“I shall be able to master him, whoever he is,” said the Deer. “If he refuses to do what I wish, I shall soon punish him with my sharp horns.”
So the others went out fishing, leaving the Deer at home. Soon he heard the tramp of someone coming to the foot of the steps leading up into the hut, calling out:
“Is anyone at home?”
“I am here,” said the Deer. Looking out, he saw a great Giant, and his heart failed him. He wished he had asked one of his companions to stay at home with him.
“I smell some fish,” said the Giant. “I want some, and I must have it. I am hungry. Let me have what I want.”
“It does not belong to me,” said the Deer in great fear. “It belongs to the Pig, the Bear, the Tiger, and the Mouse-Deer. They would punish me severely if I gave any of it to you.”
“Don’t talk to me in that way. If you do not let me have what I want, I will eat you up,” said the Giant.
The Deer was too much awed by his visitor to attack the Giant, so he let him eat the fish and take some away with him.
When his companions returned, the Deer gave them his account of the Giant’s visit. They blamed him for his cowardice, and the Wild Boar said he would keep watch the next day.
“If the Giant comes,” said he, “I will gore him with my tusks and trample him underfoot.”