The Girl and the Gentle Giant

The Girl and the Gentle Giant - Author : Ebru Mina TOMURCUK

Once upon a time, in a forest full of tall trees and singing birds, lived a cheerful girl named Lily. She had warm lightbrown skin, curly dark-brown hair in two bouncy pigtails, and a gap-toothed smile. Every morning, she put on her bright yellow raincoat and red rubber boots and skipped into the woods with her canvas satchel. Lily loved to explore and talk to the animals. The forest was her favorite place in the whole world. 1

One day, while chasing a butterfly, Lily heard a deep, rumbly sound. 'Ho, ho, ho!' It was a laugh as big as thunder. She peeked behind a giant oak tree and gasped. There stood a giant three times as tall as the tallest tree! His skin was mossy green, and his shaggy bark-brown beard was full of tiny twigs. Soft amber eyes twinkled down at her, and little flowers sprouted from his shoulders. 2

Lily wasn't scared at all. 'Hello!' she called up. 'I'm Lily. Who are you?' The giant knelt down slowly, so as not to frighten her. 'I am Boulder,' he said in a voice like a gentle breeze. 'I protect the woodland animals.' Lily smiled her gap-toothed smile. 'That's wonderful! I love animals too.' And just like that, a friendship began between the smallest girl and the biggest giant. 3

Boulder showed Lily his favorite spots. He lifted fallen logs so rabbits could pass, and he gently moved branches so birds could build nests. 'Your strength is amazing,' said Lily. Boulder chuckled. 'Strength is only good if it helps others,' he said. Lily nodded. She opened her satchel and shared a honey cookie with him. It was the size of a crumb to Boulder, but he savored it happily. 4

A little robin with an orange-red breast and a blue ribbon on her leg fluttered down. 'Hello! I'm Pip,' she chirped. 'I scout the forest and keep watch.' Pip liked Lily's yellow raincoat and followed her everywhere. Together, Lily, Boulder, and Pip explored the woods. They found a shy rabbit named Hazel with long floppy ears and a tiny green leaf behind one ear. She peeked from behind a bush. 5

Hazel spoke in a tiny voice. 'The storm is coming,' she whispered. 'I can feel it in my whiskers.' Boulder looked at the sky. Dark clouds were gathering. 'We must warn everyone,' he said. Lily nodded. 'Pip, can you fly and tell the birds?' Pip chirped bravely and zoomed off. 'Hazel, you warn the rabbits and deer,' said Lily. 'Boulder, you make sure everyone is safe.' 6

The storm arrived with loud thunder and heavy rain. Boulder stretched out his big arms like a roof, and all the animals huddled under him. Lily's raincoat kept her dry. Pip tucked under Boulder's beard. Hazel pressed close to Lily's boots. The wind howled, but the giant stood firm. 'Don't worry,' Boulder said softly. 'I've got you.' And he did, through the whole long, wild night. 7

In the morning, the forest was a mess. Branches were everywhere, and some animal homes were broken. Pip flew down, her feathers ruffled. 'My nest is gone!' she chirped sadly. Hazel hopped up. 'My burrow is flooded,' she said, her floppy ears drooping. 'What will we do?' Lily looked at Boulder. 'We can fix this,' she said. 'Together.' Boulder smiled. 'Yes, we can.' 8

Lily opened her canvas satchel and took out wooden pegs, rope, and a small hammer. Boulder opened his patched brown satchel. 'I have more pegs and rope,' he said. 'Let's start with the nests.' Boulder gently lifted fallen branches while Lily hammered pegs into place. Pip flew around, showing where each nest should go. Hazel gathered soft moss and dry leaves for bedding. Everyone had a job. 9

They worked all day. Boulder's great strength made the heavy work easy. He carried huge logs as if they were twigs. Lily's small hands were quick and careful. She tied knots and placed pegs just right. The birds sang a working song, and the rabbits thumped their feet in rhythm. Even the deer came to help, carrying branches in their antlers. The forest was full of teamwork and kindness. 10

By afternoon, the new nests were high in the trees. The burrows were dry and cozy. 'Hooray!' cheered Pip, doing a happy loop in the air. Hazel hopped in circles, her leaf hat bouncing. The other animals gathered around. 'You saved our homes!' they cried. Lily blushed. 'We all did it together,' she said. Boulder nodded. 'And Lily's small hands were just as important as my big ones.' 11

The animals wanted to thank them. The birds wove a crown of flowers and placed it on Lily's head. The rabbits brought fresh berries, and the deer found sweet clover. 'For your kindness,' they said. Lily shared the treats with everyone. Pip landed on Boulder's shoulder and sang a cheerful tune. Hazel cuddled next to Lily. It was a party to remember, filled with laughter and friendship. 12

Boulder looked down at Lily. 'You see,' he said, 'strength should always serve kindness. You taught me that.' Lily hugged his big thumb. 'And you taught me that even the smallest friend can make a big difference,' she said. The sun set, painting the sky pink and gold. The animals cheered one more time. 'Hooray for Lily and Boulder!