Lullventyr
Jack the Giant Killer — cover illustration
Classic story

Jack the Giant Killer

by Joseph Jacobs

Jack, a clever young man from Cornwall, volunteers to save his village from the terrifying giant Cormoran. He digs a deep pit and tricks the huge monster into falling in, killing him with a pickaxe. After claiming the giant's treasure, Jack gains fame and sets off on new adventures. His journey leads him to an enchanted castle where he is captured by another giant named Blunderbore. He barely escapes death by strangling the giant and his brother with ropes while they are locked in a chamber. Later, a deceitful two-headed Welsh giant tries to kill Jack in his sleep but fails due to Jack's quick thinking. Jack outwits this monster by tricking him into opening his own belly. Along the way, he meets a generous prince who has spent all his money and decides to serve him. They travel together until they encounter a three-headed giant uncle of Jack's. Jack tricks the uncle into hiding so they can steal his magical gifts: an invisible coat, a knowing cap, and swift shoes. With these treasures, Jack helps the prince rescue a lady possessed by evil spirits from Lucifer. He continues to hunt down other giants, including Thunderdell who chases him across a bridge. Jack lures the giant onto a weakened drawbridge, causing him to fall into the moat below. Finally, he confronts the powerful Galligantua and breaks an enchantment that turned people into beasts. The story ends with Jack marrying the freed duke's daughter and living happily ever after.

How it begins

When good King Arthur reigned, there lived near the Land's End of England, in the county of Cornwall, a farmer who had one only son called Jack. He was brisk and of a ready lively wit, so that nobody or nothing could worst him. In those days the Mount of Cornwall was kept by a huge giant named Cormoran. He was eighteen feet in height, and about three yards round the waist, of a fierce and grim countenance, the terror of all the neighbouring towns and villages. He lived in a cave in the midst of the Mount, and whenever he wanted food he would wade over to the main-land, where he would furnish himself with whatever came in his…

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