The Old Woman and the Giant

The wise old woman archetype often portrays wisdom and cleverness in folktales.  In the “Old Woman and the Giant,” a Philippines folktale,[1] an old woman finds herself lost near a giant’s cave.  A giant threatens to eat her unless she can make a louder noise than he can.  This giant may have been the Manangilaw who was thought to have lived in Bicol.  With a vicious looking face, deep voice, body  covered in black hair and big feet; he makes a frightening image. The old woman replies that she is too skinny and bony to eat (children often say this in stories too).  She says that if he lets her go, she will return with her daughter.  Together they may be able to make more noise.  Later, the old woman and her daughter make their way back to the cave, drum and a gong in hand. Their noise causes the giant to flee.  He runs into his cave and immediately falls into a hole. The wise old woman prevails yet again! 

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[1] Jane, Yolen, Gray Heroes: Elder Tales from Around the World.  New York: Penguin Books, 1999.