But when he did appear, it was in the form of a very old man.
This old man had long, white hair, and a beard which seemed to
enwrap him like a cloak--a cloak as white as snow.
So his name is The White Giant.
The boy's name was James Watt.
He lived in far-away Scotland.
He sat long, listening to the White Giant as he told him many
wonderful things.
The way in which the giant first showed himself to James was very
strange.
James noticed that the lid of the tea-kettle was acting very
strangely.
It rose and fell, fluttered and danced.
Now, James had lived all his life among people who believed in
witches and fairies.
So he was watching for them.
And he thought there was somebody in the kettle trying to get out.
So he said, "Who are you and what do you want?"
"Space, freedom, and something to do," cried the giant.
"If you will only let me out, I'll work hard for you.
I'll draw your carriages and ships.
I'll lift all your weights.
I'll turn all the wheels of your factories.
I'll be your servant always, in a thousand other ways."
[Illustration: JOHN FITCH'S STEAMBOAT, 1788.
By permission of Providence & Stonington Steamship Co.]
If you have now guessed the common name of this giant, we will call
him Steam.
At the time James Watt lived, there were no steam boats, steam
mills, nor railways.
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