Seleke Cures the Hiccups

One day there was a girl named Seleke (sell-a-key). She lived in a house not at the bottom of a cliff, and not at the top, but half way up. Above lived the Snarling Wolved, and below, near the ocean, lived the Ugly Giants.

Today Seleke was out flying her biggest kite. It was shaped like a huge albatross and weighed almost as much as she did. Seleke loved flying this kite, because it could fly higher and lift more weight than any of the others. But today, that would get her in trouble.

As she flew the kite dark clouds gathered over the ocean. The wind got stronger, and suddenly 'whoosh!' the wind caught her kite. Seleke was pulled off her feet. The kite lifted her over the edge of the cliff, and Seleke glided gently to the beach below. She was in the land of Ugly Giants.

Worried a giant might see her kite she reeled it in. Then she went to the cliff, but she could not find any way up!

Boom Thoom, Boom Thoom! Seleke heard a giant coming down the beach. He was very tall, and bald, and had a hook shaped scar on his face. As he walked she heard him whistling, but the whistling was interrupted by 'hic', and then again by 'hic'.

The Ugly Giant walked right up to where Seleke was hiding, but he did not see her. He took out a fishing pole and began to fish. But then Seleke heard a loud 'hiccup!' The giant hiccuped so hard that he dropped his fishing pole. Frustrated, he picked it up again but 'hiccup!' he dropped it again.

Seleke giggled. The giant heard her, turned around, and grabbed her up in his big dirty hand. His skin smelled of fish.

"Why you laugh?" the giant said, "Maybe I eat you!"

But then the giant hiccuped again and dropped Seleke on the beach. Quick as a wink he picked her up again. "I eat you right now!" and he began to move her toward his mouth but 'hiccup!' he dropped her again.

"This pathetic!" said the giant. "Two weeks I have these hiccups. Not even able eat little girl!"

"I can help cure your hiccups," Seleke said, "if you will help me get back up to my home."

The Ugly Giant thought a moment, and said, "What I need do?"

"Close your eyes," said Seleke, "and I will cure your hiccups."

The giant closed his eyes. Seleke picked up two large shells and climbed quietly up the giant's arm. She climbed onto his shoulder, and stood right beside his ear. Then she took the two shells and 'bam!' smashed them right beside his ear.

"Oh!" exclaimed the giant, "You startled me!"

"Do you still have your hiccups?" asked Seleke.

The giant paused. He looked about. He waited. No hiccups!

Then he picked up Seleke. He picked up her kite. The giant said, "Girl hold kite!"

With a great big heave the giant tossed Seleke high up in the air! Far, far up she went, holding onto her kite. The kite was so big, she glided safely down to her own ledge, safe and sound.

"Thank you!" Seleke waved to the giant.

"No thank me." said the giant, "Next time I no have hiccups. Maybe eat you."

Seleke thought about his words, as she walked safely home.

The End
(c) 2008 Ken Demarest