Thomas Hickathrift had been named after his father, but he was not like him at all. He was, in fact, very lazy and ate enough for half a dozen men. By the time he was ten years old, he was eight feet tall and his fame began to spread across the countryside as a marvellously strong man. From carrying hayricks to trees, the farmers and country people called upon him for everything. He would go to fairs to try his skills and oust all others in wrestling or throwing the hammer. One day, he got into a football game and kicked the ball so hard that they could never find it! On the way back from affair where he had won many bouts with opponents, he was waylaid by four rogues. He killed two of them and injured the other two very badly. He met his match in a strong tinker, and they became friends.
The Giant Slayer
Tom was hired by a brewer at Lynn to deliver some beer kegs at Wisbeach. He decided to drive his cart through a short-cut where he had to overcome a giant. The giant was twelve feet tall and ran to fetch his cudgel. Tom turned his cart over and took out the axle and the wheel that he used as a staff and a shield respectively. The giant returned to attack Tom fiercely. The two battled for a long time, but finally Tom killed the giant. He went into the cave and found it full of bags of gold and silver. He delivered the beer and, returning home, he told his master all that happened. The towns-folk of Lynn went with them, the next day, and found the treasure. It was awarded to Tom who became a rich and respected man for his courage and his honesty, and was always called Mr Hickathrift
