A Lonely Giant

“I’m sorry to disturb you, sir, but may I have a moment of your time?” said the elder Troll.

The Giant raised his head from his nap and stared with astonishment at the Troll.

“Why certainly, my little friend, how may I help you this fine afternoon?” replied the Giant.

“Well, I was passing by and I saw you sleeping here and wondered if you would mind company. Unlike a handsome young Giant like yourself. I am shunned by the villagers who think I will eat their babies,” said the Troll.

“Will you?” asked the Giant.

“Certainly not. I’m a Finnish Troll, and unlike my cousin, I can’t stand the taste of human flesh. Goats are our preferred flavor.”

“Terribly sorry to offend you. I’ve never met a Finnish Troll before,” remarked the Giant.

“That’s OK, most don’t even bother to let us explain. It’s always ‘Troll! Let’s Kill It’ or some other threat,” replied the Troll.

“I see,” remarked the Giant.

“Well, as I was saying, I don’t get to talk to many folks due to my appearance. I was wondering if you might allow me to stay with you. This way, I could have a friend,” said the Troll.

The Giant sat in stunned silence. No one had ever asked him to be a friend in all his days of stomping around.

After a moment, the Giant spoke. “Crawl up on my hand,” he said. “I want to get a better look at my new friend. My name is Edward. What is yours?” asked the Giant.

“Ha ha, it’s been so long since anyone has asked my name, I almost forgot. I’m Muzhichik, son of Yattle and Trillium,” the Troll said.

Well, Muzhichik, son of Yattle and Trillium, what shall we talk about?” questioned the Giant.

“Let me see,” said the Troll. “Why don’t we talk about all the wonderful things we enjoy about Autumn,” replied Muzhichik.

“Splendid, why don’t you start?” the Giant said.

The Troll beamed like a radiant star. He told his friend about the tree colors. He also spoke of Autumn smells, cool crisp apples, and the taste of ice-cold mountain streams.

The friends talked until the stars blanketed the sky. Then, both lay down for the best night of sleep in over a century.

You see, when you have a friend who understands your loneliness, sleep is not about nightmares. Instead, it is about dreams of the mornings to come. It is about the adventure yet to be explored.

The Giant was no longer lonely as well. That night, he dreamt of castles in the sky where the air was fresh and the mead flowed endlessly.

The Troll dreamed of relaxing near a mountain brook and sharing a meal with his new friend.

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