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Gianna and the Ogre
by R.P. Infantino

    Once upon a time there lived a farmer on a humble plot of land in a small and friendly village. Nearby, in the center of a dark forest where no one dared go, lived an evil old hag who stole the farmer's wife. He was left with one daughter who was the most beautiful in all the land. She had exquisitely long brown hair, eyes that sparkled like stars in the night, and a smile to melt the coldest of hearts. Her name was Gianna.

    One day, while Gianna stopped at the well to water her favorite riding horse—a silk black beauty whose mane she brushed with gentle strokes—she heard a terrifying growl. At that moment, a horrible ogre hobbled into town howling like a wild beast. He was large and hideous with unkempt hair and beard, and wore tattered clothes over his hunched body. The townspeople ran for cover, screaming, although the ogre wanted only food and water. That none came to his aid angered him more.

    As he approached Gianna, the ogre roared fiercely. Her horse darted away in fright, but Gianna was not alarmed, for her heart felt love for all living things. Looking deep into the ogre's eyes, she realized that even though this creature may look different, he is truly similar to all; two eyes and ears, a nose and mouth, and a heart that feels pain and hope and sorrow and love. He is just like you and I, she thought, and therefore has feelings like you and I.

    "May I ask what you need?" said Gianna. The ogre stopped roaring and stared in surprise at the young girl. No one had ever spoken to him before and no one, most certainly, had ever asked what he needed. He was quite shocked. "If you don't tell me what you need, I can't help you. As my beloved mother always said, 'A closed mouth gets no food.' So stop your roaring and tell me what you need." The ogre continued to stare in amazement, his eyes blinking repeatedly. "Oh, well. If you don't tell me your needs, I guess you have none. Good-bye." As she turned to walk away, the ogre grunted in excitement so as not to lose the young girl. She stopped and turned toward him. "Oh, so you understand me. If you cannot speak, can you show me in signs what you need?" The ogre rubbed his belly and made grunting noises. "Do you have a bellyache?" The ogre shook his head. He pointed to his mouth and made grunting noises. "Do you have a toothache?" The ogre shook his head. This time he pretended to hold a spoon feeding himself. "Are you hungry?" The ogre howled in a high-pitched voice and jumped repeatedly to let Gianna know she was correct. "Well, why didn't you say so?" said Gianna with a playful smile. She reached in her bag, removed an apple, and offered it to the ogre who devoured it in one gulp— stem, seeds, core, and all. He held out his hands and grunted as if to say 'More.' "I'm sorry, but that's all I have. If you return tomorrow at this time. I'll bring more." The ogre nodded his head with glee and skipped back to the forest like a schoolboy.

    The following day, Gianna returned to the well with her bag filled with food. The ogre leaped from the forest with a mighty roar. As he approached Gianna, she pressed her lips together, planted her hands on her hips, and tapped her foot.

    "Don't you ever come here snarling like an angry baboon. As my beloved mother always said, 'Be kind to all for everyone has troubles in some way.' I'm doing you a kindness, the least you can do is show some in return." She stared at him still tapping her foot. ’’Do you understand?” The ogre nodded his head, his face showing sorrow and remorse. ’’Good. Today I brought you grilled chicken, garden fresh vegetables, and my homemade apple pie.” The ogre’s eyes widened as he licked his lips in anticipation. Gianna removed the food from her bag and handed it to him which he stuffed in his mouth. Gianna shook her head in disappointment. ”Eh!” she said pointing her finger straight up, stopping him in mid-bite. ”Do not gobble your food-like a wild jackal. Take civilized bites.” The ogre proceeded to chew tiny nibbles of food. Gianna removed a jug of water and handed it to him which he guzzled down his throat. ”Eh!” she said again with her finger raised. He understood and drank tiny sips of water. When finished, the ogre felt satisfied and very grateful.

    Day after day, Gianna and the ogre met at the well. Because of her patient heart, the ogre not only filled his belly, he also learned the ways of correct behavior. She taught him how to hold a tea cup without crushing it; how to use a spoon without spilling food into his shaggy beard; and how to chew properly so as not to belch like an erupting volcano. The ogre was becoming more human with the help of Gianna’s compassion.

    On the seventh day, in addition to food, Gianna brought two extra items. She held forth a comb in one hand and scissors in the other which she opened and closed making snipping sounds. The ogre’s eyes widened in fright.

    ’’Let’s see how you look under all that hair.”

    She began to trim his long, scraggly hair and beard with difficulty for his long locks were thickly tangled, and his beard held day-old food. She continued to snip and cut and trim until the ogre was clean-shaven.

    ’’Hmmm, do my eyes deceive me or are you as fair as a summer morn?" Gianna felt an impulse to kiss the ogre on the head, which she did. At that moment, a brilliant light as from a hundred suns blinded her. A gust of wind blew round her like a twister. When calm settled, she opened her eyes. The ogre was gone and in his place stood the most handsome man she had ever seen. He was tall and lean with deep blue eyes, prominent chin, and thick blond hair. He wore a regal uniform. Gianna joggled her head in disbelief. The handsome man spoke:

    ”My name is Prince Eric, heir to the throne of King Rutherford in the village of Mansfield.”

    Gianna bowed her head and curtsied. ’’Your Royal Highness. My name is Gianna Taranto, your humble servant.” The prince continued:

    ”l was abducted by the evil old hag of the dark forest. Using her black magic, she turned me into an ogre stating, ’If you find a kind heart to care for you in this horrid state, only then will you return to your former self.’ Knowing that most shun the unfortunate, the evil old hag was certain I would never return to the person who stands before you. You, young Gianna, are unlike all others. You see beyond one’s appearance and know what is deep within the heart.” So stunned was Gianna, she was speechless. She again lowered her head and curtsied. ’’And now, fair Gianna, may I ask what you need? Answer me that and I shall grant it.” Gianna need not think hard, for all she ever wanted with all her heart was to reunite with her long-lost mother.

    "My beloved mother was abducted by the same evil old hag. If you please, sir, can you find it in your heart to return her to me?”

    "With the help of my father and his royal army, I will attempt my best. May I borrow a horse to request the king that he send troops into the dark forest?”

    ”Yes, you may have my favorite riding horse.”

    Prince Eric rode away to the king’s castle while Gianna ran to her father. She told him the exciting story of the ogre who transformed into a handsome prince and how he is, at this moment, searching for her mother in the evil old hag's lair in the dark forest. The father shook his head in disbelief.

    "Lie down. Gee," he said. "The heat of the sun is causing you to have delusions."

    "No, father. You must believe me. The prince will return with mother. You will see."

    Many days had passed with no word from the prince. Gianna's heart ached. Her father could do nothing to ease her pain.

    "Maybe it was a dream," said Gianna as warm tears fell from her eyes.

    Then one day, Gianna heard the sounds of galloping hooves and the neighing of her beloved mare. She ran to the window and there sat Prince Eric atop her black horse. Gianna was overjoyed. She ran outside to greet the prince as her horse stomped its hooves and bobbed its head. The prince dismounted and spoke to Gianna.

    "My troops and I stormed the lair of the evil old hag freeing all those held captive."

    "And what of my mother?" asked Gianna with deep concern.

    "I am sorry to say, she was not there." Gianna lowered her head in her hands. "Do not be sad, for the evil old hag informed me of your mother's whereabouts in exchange for a mild punishment." The horse snorted with excitement. Gianna raised her head.

    "You know where mother is?"

    "Yes. She has been with you all along."

    Gianna looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

    The horse whinnied and stamped its hooves. The prince looked at the horse as it bobbed its head. Gianna looked at the horse, then back to the prince.

    "You mean—"

    "You know what to do, fair Gianna."

    Gianna approached the silk black horse and, reaching high on tiptoes, kissed its head. At that moment, a brilliant light as from a hundred suns blinded her. A gust of wind blew round her like a twister. When calm settled, she opened her eyes, the horse was gone and in its place stood Gianna's beloved mother. Gianna threw her arms around her, pouring out the love she held for her dear mother all these years.

    "Oh, good prince, how can I ever repay you?"

    The prince lowered himself on one knee and, taking Gianna's hand, said: "By agreeing to be my wife." Gianna's mouth and eyes opened wide as her mother beamed. So stunned was Gianna, she was speechless. Her mother turned to her and said, "Well?!"

    "Oh," said a shocked Gianna. "Of course."

    While still on one knee, the prince whispered, "You must say, 'Yes.' "

    "Oh, right. Sorry. Yes! Yes! Yes!"

    And so. Princess Gianna and Prince Eric were married and lived happily ever after in King Rutherford's castle in the village of Mansfield. The prince bestowed a large farm to Gianna's parents who lived joyfully.

    The evil old hag was banished to an island in the middle of the ocean where she could no longer use her black magic for evil deeds.

    And in honor of Gianna's loving heart, the king established "Princess Gianna's Day" proclaiming:
    "Be kind to all for everyone has troubles in some way."

Copyright © 2024 by R.P. Infantino