Stories About Giants

This collection of Stories About Giants presents a range of tales highlighting the strength, wisdom, and sometimes mischief of giants in folklore, mythology, and fairy tales. From classic legends to lesser-known narratives, these stories explore encounters between humans, magical creatures, and the giants who shape their fates.

In tales of Legendary Giants, Prometheus, a Titan who sided with Zeus, helps humanity by bringing fire to mortals, defying Zeus until a long struggle leads to his eventual release and the acceptance of his sacrifice. St. George and the Dragon recounts the tale of a knight who battles a fierce dragon terrorizing a kingdom, ultimately restoring peace and marrying the princess, Una. In The Building of the Wall of Asgard, a giant is hired by Odin to build a protective wall but loses his reward when Loki disrupts the construction.

The theme of Clever Heroes and Giants features several adventurous figures outwitting powerful giants. In Jack and the Beanstalk, young Jack climbs a magical beanstalk, entering a giant’s realm to retrieve treasures that belong to his family. Molly Whuppie cleverly evades capture and outwits a giant multiple times, stealing treasures and securing her family’s future. The The Brave Little Tailor uses his cunning rather than strength to trick a giant, gaining royal favor and eventually marrying the king’s daughter.

In tales of Giants and Friendship, The Selfish Giant learns the value of kindness when he opens his garden to children, transforming his once-wintry garden into a place of eternal spring. The Lonely Giant highlights the bond between a family and a giant who finds happiness in their companionship, creating a lasting friendship.

Adventures In Magical Realms feature giants within enchanted landscapes. In The Quest for the Nightingale, the fairy Pease-Blossom rescues the queen’s nightingale from goblins, leading to a joyous celebration in fairyland. The Giant Who Had No Heart in His Body tells of Boots, who embarks on a journey to rescue his brothers and their brides, ultimately overcoming a giant through clever determination.

For tales of Giants in Folklore, Old Three Heads depicts the story of Lucy, a girl who outsmarts a three-headed giant with the help of talking animals, while Nix Nought Nothing narrates the king’s son’s escape from a giant’s clutches with the help of the giant’s daughter. Finally, in The King of the Waterfalls, a young king confronts giants and overcomes challenges, securing his wife’s rescue and fulfilling his journey.

These stories of giants—from protective guardians to cunning adversaries—offer readers a variety of encounters with these towering figures, all with themes of bravery, friendship, and the triumph of cleverness.