"Is it possible that this little man can kill TEN GIANTS at one blow?" thought the giant. "I will be careful not to offend him."
So the giant said, "Good-day, my friend. I see that though you are a little man, you have great strength. Let us prove which of us is the stronger."
Then the giant led the cobbler to a great oak tree that had fallen to the ground.
"Help me carry this tree to yonder cave," he said.
"Certainly," said the cobbler. "You take the trunk on your shoulder, and I will carry the top and branches of the tree, which, of course, are the heaviest part."
The giant laid the trunk of the tree on his shoulder, but the cobbler sat at his ease among the branches, enjoying the ride.
So the giant, who could not see what was going on behind him, had to carry the whole tree, and the little man in the bargain. There the cobbler sat, in the best of spirits, whistling a merry tune as though carrying a tree was mere sport.
At last the giant could bear the weight no longer, and he shouted, "Hi, hi! I must let the tree fall."
Then the cobbler sprang nimbly down, seized the tree with both hands, as if he had carried it all the way, and called to the giant, "Think of a big fellow like you not being able to carry a tree!"
"Well," said the giant, "I will admit that you are the stronger. Come and spend the night in my cave."