Tiny and the Ogre
Once upon a time, a poor woodman lived with his family consisting of seven sons. The youngest child was so small that he earned the nickname Tiny from everyone. Despite his size, Tiny was a quick-witted and sharp individual.
Struggling Times
Such was the woodman’s poverty that he barely managed to provide for his family. Things turned grimmer during a year of famine, and he found himself unable to provide enough food for his family.
The dire situation led the woodman and his wife to a desperate plan. They decided to take their children deep into the woods, hoping some kindhearted person would discover them and provide for them. Unbeknown to them, Tiny overheard their melancholic whispers detailing the plan.
Tiny’s Brilliant Plan
The following morning, Tiny visited the nearby river, collecting small white pebbles. Later, when his father took the family for a walk in the dense forest, Tiny stayed in the rear of the group, dropping pebbles along the path.
The father, oblivious to Tiny’s actions, led them deeper where the path was like a maze. As the family rested, the father discreetly returned home, leaving the children behind. With nightfall, the fearful children followed Tiny back home using the marker pebbles he had cleverly dropped.
The Second Lost Walk
The reunion with their parents was short-lived as hunger clawed back into their lives, forcing the parents to reconsider their desperate plan. This time, Tiny used breadcrumbs of their last loaf as markers. However, hungry birds feasted on the breadcrumbs leaving him with no trail back home.
A Frightful Encounter
With no guiding trail, the boys had to seek shelter elsewhere. They came across a light in the distance leading them to a house. The homeowner, a woman, warned them about her husband – a terrible ogre. Despite the warning, hunger forced them to stay, hoping they could leave before the ogre returned.
Their worst fears came true when the ogre returned home sooner than expected. The brothers hid, but the ogre’s suspicions led to their discovery. Realising they were too thin due to starvation to be a satisfying meal, the ogre decided to fatten them before devouring them.
Victory for Tiny
Later, Tiny managed to steal the ogre’s magic boots that covered seven leagues per step. He wore the boots and sped towards the king’s palace, where he informed the king about the fearsome ogre. The king sent his army, leading to the ogre’s demise and discovery of stolen treasures.
The grateful king rewarded Tiny with a bag full of gold. The boys returned to their parents, bringing joy and financial relief. The gold bought them food and comfort for the rest of their lives.