A Dozen At A Blow

A clever little tailor kills twelve flies at once and boasts of his feat by stitching a sash that reads 'A Dozen at One Blow.' Eager to conquer the world, he leaves home carrying only cream cheese and a pet blackbird. He soon meets a giant who challenges him to feats of strength. The tailor tricks the giant by using his cheese and bird to mimic impossible physical powers. Impressed, the giant invites him along, but later tries to crush him in his sleep. The tailor outsmarts this plot by hiding under his blanket with a blood-filled bladder instead of himself. He then travels to the King's court, where his sash leads the monarch to believe he is a mighty warrior. The King tasks him with defeating a wild boar, which the tailor safely traps in a chapel without lifting a finger. Next, he captures a unicorn by luring it to dash its horn into a sturdy tree trunk. Finally, he provokes two warring giants into fighting each other until only one remains. He defeats the last giant and returns to claim his prize: half the kingdom and the King's daughter. The Princess is initially dismayed to learn her husband is merely a tailor. However, when the King plots to kill him, the tailor bluffing loudly in his sleep scares off the assassins. Seeing his true worth, she accepts him as her hero.