There was a Giant. He was drunk on power. He stomped on people as he staggered through the countryside.

People got out of his way. They tried to distract him. They said, “Go over there.”

They brought him gold. “Here,” they said, “Gold. You like gold. See? We’re your friends.”

He took the gold.

Then he went in their houses to see what he could find to take.

People ran away. He stomped after them. He got a gang of bullies together to chase everyone.

People were afraid to say anything because the Giant might take offense and stomp them anyway.

“We love you!” they cried, and some actually did.

“Prove it!” said the Giant.

The Giant said, “I’m hungry. Bring me food.”

The food was few and far between, not forthcoming enough to satisfy his enormous appetite.

He began to waste away. He got smaller. The people shared the food among themselves.

He got so small the people towered over him.

He gave up the ghost and they buried him in a shoebox.