Inktober 2024 - 28 - Jumbo

"What's it like being a Giant, Jimbo?" asked Lulu.

The Gnome was sitting on the highest branch of the highest fir tree, his little legs dangling off his perch, his eyes gazing at the stars. Leaning against the trunk of a neighbouring evergreen, weaving a basket to keep his hands busy, James barely had to lift his chin to look up at his tiny friend.

"Much like being a Gnome, I imagine," he answered calmly.

"C'mon! Be honest. I'd like to know," insisted Lulu childishly.

That was a common temperament for his kind. It took so little energy for them to be agitated that they could afford to be. Lulu never got mean, however. That's why Jim liked him. The Giant took a deep breath, considering his next words:

"Well, everything looks small. And it takes ages for us to eat, or make clothing for ourselves, because we need so much food and fabric. Also, we move slower than most other things, which can be frustrating."

The Giant was grimacing at the thought of how annoying birds got in the Summer. They came in droves to feast on the flies that the Giants couldn't even feel, ironically giving them the same sensation the insects would if they did notice them.

"But in the end, you can still get to faraway places faster," protested Lulu to the last cited drawback.

He envied that skill in particular. It took one step for his friend to cross his village. Technically, he more went over it than crossed it.

"That's true. But like I said, that just makes the world feel small."

"You're also much stronger than most things."

Lulu couldn't imagine not fearing anything, never being worried that something could hurt you or eat you. Gnomes were really easy prey, whereas Giants had no predator whatsoever. And to top it all off, they practically never fought among themselves. On the contrary, Gnomes were quite prone to skirmishes. They were rarely serious, and they resolved quickly, but they still often lead to a few bumps and bruises. On the other hand, the least busy member of a Giant community was pretty much always the healer…

"Yes, but that's more dangerous than anything. Remember your uncle Otto? Beatrice almost killed him! And all she did was sneeze in his vicinity."

The Giantess had felt really bad about the incident. The two species cohabited peacefully, but it was not without efforts. Despite everyone mostly being careful, all it took was a few seconds of inattention.

"Oh, please! Uncle Otto is a drama queen! He always makes a mountain out of the tiniest inconvenience!"

"He was bed-ridden for three months, Lulu."

The Gnome rolled his eyes at the solemn look on his tall friend's face.

"Whatever. I'm not buying that being gigantic is as terrible as you say it is," he said after a little while.

"It's not. But it's no more all fun and games than being tiny. There also advantages to your size. Ah, what it must be like to have access to natural shelter…"