The giant, after he had dragged the heavy burden part
of the way, could go no further, and cried, "Hark you, I shall have
to let the tree fall!" The tailor sprang nimbly down, seized the tree
with both arms as if he had been carrying it, and said to the giant,
"Thou art such a great fellow, and yet canst not even carry the tree!"
They went on together, and as they passed a cherry-tree, the giant
laid hold of the top of the tree where the ripest fruit was hanging,
bent it down, gave it into the tailor's hand, and bade him eat. But the
little tailor was much too weak to hold the tree, and when the giant
let it go, it sprang back again, and the tailor was hurried into the air
with it. When he had fallen down again without injury, the giant said,
"What is this? Hast thou not strength enough to hold the weak twig?"
"There is no lack of strength," answered the little tailor. "Dost thou
think that could be anything to a man who has struck down seven at one
blow? I leapt over the tree because the huntsmen are shooting down there
in the thicket. Jump as I did, if thou canst do it.
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