)
``How did you get such huge, huge hands?''
``Threshing with an iron flail! Threshing with an
iron flail!'' (GRUFFLY.)
``How did you get such a small, small neck?''
``Aih-h-h!--late--and wee-e-e-moul!'' (PITIFULLY.)
``How did you get such a huge, huge head?''
``Much knowledge, much knowledge!'' (KEENLY.)
``What do you come for?''
``FOR YOU! ! !'' (AT THE TOP OF THE VOICE, WITH A
WAVE OF THE ARMS AND A STAMP OF THE FEET.)
THE BENEVOLENT GOBLIN
FROM GESTA ROMANORUM (ADAPTED)
In the kingdom of England there is a hillock in
the midst of a dense wood. Thither in old days
knights and their followers were wont to repair
when tired and thirsty after the chase. When one
of their number called out, ``I thirst!'' there
immediately started up a Goblin with a cheerful
countenance, clad in a crimson robe, and bearing
in his outstretched hand a large drinking-horn
richly ornamented with gold and precious jewels,
and full of the most delicious, unknown beverage.
The Goblin presented the horn to the thirsty
knight, who drank and instantly felt refreshed
and cool. After the drinker had emptied the horn,
the Goblin offered a silken napkin to wipe the
mouth. Then, without waiting to be thanked, the
strange creature vanished as suddenly as he had
come.
Now once there was a knight of churlish nature,
who was hunting alone in those parts.
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