their windows, they cried: ‘Who will stop this giant? None of our cows or sheep will be safe now that Cormoran can take them to his stronghold! We’ll starve!’

Jack, a local boy, was fed up with the bad-tempered giant stealing his livestock. He decided to act. One night, he crept out and set a trap to teach the giant a lesson.

Jack dug a ginormous pit near the causeway and covered it up with straw and branches to hide it.

When it was ready, Jack walked up to the front of St Michael’s Mount and blew his horn.

Outraged at being woken up from another of his naps, Cormoran stormed out of his stronghold.

‘What do you think you are doing, creating such a racket?’ bellowed the giant.

‘I bet you can’t catch me!’ called brave Jack.

‘I shall chase you and catch you, then you will be sorry you ever woke me up!’

‘Come and get me, then!’ said Jack, running back down the causeway.

Jack was quick, but Cormoran had longer legs and was soon on his heels. With every step of the giant’s huge foot, the earth shook and the trees shuddered.

At the last second, Jack turned off the causeway and when the big clumsy giant couldn’t stop in time, he fell down the pit.

‘Argh!’ cried Cormoran.

Jack walked to edge of the pit and peered down.

‘I hope this will teach you a lesson!’ he said. ‘Giants shouldn’t steal our livestock!’

Jack went on to live a life of adventure in which he dealt with cruel giants. Perhaps you’ve heard of Jack and the beanstalk? As for Cormoran and Cormelian, they never bothered their neighbours again.