The Invisible Giant

The Invisible Giant Yavuz DEMİRKIRAN

In a green valley, a friendly giant named Gilbert lived in a cave. He had warm tan skin, thick curly chestnut-brown hair, and a bushy beard. His hazel eyes twinkled kindly, and his big round nose made him look jolly. He wore a moss-green tunic with a rope belt and brown leather boots. Gilbert loved to help the villagers, but he often felt lonely because he was so big and different. 1

One sunny morning, Gilbert found a small blue bottle near his cave. It had a label that said 'Invisibility Potion' in tiny letters. Gilbert thought it was a bottle of berry juice and took a big gulp. Suddenly, his hands began to fade. His arms, legs, and even his big round nose disappeared! Gilbert looked down and could not see his own toes. 'Oh dear,' he said, 'I'm invisible!' 2

At first, Gilbert thought being invisible was fun. He tiptoed through the village and played playful tricks. He lifted a basket of apples just as someone reached for it. He made a hat float in the air. The villagers gasped and laughed. Gilbert chuckled, but no one could see his big gentle smile. Soon the fun faded, and Gilbert felt very lonely. 3

Gilbert tried to talk to the villagers. 'Hello!' he boomed. But they only heard a loud rumble and looked around, puzzled. He tried to help carry water, but the bucket seemed to move by itself, and people ran away. Gilbert sat by the river, invisible and sad. 'Nobody can see me,' he sighed. 'Nobody knows where I am.' 4

In the village lived a kind child named Milly. She was about eight years old, small and quick, with light brown skin and black hair in two short braids. She wore a yellow raincoat over a blue dress and red boots. She carried a small satchel with a magnifying glass. Milly loved to explore and notice things others missed. 5

One afternoon, Milly was walking near the river with her goat, Pip. Pip had a shaggy cream-white coat, floppy ears, and small curled horns. He wore a red collar with a little brass bell. Suddenly, Pip bleated and ran toward a muddy patch. Milly followed and gasped. There, in the mud, was a giant footprint! 6

Milly knelt down and studied the footprint with her magnifying glass. 'This is a giant's footprint,' she whispered. 'But where is the giant?' Pip bleated and trotted along a trail of flattened grass. Milly followed. The trail led to the village square, where more footprints appeared and then vanished. 'The giant is invisible!' Milly said. 7

Just then, a loud crack echoed through the village. The old wooden bridge over the river had collapsed! Villagers rushed to the riverbank. Elder Bram, with his white moustache and grey coat, leaned on his walking stick. 'We must rebuild the bridge,' he said, 'but it will take days.' Everyone looked worried. No one noticed the invisible giant watching nearby. 8

Gilbert saw the broken bridge and felt a tug at his heart. 'I can help,' he thought. 'Even if they can't see me.' That night, while the village slept, Gilbert crept to the river. He lifted heavy logs and stacked them neatly. He carried stones and set them in place. He worked silently, using his giant strength to rebuild the bridge. 9

In the morning, the villagers gasped. The bridge was half rebuilt! 'Who did this?' asked Elder Bram. Milly noticed huge footprints in the soft mud. She followed them with Pip. The footprints led to a big pile of logs, then to a giant pair of boots —but no giant. 'It's the invisible giant,' Milly whispered. 'He's helping us!' 10

Milly wanted to thank the giant, but she couldn't see him. She thought and thought. Then she had an idea. She ran home and fetched a big basket of ripe red berries. She also took a long ribbon and a little bell. She placed the basket near the bridge and waited quietly with Pip. 11

Soon, the berries began to disappear one by one! Milly watched as a berry floated up into the air. 'Hello, Giant,' she said softly. 'Thank you for helping us. If you want to be seen, you could drink a special tea. My grandma says a pinch of sunlight and a sip of kindness can make anything visible.' She held out a small cup of tea. 12

The cup floated upward. Then there was a soft shimmer, like sunlight through mist. Slowly, Gilbert appeared. First his big brown boots, then his moss-green tunic, then his kind hazel eyes and bushy beard. He smiled his big gentle smile. 'Thank you, little one,' he said. 'I thought nobody would ever notice me again.' 13

Milly laughed. 'We noticed your help,' she said. 'And now we can see you too!' She tied the ribbon with the little bell to his belt. 'So we can always hear you coming.' Gilbert chuckled, and the bell jingled. Elder Bram came over and shook Gilbert's huge finger. 'You are welcome here, friend,' he said warmly. 14

The villagers gathered around. They cheered and clapped. Some brought food, and others brought flowers. Gilbert felt warm and happy. He helped finish the bridge with the villagers working beside him. Pip bleated happily. That evening, they all had a feast by the river, and Gilbert sat right in the middle, finally seen and included.