GIANT JOHN Revised by M.Russell There was once a giant called Giant John and he wanted a wife He looked here and there and at last found her She was kind and very beautiful, her name was Emmelina There was just one problem, Emmelia only reached to his knee “I am very fond of you, Giant John” she told him, “but I can not marry you, I am afraid you might squash me flat” So Giant John went away and sat sadly on a rock He rested his chin in his hands and thought what he could Just then a little green frog jumped up beside him, “something wrong, eh”? Giant John gently picket up the frog with his hand and told him what was the matter “Ah”, said the frog wisely, “I know just what you must Go to the other side of the world and there you will find a field of purple daisies Make a daisy crown for your Emmelina, then bring it home and place it on her head Soon she will grow as tall as you” “Are you sure”? Asked the giant “Yes” said the frog “Well that’s wonderful” He set of on his journey, his long legs made big steps and he was soon on the other side of the world After searching for a while he found the field, made a daisy crown and came home again “Look Emmelina” he said, holding out the crown “If you wear this, you will become tall like me, and then we can get married” “Oh no“, said Emmelina “I don’t want to be big I love you deeply Giant John, but if I was a giant like you I would never be able to visit my mother and father, or my brothers and sisters, for fear I might squash them all flat” Poor Giant John, he went away again and sat on his rock, he was very unhappy Then the little green frog came by his side and told him: “On the other side of the world you will find a lake of wine, it is said that those who drink it, will become as small as they wish” “Really?" said the giant, feeling cheered “Then I will try it, if Emmelina won’t become a giant then I don’t mind at all being her size, it will be a nice change” So off he went to the other side of the world and there he found the lake of wine After a few sips, he began to shrink and soon he was the size to be Emmelina’s husband He danced and sang and then he saw how foolish he had been Here he was on the other side of the world with only ordinary legs to get him back home He should have waited until his giant legs had carried him home, before drinking the wine Thinking of Emmelina he bravely set of to walk all the way back to her It was seven long years before he arrived home, in the end he was very tired When he came to Emmelina’s house, he heard someone crying in the garden “Can I help you”? He asked and then he saw it was his dear Emmelina She turned around, looked at him and said; “seven years ago today, I told Giant John that I could not marry him and then he went away, but I am so very sad, if only he would come back to me” John told her who he was and what had happened to him Within a very short time they were married and one of the guest’s was of course, the little green frog