One day as he journeyed on he met an old man, who greeted him pleasantly.
“Will you tell me, good sire, how far it is to King Fortune’s country?” questioned Mansur.
“You are almost there,” replied the old man. “You have only to travel through that forest.” He pointed to a stretch of woods just ahead of them and Mansur said joyfully, “I am glad it is so near, for I have traveled far.”
“Ah! my son,” said the old man, “the hardest part of the journey is still before you.”
“How can that be?” asked Mansur; “the wood is not large and I will soon be out of it.”
“It is the abode of three terrible giants,” said the old man, “and they will surely kill you. It would be death to go through that wood.”
“I’ll try,” was the answer, and the brave Mansur started for the wood.
He walked very cautiously, looking to the right and left, but saw no sign of the giants. When night came he slept in the midst of some bushes and as he closed his eyes he wondered if the giants would find him. Early the next morning he arose and when he had eaten some berries and a slice of bread he continued his way through the wood. Suddenly he spied in the distance an immense giant coming toward him.
The giant was looking on the ground and had not seen Mansur, who quick as a flash climbed a tree and was hidden among its branches.
Mansur did not get out of the way a minute too soon, because the giant approached with heavy steps. He passed right under the tree where Mansur was hiding, and the boy had a good look at him.