But he fared no better than the Deer, for when he saw the Giant, who threatened to kill him if he refused to give him some fish, he was afraid, and let him take as much as he wanted.
Great was the disgust of the others to find on their return that their fish had again been stolen.
“Let me watch,” said the Bear. “No Giant shall frighten me. I will hug him in my arms and scratch him with my sharp claws.”
So Bruin was left in charge the next day, while the others went out to fish.
Soon he heard the Giant, who came to the foot of the steps and shouted: “Hullo! who’s there?”
“I am,” said the Bear. “Who are you, and what do you want?”
“I can smell some nice fish, and I am hungry, and want some.”
“I cannot let you have any,” said the Bear. “It does not belong to me.”
“Let me have some at once,” said the Giant in a voice of thunder, “before I kill and eat you.”
The Bear was too much frightened to interfere while the Giant ransacked the jars. When he had had enough, he bade the Bear “Good-bye” and went off.