The Legend of The Trids
Once upon a time on an island far out in the ocean, a largely forgotten race of little people lived. These people were called Trids, and although their legend lives on, no trace of them now exists.
The Trids lived in the crater of an old volcano with very high walls, and were kept captive there by an evil tyrant of a Giant. The Giant forced the Trids to remain forever in the crater, barely able to feed themselves, but forcing them to grow food for him… he was, after all a lazy Giant.
Try as they might, the Trids were unable to escape the cruel treatment of the Giant. ALthough they could, by working together, manage to climb out of the crater… each and every time the Giant would chase them down and kick them back into the crater.
Year after cruel year, decade after decade, and generation after generation the Trids tried to escape to no avail. The Giant would always chase them down and kick them back into the crater.
Finally, someone got the bright idea to consult the village holy man… a rabbi as it happens.
"Oh holy man" they pleaded with the Rabbi
"Surely the Giant would not dare to kick a holy man back into the crater!"
"Please… lead us out of the crater and end our people’s slavery to the Giant."
Having seen the Giant in action over the years, of course the Rabbi was loathe to lead the Trids. However, since he was after all a holy man, there was little he could come up with on short notice to dissuade the Trids and still retain their respect. He agreed to lead them up out of the crater to freedom.
For weeks the Trids scurried around making their preparations. Food was gathered, long ropes made, and strong boots for the long climb made for each of them.
Finally the day came when the Rabbi was to lead them out of the crater. One by one, in the dark of the night, the Trids filed quietly out of the village towards the crater walls. The best climbers began to scale the high steep walls, ropes in hand.
For long hours the Trids climbed. Finally, just as the sun was beginning to peek over the horizon, the first Trid reached the top of the crater wall. Then one after another the Trids climbed up to the edge and peered over the edge… anxiously looking for the Giant.
For hours they waited and looked… the Giant was nowhere to be seen! One after another the Trids climbed cautiously over the edge until they were all standing outside the crater. Then, as if on command, they all began cheering and laughing, and running around. All were cheering the Rabbi as a great leader, and thanking him for the great deed he had done for them.
As if a cloud had covered the sun… a darkness covered the Trids… the ground shook… and a loud roaring and rumble was heard! It was the evil Giant rushing towards them like a huge hurricane… knocking over trees… and crushing boulders in his path!
One by one the Giant caught each of the Trids… one by one he kicked them back into the crater. Finally only the Rabbi was left shivering and afraid of the Giant. Without warning the Giant turned and slowly began to walk away.
Looking around, the Rabbi could hardly believe his eyes. Here he stood, alive and untouched, outside the crater… and in full view of the Giant. Yet the Giant seemed to ignore him.
Becoming brave now, certain that the Giant was afraid to kick a holy man, the Rabbi spoke up
"See here Giant!" the Rabbi shouted "If you fear me, then you should let the other Trids join me outside the crater… and free us!"
Stopping suddenly, the Giant turned and slowly shook his head.
"Do you not fear my wrath oh Giant?"
Again the Giant shook his head.
"Then why… why didn’t you kick me back into the crater with the rest?"
In a booming laugh, the Giant replied
