4. The Giantess

Title: Hasler, Eveline and Renate Seelig. Translated by Laura McKenna. The Giantess. Brooklyn, NY: Kane/Miller Book Publishers, 1997.

Summary:

A lonely giantess named Emmeline lives at the edge of the forest so she won't frighten people (as she did unwittingly one day to a woman picking mushrooms). Emmeline's mother, a woman of normal size, predicted that she would forever be alone, and that no man would ever love her, since "men expect women to look up to them." A young woodsman built a cabin near Emmeline's house. He saw her face in the window and waved each time he saw her. She waved back, and their relationship slowly grew. One day, a carnival came to the nearby town, and the woodsman decided to invite Emmeline. He knocked at her door, and rang the bell, but there was no answer, so he opened the door and peeked in. He saw Emmeline asleep and was amazed to see that she was a giantess. However, she was more beautiful than he ever imagined. Quietly, he left, and decided to keep this to himself. The next day, he invited her to the carnival. At first, she demurred, fearing her size would scare the townspeople. The woodsman encouraged her, saying that everyone would be in costume, and she could be anything she wanted. They went to the carnival, and Emmeline was much admired. Suddenly, another giant approached! The young man danced with Emmeline to the delight of the crowd, and Emmeline was very happy to meet someone her own size at last. Just then, a small child pulled on the giant's trousers, only to reveal stilts! He toppled to the ground, revealing his true identity as Emmeline's woodsman neighbor. She wept. The crowd, dismayed, asked if she were a real giantess. Emmeline admitted that she was, but far from being afraid, the people were amazed and thrilled. Now the woodsman came forward, and admitted that he had known Emmeline's secret for sometime, but admired her because her height reminded him of his friends, the trees. The next day, they walked hand in hand through the great forest.

Cultural origins and how identified: This is quoted from the book's colophon: "Originally published in 1996 in Germany under title Die Riesin by Verlag Heinrich Ellermann, Munich, Germany." This is a modern folktale written in a traditional mode.

Audience: According to a School Library Journal review, the tale works for Kindergarten-Grade 2 [ages 5-8]. I think it would also be good for older children, since its tale of acceptance is worth hearing. This tale would be good for a library program or as a part of a lesson on tolerance in a classroom.

Notes on adaptation for telling: This is a wonderful tale about valuing individual differences, with understated feminist notes. The tale should be told with varying emotions: sadness when the giantess weeps, joy when she finds her "soul mate". The somewhat open-ended finish to the tale could offer some opportunities for the audience to suggest what happens. Do they live happily ever after?