Jalmir saw a great fish on the beach which was trying in vain to get back to the water. “Help it,” said the steed; and Jalmir, springing to the ground, helped the fish.
The fish sank under the water, but soon came to the surface and said to Jalmir: “Wait, I must reward thee. Take this whistle, and shouldst thou need aught from me, blow.”
Jalmir took the whistle from the fish’s lips, gave thanks, and sat again on his steed. After a time they heard as it were distant thunder. “What is that?” asked he of the horse.
“We shall soon be at the end of our journey,” said the steed; “those are giants talking.”
In a short time Jalmir saw three giants lying on the beach. When he came up they rose, and now he saw their stature. When he looked in their faces he had to bend back his head as if looking at the highest tower.
“What is the good word?” roared one of them, so that Jalmir had to cover his ears.
“I bring three hundred loaves of bread, three hundred kegs of wine, and three hundred slaughtered oxen,” answered he.
“That is good of thee,” said the giants, nodding their heads with satisfaction; and they rushed to the wagons in which the things were placed. They built a fire, and stuck the oxen on great spits to roast; then they went to the bread and wine, and soon had half inside themselves. A great eagle settled down near by, and looked wistfully at the beeves. Jalmir cut off a quarter and gave it to the eagle.
“Thank thee!” said the eagle. “I will help thee in time;” and she rose in the air with the quarter.
The giants did not leave the oxen very long over the fire; and when they had finished, they said to Jalmir: “Now tell us thy wish; well do we know that ye little worms of the earth do nothing for nothing.”