Prince Roland and the Giant.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue I, 5 July 1902, Page 57

Prince Roland and the Giant.

Once a young prince called Roland set out. to seek his fortune. After travelling for a long time Roland came to a beautiful city. It was surrounded by very high walls. He went in at the gates with a crowd of other people, and as he was very tired he found the best inn, and stayed all night. The next morning the innkeeper asked him what business he was in. “I have no business. I am only se. king my fortune,” replied Roland. “D > you know’ of any fortune that can b found without too much trouble?’ “Why. yes,” said the innkeeper. “1 know of a fine one. Why don’t you go and kill the giant?” “What giant?” asked Roland. “Why, the giant that lives on the mountain over there,” said the innkeeper. “Why should I kill him?” asked Roland. “He never did anything to me.” “But. the giant has the fortune,” explained the innkeeper. “Anyone who kills him can have it. He is a very fierce giant, too. He used to come here to this city and behave shamefully. He used to pick up our houses and turn them upside down. Then he would shake them, and all the gold and silver that fell out of them he would carry off. If people said anything to him he would just step on them and squash them flat. But now that we have built these walls he can’t get in? Roland declared that he would go and kill the giant. As soon as Roland said that the innkeeper ran out in the street, and began to wave his arms and jump up and down and shout. A great crowd of people gathered at once, and the innkeeper told them that Roland -.-/as g>ing to kill the giant. Then all the peo-ple-cheered, and the mayor of the e’.tv came up and shook hands with Roland, and patted him on- the head. Then all the people cheered some more, and they put him on a fiery steed and gave him a spear. The eity gates were opened, and an immense procession formed. There were six dozen brass bands in front of Roland, and six dozen behind him. and they ail played, with all the people joining in the chorus. The people and the bands left him at the eity gates, and he rode on alone.

Roland rode for a long time without seeming to get mueh nearer to the mountain on which stood the giant’s castle. The spear he carried was so heavy that it made his arms ache, an I he threw it away. He seemed to get on much better after this, and it was just about noon when he rode up to the giant’s castle. The giant was painting the fron: |s>reh. and he stopped and frowned fearfully when he saw Roland. “Here’s another one of them,” he growled. He was so large and Roland was so frightened that he just sat still on his horse without saying a word. “Well, what do you want?” said the giant. “You came up here to kill me. and get my fortune, I suppose, didn’t you ?” No. sir, ’ said Roland. ’’The people down there in that city did say seme thing alaiut it, and they gave me a siiear to kill you with, but I told them I would not hurt you for the world, and I threw the spear away. I came up here to get away from their bands of music more than anything else.” “Come in and have lunch,” said thgiant. “I am glad to see you. Y< u took like quite a sensible young fellow. At first I thought that you were one of those cusps that come up here and Sing serenades under the window of th ■ beautiful princess, that I keep shut up. I can t stand that, and I generally out and eat them alive, just to put them out nf misery.” “Haye you a really and truly beautiful princess shut up in your castle?” asked Roland. “Of course. I have,” said the giant. They got quite well acquainted, an 1 the giant took a great liking to Roland. “Now. see here.” he said, as they finished lunch, “you are out seeking a fortune. I have dozens of fortunes” in my treasure vaults, and you can take your pick. Now you stay here and b? company for me and the princess.” Roland said that would be fine, and the princess said so too, and as she had not seen a single prince near for ever so long she thought that Roland was ie finest prince that ever was; so they were married, and lived happily for ever.