Knights of the Kitchen Table

Bleob the giant is the biggest and ugliest thing the boys have ever seen, and his stink takes down knights left and right. The boys plug their noses with makeshift clothespins to stay conscious, and Sam offers the giant a challenge. If Bleob can answer a riddle, they will let him eat as many fair damsels as he wants. If he can’t, he must leave and never return. Bleob agrees, and Sam asks why the giant wears red suspenders. After fumbling for an answer, Bleob says it’s because red is the giant’s favorite color. Sam reveals the correct answer—so the giant can keep his pants from falling down. Bleob starts to leave but then turns in a rage, exclaiming, “[Y]ou trick Bleob. Giants no wear suspenders” (36).

To defuse the situation, Sam makes up a story about how Smog the dragon said giants are nothing but big weakling sissies. This enrages Bleob, and the boys herd him toward the other side of the castle, where Smog is just touching down. The giant and dragon battle, destroying one another. King Arthur offers the boys anything in his power as thanks. They ask if they can go home, wondering “if [they] would ever see Home, Sweet normal, peaceful Home again” (42).