The book of friendly giants

Chapter 14: IV The Cunning of Fin’s Wife

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About This Book

A collection of whimsical tales draws on European folklore to portray giants as gentle, helpful, and often comic figures. Episodes vary from a herdboy aiding an injured giant to voyages, trickster encounters with gods, saintly transformations, and playful retellings of legendary episodes like Gargantua. Stories alternate between adventure, moral lesson, and clever reversals that show giants rescuing or befriending humans rather than threatening them. Interlaced with humorous introductions and evocative illustrations, the pieces emphasize largeness of heart, folk wisdom, and the congenial side of mythic beings.

IV
The Cunning of Fin’s Wife

From the stories we have told,

One may learn what giants’ lives are;

Here’s a tale of giants bold

Which will show what giants’ wives are:

How the doughty Fin M’Coul

Fled Cucullin, who was stouter;

Sought his faithful wife; and who’ll

Say he could have done without her?

How she put her spouse to bed,

Planning that Cucullin, maybe,

Would her husband learn to dread

If he took Fin for their baby:

If the babe be strong as this,

Thought Cucullin, I would rather

Hesitate to meet with his

Proud, perhaps pugnacious father.

So from out the house of Fin

See the hulking fellow hustle:

Thus a woman’s wit may win

Over bulk and brawn and muscle.

Seymour Barnard.