Jack the Giant Killer

Long ago, in the days of King Arthur, there lived in Cornwall a farmer’s son named Jack. He was not the biggest boy in the village, but he was brave, quick-thinking, and kind. People in those days were troubled by giants—huge, greedy beings who stole cattle, broke bridges, and frightened travelers. Jack decided he would use his courage and his clever mind to make the roads safe again.

The worst of the giants near Cornwall was Cormoran, who lived on St. Michael’s Mount. At night he would stride across the causeway to steal sheep and cows. Jack made a plan. Before dawn he dug a deep pit on the path to the mount and covered it with sticks and turf so it looked like the ground. Then he stood a safe distance away and blew his horn. The blast echoed over the sea. Cormoran roared and thundered down the path to catch whoever dared to wake him. His heavy feet pounded closer—then the ground gave way! The giant tumbled into the pit. Jack did not waste a moment. He finished the battle swiftly and bravely, and the people of Cornwall were free from Cormoran at last.

The Duke of Cornwall was so grateful that he gave Jack a fine sword and a belt embroidered with these words: “This is the valiant Cornishman who slew the giant Cormoran.” From that day, everyone called him Jack the Giant Killer.

Soon after, Jack set out for Wales, where more giants caused trouble. On the road he was seized by Blunderbore, a fierce giant who lived in a great stone castle. Blunderbore locked Jack in a room and boasted that he and his brother would make a meal of him. Jack looked around carefully and kept his wits. He found a coil of strong rope and hid it.

When night fell, Blunderbore and his brother drank themselves sleepy and dropped into heavy snores. Quiet as a cat, Jack slipped out. He looped the rope around the giants’ ankles and tied the other end to a thick beam. Then he woke them with a shout. The startled giants leapt up and yanked so hard they pulled themselves off their feet and crashed to the floor. Before they could untangle themselves, Jack sprang forward with his sword. With quick, brave strokes, he ended their cruelty and freed the other captives locked in the castle. They cheered Jack and hurried home, blessing the clever Cornish boy who had saved them.

Jack went on, traveling deeper into Wales. One evening, a two-headed giant with a voice like thunder offered Jack a place to sleep. Jack accepted, but he watched the giant closely. Later, the giant crept into the room with a huge club and smashed the bed to splinters. But Jack had guessed the trick. He had slipped out before the blow and curled up safely in a dark corner. In the morning, the giant was amazed to see Jack alive. “I gave you a tap on the head last night,” he rumbled. “Did you feel it?”

“Oh, a little,” Jack said calmly, though his heart thumped fast. “I sleep soundly.”

Trying to show his strength, the giant picked up a stone and squeezed it until trickles of water ran out. Jack, who had tucked a leather bag of broth beneath his coat, squeezed the bag until broth streamed down. “I can squeeze water too,” he said cheerfully. The two-headed brute frowned, unsure now who was stronger. Later, when the giant dozed by the fire, Jack chose his moment, drew his sword, and bravely ended the danger so no traveler would ever fear that house again.

News of Jack’s courage reached King Arthur’s court. Jack was invited to a grand feast. But in the middle of the merrymaking a giant named Thunderdell burst into the hall. He stomped between the tables, snapping platters and shouting that he would drag off the king and his knights. Jack stepped forward. “You face me,” he said. “Follow if you dare!” He led Thunderdell out to a narrow bridge over a deep moat. Jack danced lightly across; the giant barreled after him. At Jack’s signal, the ropes were cut. The bridge tilted, and Thunderdell tumbled and floundered. Jack sprang to the edge and, with a clean, bold strike, ended the giant’s roaring for good.

King Arthur honored Jack for saving the court. As a reward, the king’s wise men gave him four special gifts: a cap of knowledge that told him what to do in danger, a coat of invisibility to hide him from wicked eyes, shoes of swiftness to carry him like the wind, and a sword of sharpness that never failed a brave hand.

With these gifts, Jack set out once more. He heard of a giant named Galligantus and a wicked enchanter who lived together in a dark castle. They had filled the forests with fear, stealing travelers and turning them into birds, beasts, and stones with cruel spells. Jack put on his cap of knowledge and listened. The cap whispered how to break the sorcery: “Find the book of magic and destroy it.”

Wearing his coat of invisibility, Jack slipped past the gate and crept through shadowy halls. In a high room, the enchanter bent over a great book. Jack moved quietly and snatched it away. The enchanter whirled, but Jack’s shoes of swiftness carried him down the stairs like a streak of light. In the courtyard, he hurled the book into a cauldron of fire. With a crack and a rush of air, the spells burst. Birds became boys and girls again. Stones shimmered into freed men and women. Their cries of joy rose like bells.

Galligantus stormed into the yard, smashing doors from their hinges. He searched for the thief, but Jack, still hidden by his coat, waited for the right moment. Then he threw off the coat, stood tall, and faced the giant. “Your evil ends today,” he declared. The giant charged. Jack’s shoes flashed. He dodged and darted. When Galligantus stumbled, Jack leapt forward. With the sword of sharpness and all his courage, he ended the battle swiftly.

The rescued folk gathered around Jack, among them a noble lady who had been taken from the Duke of Cornwall’s home. They thanked him again and again, and together they traveled back to King Arthur’s court. There, before the great hearth, the king made Jack a knight. The people cheered for Sir Jack the Giant Killer, the clever, brave Cornishman who brought peace to roads and villages.

In time, Jack married the noble lady he had saved, and the king gave them a happy wedding feast. Jack kept his gifts safe and his sword ready, not to boast, but to protect the weak whenever danger came near. And though giants grew scarce after that, everyone knew that if a shadow ever darkened the hillside again, Jack’s courage and quick mind would find the light.