You'll just waste your power," answered Gargantus. "You did not even change my size twenty years ago," he laughed.

The wizard dropped his finger in a flash. He remembered what happened twenty years ago. He tried to turn Gargantus into a goat  but to his surprise his magic did not work. He shouted other magical words to turn the giant into a lizard... or a spider... or even a dwarf, but not one of his spells changed Gargantus.

The wizard asked wickedly, "What brings you here?"

"I've come to ask for help," answered Gargantus.

"I help no one," the wizard shrieked.

"You can if you want to," said Gargantus. "I thick you can be a good wizard."

"Well, we'll just see about that!" the wizard laughed, a terrible laugh. "Now, what could be so important that a big fellow like you needs a little fellow like me?"

"The people who live in the village are in need of help. I want to help them but they are afraid of me," explained the Gargantus. "Please talk to them and tell them that I know a place where they can grow food for their families," he begged.

"Do you ask me to help those people without any reward?" the old wizard asked disbelief.

"Yes," Gargantus said. "I ask you to help them without asking in return because that's the proper thing to do." He thought for a while and said, "If you want, I can give you part of my land to thank you for your help."

"Very well then," the wizard agreed, "take me to the village."

Gargantus asked the wizard to sit on his shoulder. They stopped at the foot of the mountain.

"Why did we stop?" asked the wizard.

"I'll wait for you here. You know that they're scared of me," answered Gargantus. "And... I have one more request."

"What is it now?" the wizard asked impatiently.

Gargantus looked closely at the wizard. "Can you change your clothes? They might think that you are a cruel wizard. They will stay away from you," he said.

"But I am cruel" I've been wearing this all my life!" shouted the wizard.

"Then, just change your black clothes into white. You only have to wave your magic wand," begged Gargantus.

"And look like a fairy?" That's foolish!" exclaimed the wizard.

Gargantus knew that the wizard had wanted his land since the beginning of time. "I will give you half of my land," he offered.

The wizard just nodded. He tried not to look happy but he really was overjoyed with the giant's offer. At once, his magic wand appeared. It sprinkled the wizard with white magic dust. Black turned to white. He was now ready to talk to the villagers.

The people were surprised to see the wizard but they were not afraid of him. He told them that Gargantus was a friendly giant. He told them about Gargantus' plans.

Within a short time, news spread all over the village. The people welcomed Gargantus. Everyone wanted to be his friend. They now trusted him. Little children gathered around him. They wanted to play with him. Gargantus was very pleased!

The little children thought that the wizard was an angel since he was all white. They smiled at him. They started to hold and hug him. He stood still but was surprised that he liked what they were doing. He began to laugh and play with the children. Gargantus was right! He could be a good wizard, too.

And the once lonely giant had never been so happy in his life! He gained what he wanted most in the world... friends.    

How Mother Kangaroo Got a Pouch

"Joey, you'd better come here now!" called Mother Kangaroo. Her son had been missing since early morning. Joey had again gone off by himself!

"That boy moves too much," she said to herself. "He's always hopping off."

Mother Kangaroo was really worried now. Time and time again she had told her Joey, "Don't go hopping off by yourself. It can be dangerous."

Suddenly, she heard a scuffling noise. Then Mother Kangaroo heard her son shouting. "Mother, help me out of this pit!"

Mother Kangaroo hurried to where her son was, afraid that he might be hurt.

"Are you all right? asked Mother Kangaroo.

"How can we be all right if we've been trapped in this horrible pit for several hours?" a deep pit for several hours?" deep voice said.

Surprised, Mother Kangaroo saw Mr. Crocodile and an old woman with Joey in the deep but narrow hole.

"Good morning, Mr. Crocodile," greeted Mother Kangaroo politely. Then she asked the old woman if she was all right. "Yes, my dear," said the old woman. "I just want to go home now."

Mother Kangaroo decided to rescue her Joe first followed by the old woman, then Mr. Crocodile. Once out of the pit, Mr. Crocodile left and crawled back to the river without a nod of thanks to Mother Kangaroo. He did not even bid them goodbye.

"I'll bring you home, dear old lady," she said kindly.

"If you're sure I won't be any trouble," said the old woman softly.

They haven't taken more than five steps when Joey hopped off to the bushes again. "Joey, come back!" his mother shouted.

Mother Kangaroo started to hop but remembered the old woman beside her. "How can I hop after my Joey when this poor old woman needs my help?" she thought to herself. "I just hope he doesn't run into any trouble again."

"I can't walk any farther," said the old woman. "I need to rest. "Mother Kangaroo made her sit on a log away from the heat of the sun.

She looked far beyond the trees and caught a glimpse of her son. Joey was hopping off towards the river again. "Goodness, what is he up to now?" she thought worriedly.

"Can I have water to drink?" the old woman asked. "I feel thirsty and hot."

Mother Kangaroo thought of a way to bring the old woman to the river without making her walk. Since the old woman was small and thin, she could easily carry her all the away to the river. And so she did!

Near the river, Mother Kangaroo heard her Joey scream. She saw her son being pushed towards the riverbank by Mr. Crocodile.

"Joey, what happened to you?" she asked patting the water off her son's back.

"Your son if too much of a problem. He nearly drowned on my property," Mr. Crocodile shook his snout angrily. "But I have repaid you now. Better make sure that your kid doesn't mess with my place," he warned.

"I'm deeply thankful, Mr. Crocodile," said Mother Kangaroo ashamed that her son was causing all these troubles.

Off Mr. Crocodile swam, leaving Mother Kangaroo, her Joey, and the old woman without saying goodbye again. But there was no old woman beside them!

Suddenly the Fairy Queen of the Forest appeared to them. She was wearing the apron of the old woman.

"I was the old woman you helped," said the Fairy Queen. "I was looking for the kindest animal in the forest and I have found you. You helped Mr. Crocodile even if he was so unfriendly. You chose to stay with me while at the same time fearing for Joey's safety."

The Fairy Queen of the Forest took off her apron. She tied it around the waist of Mother Kangaroo. "Now I am going to reward you for your kindness." With a swift wave of her magic wand, the apron turned into the pouch that all female kangaroos have today.

"Now, you have somewhere to put Joey to keep him from wandering off," said the Fairy Queen.

Joey quickly climbed into his mother's pouch. "This is so soft and warm. I want to sleep now, Mother."

"And a nice bed, too!" Mother Kangaroo said happily.