The valley before him widened as the giant walked for hours through the fields until he came along a winding river. As the sun sank gently behind the hills a cool breeze began to blow. The next town was said to be only a few more miles up the valley, but the giant thought it might be best to get a good night's sleep before continuing his journey. He found a spot in on the banks of the river that was clear of trees and, making a pillow of his satchel and a blanket of his coat, stretched out and soon fell fast asleep.
That night he dreamed about the perfect feast. The evening was warm and scent of honeysuckle from the garden wafted through the courtyard. His guests (giants all) danced to the music of a string quartet and laughter and conversation could be heard in the garden. Everyone was well dressed and the food was excellent and abundant enough for all to have their fill. The wine flowed endlessly and everyone complimented him on the vintage. His staff was attentive to the needs of his guests but careful to avoid being accidentally crushed as the evening wore on and the giant's footfalls became less planned. Everyone agreed it was the best feast ever and begged to be invited to the next one, whenever it might be held.
The morning sun awoke the giant. As he rose and stretched he noticed a slight haze in the morning air. The faint smell of wood smoke tickled his nose. He gathered up his satchel and walked up the valley along the river's edge.
As he approached the town he could see something was very different than the last town he had visited. The farmer's fields had all been harvested and sat untended. The livestock was nowhere to be seen and the fences lay partly on the ground. The haze of wood smoke filled the air and made it hard to breathe or see very far. Coming upon the town proper, the giant was disheartened. The buildings were mostly destroyed by fire. Timbers stuck out at odd angles and smoldering piles of ash and empty and broken cheese pots littered the streets. The well at the center of town miraculously had been spared, but when the giant lowered the bucket it came up bone dry. Except for the occasional crackle of fire the place was dead silent. Then, faintly from the hills above the town, came the sound of a large bell ringing. The giant could not see where the sound was coming from as the smoke was too thick. He carefully made his way out of town and up the hill towards the sound.
