A poor Lapp once ran into the hands of a Giant, by whom he knew he
would be devoured if he could not conceive some means of outwitting
him. To this end he therefore proposed that they have a contest of
strength, the test to be that they should butt against a tree and see
which could drive his head farthest into it. He who could make the
deepest impression must, of course, be the stronger.
The Giant was first to make the trial. Taking his stand some distance
from a tall pine, with a spring forward he drove his head with furious
force against the trunk, but the most careful search did not discover a
mark caused by the blow. The Lapp then said that he would show his
strength the next day. During the night he made a large hollow in the
trunks of several trees and re-covered the cavities nicely with the
bark. Next morning, when the contest was renewed, the Lapp ran from
tree to tree, into each of which he thrust his head to his ears. The
Giant looked on, thoroughly crestfallen at the exhibition of strength,
but proposed that they have another trial. This time he who could throw
an ice ax highest into the air should be declared the victor. The Giant
threw first, and to such a height that the ax was almost lost to sight.
“That was a miserable throw,” said the Lapp. “When I throw it shall be
so high that it will lodge upon a cloud.”
“No, my dear!” shouted the Giant. “Rather let me acknowledge myself the
weaker, than lose my splendid ax.” Thus again the Lapp came off
champion.
The next day, as the Lapp and the Giant were out in company, the Lapp
gathered a number of willow twigs and began twisting them together.
“What are you about to do with those?” asked the Giant.
“I mean to carry away your treasure house,” answered the Lapp.
“Oh, my son,” sighed the Giant, “let me retain my house, and I will
fill your hat with silver.”
“Very well,” replied the Lapp.
While the Giant was away after the silver, the Lapp dug a pit, cut a
hole in his hat crown and sat the hat over the pit.
“It’s a big hat you have,” complained the Giant.
“Fill it up!” shouted the Lapp. “Otherwise I’ll throw you, as I would
have done the ice ax, up into the clouds.” And the Giant was compelled
to give the Lapp such a sum of money that he was ever after a rich man.