The last time I visited the beautiful St Michael’s Mount, just off the coast of Cornwall, there was a steady stream of tourists crossing the tidal causeway ahead of me. I have walked this cobbled path many times in rain and shine. It’s a place that is different in every season and in every light. On this day it was the colour of the seaweed that stuck me. Such an eye-popping green and lashings of it everywhere!
When my feet touched the rocky island shore I quickly began to wind my way up the old Pilgrims Path. Weaving in and out of the flock of visitors puffing up to the castle. I had a different destination, the Giant’s Heart.
This stone heart suffers the undignified fate of being trampled under the soles of innumerable walking boots on a daily basis. It is the ultimate down-trodden heart. And legend has it it belonged to Cormoran the Giant.
Cormoran built the huge stone castle that sits atop St Michael’s Mount. But unfortunately he made nuisance of himself by waded ashore to the mainland every night and snatching livestock from local farms for his supper.
Jack the Giant Killer
Local villagers got really fed up and offered a reward in return for someone slaying the giant. A local boy called Jack took up the challenge. He crept over to the island and dug a large giant-catching pit. Hardly a mastermind of a plan. But it was surprisingly effective. When Cormoran awoke from his sleep he saw Jack on his island and charged at him. Blinded by sunlight the giant didn’t see the pit that Jack had dug. He promptly fell into it and disappeared.
Jack became a local hero and from then on was known as Jack the Giant Killer.
All that was left of Cormoran was his stone heart . . .
and legend has it that if you stand still and listen hard you’re still able to hear the pounding beat of the giant’s unhappy heart.
Stone Hearts
I have a little stone heart that my other half gave me. It is always in the glove box of my car. It is fascinating how we humans find patterns in the world about us. We see
faces everywhere and animals in the clouds. We search out meaning. Find the stories. Hold on to seemingly worthless things as if they are some powerful symbol or charm.
The stone heart is another kind of the talisman. So next time you climb the Mount at Penzance take a moment to stop and listen for the beating of a giant’s heart.
Further reading
Carn Kenidjack – the Hooting Cairn
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I will certainly look out for it on my next visit! Thanks for another great post! Was Cormoran the giant who as legend has it threw rocks at the giant on the “mainland” which is why Trencrom Hill is littered with rocks…?
Thank you Anne, I’m not sure, I’d have to look it up but it certainly sounds like the kind of thing Cormoran would do! 😉
I always remember, as a child, the guides would make people put their hand on their chest and a foot on the stone and you would feel the giants heart beating. Cue squeals of delight all round when we could feel it!!
Currently writing a children’s picture book loosely based on Cormoran!