2 The emperor

Chapter 2 The emperor As soon as the emperor of the land heard about the giant man, he came to see Gulliver. But they couldn't understand each other either.

"I need to think about this," said the emperor. Leaving his soldiers to guard Gulliver, he strode off. Everyone wanted a closer look at the giant. But some men fired more arrows at him. "Stop that!" cried the soldiers, seizing the men. "Here!" one shouted. "Let's give them to the giant to punish."

Gulliver picked up one of the troublemakers and opened his mouth. The little man wriggled and howled with terror. He was sure he was going to be eaten.

Meanwhile, the emperor was thinking hard. What should he do about Gulliver? He decided to ask his advisors. Let's kill him before it's too late. "Anything that big MUST be dangerous," said one.

But, as they were talking, two men arrived. They were full of news about the men who had fired arrows at Gulliver. The guards gave them to the giant to punish! He's a joker! He pretended to eat one and then he let them all go.

The emperor was delighted. "Let's keep him," he said. "Give him plenty of food, make him some new clothes and teach him our language." Soon, Gulliver had everything he needed. But he was still held in the temple, like a prisoner.