I 'm just on my way there . What do you say to accompanying me ? '' The giant looked contemptuously at the tailor , and said : `` What a poor wretched little creature you are ! '' `` That 's a good joke , '' answered the little tailor , and unbuttoning his coat he showed the giant the girdle . `` There now , you can read what sort of a fellow I am . '' The giant read : `` Seven at a blow '' ; and thinking they were human beings the tailor had slain , he conceived a certain respect for the little man . But first he thought he 'd test him , so taking up a stone in his hand , he squeezed it till some drops of water ran out . `` Now you do the same , '' said the giant , `` if you really wish to be thought strong . '' `` Is that all ? '' said the little tailor ; `` that 's child 's play to me , '' so he dived into his wallet , brought out the cheese , and pressed it till the whey ran out . `` My squeeze was in sooth better than yours , '' said he . The giant did n't know what to say , for he could n't have believed it of the little fellow . To prove him again , the giant lifted a stone and threw it so high that the eye could hardly follow it . `` Now , my little pigmy , let me see you do that . '' `` Well thrown , '' said the tailor ; `` but , after all , your stone fell to the ground ; I 'll throw one that wo n't come down at all . '' He dived into his wallet again , and grasping the bird in his hand , he threw it up into the air . The bird , enchanted to be free , soared up into the sky , and flew away never to return . `` Well , what do you think of that little piece of business , friend ? '' asked the tailor . `` You can certainly throw , '' said the giant ; `` but now let 's see if you can carry a proper weight . ''
With these words he led the tailor XXXXX a huge oak tree which had been felled to the ground , and said : `` If you are strong enough , help me to carry the tree out of the wood . ''
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