Week 11 Story: The Fox and the Giant
While the fox was returning home from a long days journey, he stumbled upon a small village and decided to lodge there for the night. The villagers gave him a warm welcome and he entered one of their houses. To his surprise, there was no food to be found! He inquired why the villagers were without food and they explained that whatever game they caught or plants they grew were taken from them. Startled by this news, he asked where he could find this monster and the villagers directed him towards a tall mountain. Gracefully, the fox leaped from one rock to another until he reached the top of the mountain. Using his charm, he persuaded the giant to invite him for dinner. While eating, he slid half of his meal into his bag while the Giant wasn't looking. After stuffing his bag full, he bid the giant farewell and leaped down the mountainside. Once he returned to the village, he quietly distributed the food as to avoid having the Giant notice. The fox continued to go visit the giant and bring food to the villagers for several weeks. One day, the giant came down from his mountain peak home and saw all of the villagers well fed and happy. Outraged, he demanded to know where they got all this food from. While the villagers kept the giant distracted, the fox leaped up the side of the mountain and entered the giant's home. He found his water supply and slipped the oil from a poisonous plant. After the giant was unable to find the culprit, he returned to his home and resumed his normal activities. After a few days, the giant grew very ill and died from the poisonous plant. Rejoiced, the villagers offered to make the fox their leader, but he kindly refused the offer. He knew that power, much like what the giant had, could only lead to more trouble.
Authors Note:
In the original story, a rabbit (rather than a fox) kills a giant who was oppressing a village and stealing their food. They way he killed him, however, was though the use of a deadly bug bite. This seemed too easy and didn't make the main character important enough. I decided to change the animal to something more cunning and the method of the murder to something more active for the protagonist.
This story was based on How the Rabbit Killed the Giant.
This story is part of the Great Plains unit. Story source: Myths and Legends of the Great Plains by Katharine Berry Judson (1913).
I like the modifications you made to the original story. I agree, a fox with a cunning method for deceptive murder is much more thrilling than a rabbit with a bug. Your story reminded me of a fable, due to its short format. I would have loved to hear a few more details about what the giant and his cave looked like! I enjoyed reading this story! Great job!
ReplyDeleteHi Evan! I think the ways you changed the story definitely add more action and make the characters a little livelier than they were in the original. I also appreciate how short your story is. I have trouble with being kind of long-winded, so I always appreciate when people are able to keep it short and sweet without sacrificing plot.
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