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When he awoke and found that his lady had tricked him, and left

him alone on the wild rock, he said, 'Alas! what roguery there is

in the world!' and there he sat in great grief and fear, not

knowing what to do. Now this rock belonged to fierce giants who

lived upon it; and as he saw three of them striding about, he

thought to himself, 'I can only save myself by feigning to be

asleep'; so he laid himself down as if he were in a sound sleep.

When the giants came up to him, the first pushed him with his

foot, and said, 'What worm is this that lies here curled up?'

'Tread upon him and kill him,' said the second. 'It's not worth

the trouble,' said the third; 'let him live, he'll go climbing

higher up the mountain, and some cloud will come rolling and

carry him away.' And they passed on.