The Giant Cloud-Swallower

In a remote region of the Southwest, towering stone formations evoke a sense of awe and mystery, resembling giants standing guard over the land. These formations, often shrouded in mist or illuminated by moonlight, inspire local legends among the Zuni people, who attribute their existence to ancient tales of creation. One such tale centers on a giant named Häki Suto, known as the Cloud-swallower, who terrorizes the people by consuming men and drinking the very essence of life, causing drought and famine. The desperate inhabitants seek to rid themselves of this menace, but many heroes fail in their attempts to defeat him. The Twin Gods of War, Áhaiyúta and Mátsailéma, decide to confront Häki Suto. They encounter their grandmother, the Spider, who offers to help them by weaving a web to blind the giant. As Häki Suto feigns sleep, the gods approach, and with the Spider's assistance, they strike him down. After his defeat, Häki Suto's body is cast over a cliff, where it transforms into stone, becoming part of the landscape. The tale concludes with the remaining people fleeing to safer lands, leaving behind the memories of their ancestors who perished in the drought caused by the giant. The story serves as a reflection on the struggle between humanity and the forces of nature, encapsulating themes of survival, sacrifice, and the enduring power of myth.

By Frank Hamilton Cushing · First published 1883 · Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Adventure · 1,827 words

First lines

Deep down in canyons of the Southwest, especially where they are joined by other canyons, the traveller may see standing forth from or hugging the angles of the cliffs, great towering needles of stone -- weird, rugged, fantastic, oftentimes single, as often -- like gigantic wind-stripped trees with lesser trees standing beside them -- double or treble. Seen suddenly at a turn in the canyon these giant stones startle the gazer with their monstrous and human proportions, like giants, indeed, at bay against the sheer rock walls, protecting their young, who appear anon to crouch at the knees of their fathers or cling to their sides.

What this Textopian page supports

The Giant Cloud-Swallower is listed on Textopian as a short story by Frank Hamilton Cushing, dated 1883 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Short story
• Author: Frank Hamilton Cushing
• Date: 1883 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Adventure, Folklore, Literary Fiction
• Length: 1,827 words
• Structure: 1 section, 25 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Giant Cloud-Swallower by Frank Hamilton Cushing
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters

• What should a reader notice first when entering The Giant Cloud-Swallower?
• How does this short story by Frank Hamilton Cushing fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

• Irish Fairy Tales by Oscar Wilde
• The Lion And The Unicorn by Richard Harding Davis
• The Valley Of Voices by L. Frank Baum
• The Riches Of Content by L. Frank Baum
• The Awakening Of The Saw Horse by L. Frank Baum
• The Bird Man by Oliver Herford

Genres

• Fantasy — The narrative features mythical elements, including giants and gods, and explores themes of creation and transformation.
• Mythology — The story is rooted in Zuni mythology, recounting legends and cultural beliefs about the natural world and its origins.
• Adventure — The plot involves a quest to confront and defeat a giant, incorporating elements of heroism and conflict.
• Folklore — The tale reflects traditional storytelling methods and cultural narratives passed down through generations.

Tags

Fiction · Fantasy · Adventure · Mythology · Legends · Children's Literature · Classic Novel · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Cultural Folklore · Symbolism · Imagination

More by Frank Hamilton Cushing

• The Trial of Lovers (1887)
• The Youth and his Eagle (1889)
• The Poor Turkey Girl (1881)
• How the Summer Birds Came (1883)
• The Serpent of the Sea (1883)
• The Maiden of the Yellow Rocks (1883)
• The Foster-Child of the Deer (1883)
• The Boy Hunter who Never Sacrificed to the Deer he had Slain (1883)
• All works by Frank Hamilton Cushing