The Snow Giant

In a land blanketed by a thick layer of snow, a giant stumbled upon a dying human male, shivering and struggling to stay conscious. The giant, wrapped in a heavy hooded cloak, leaned down, revealing only a glimpse of a pale face as he gently lifted the man with one hand.

“Hold on, I’ll get you out of here,” he said in a low, rumbling voice, his breath visible in the frigid air. Without hesitation, he turned and strode toward the entrance of a nearby cave, the snow crunching under his massive feet.

As they stepped inside, the warmth enveloped them, contrasting sharply with the bitter cold outside. Inside the cave, the giant's parents—both wearing short-sleeved shirts, despite the chill—greeted them. They looked like larger versions of humans, their features soft and kind.

“It’s freezing today,” the giant remarked, his voice a mix of concern and familiarity. “I had to bundle up just to make it here. If it were only -20 degrees, I could have gone out in my t-shirt.”

Deeper into the cave, he guided the trembling human past a series of small, one-person tables arranged in a semi-circle, surrounded by beds covered with colorful blankets. It was evident that they often took in humans, yet the place felt surprisingly empty. The giant’s mother gestured for the man to sit at one of the tables, where she began preparing a warm meal, the fragrant steam rising and filling the cave with a comforting aroma.

As the human began to thaw from the inside out, the giant led him into a sleeping area where soft blankets lay strewn across the floor. The space was surprisingly clean and organized, evoking a sense of calm and peace, reminiscent of a temple stay.

Lulled by the warmth and the soothing atmosphere, the human found himself drawn into conversation with the giant and his family. They shared stories, laughter echoing within the cave walls, and the giant recounted tales of his own romantic endeavors. As the warmth enveloped him like a thick blanket, the human drifted off to sleep, comforted by the strange yet welcoming company of his unlikely saviors.