Deep in the bamboo forest there lived a Honhon. Grown ups said it was a beast from the before times. That it was old as the mountain. A few even claimed to have seen it, though their stories were full of holes.

Some said it had long claws and fangs, that the ground shook when it moved. Some said it lived in trees, or in a deep cave, or under a frozen lake.

“It’s breath can move every leaf in the forest!”

“When it snores this whole valley echoes with thunder!”

Everyone knew the legend of the Honhon, and everyone was afraid.

But there was one boy who loved Honhon stories very much. Each tale filled him with wonder and so many questions. And as time passed his questions grew larger than his fear.

The boy’s name was Silas Starsail, and one day he decided to explore the bamboo forest and find out once and for all if the stories of the Honhon were true.

He gathered his tools and set out at dawn. He crossed the low plains and climbed the high hills.

Each night as he camped under the stars, he listened to the wind for a hint or whisper of the Honhon.

By day as he chose his course, he listened to the earth and searched the ground for signs. But the Honhon was hiding.

On his third night of adventure, Silas Starsail reached the bamboo forest. It was a dark night with no moon. The wind was cold.

As he stood there listening, all the leaves in the forest moved at once. Out, then in. Out, then in.

And then Silas was afraid.

Maybe I should not have come to the bamboo forest, he thought. Maybe I should have stayed in my warm bed.

The snores of the Honhon were so powerful, Silas could feel them in his chest. But there was something else too. A sad, lonely sound.

Could someone need my help? Silas took a deep breath and stepped into the forest.

It was even darker inside and smelled like green things and animals. Silas took out his flashlight and started to explore.

Silas went slow. He loved animals. He loved helping creatures in need. But the legends of the Honhon were scary indeed. Was it really a great big monster with huge claws and sharp teeth? Was it really old as mountains?

As Silas drew closer, the snores grew louder and stronger. He could feel himself being pushed and pulled with each hot breath.

Then suddenly, the snores stopped. And Silas found himself face to face with the Honhon.

All he could see was a huge furry face and a great big sleepy eye.

The HonHon was not entirely what he expected. It was huge, which he did expect. It had sharp teeth and long claws. But it didn’t seem mean, just very sad and sleepy.

“Who’s there?” Asked the HonHon. Its voice was warm and rumbly.

“I’m Silas. Silas Starsail. And you’re the Honhon.”

The great big eye blinked once. Something huge moved in the dark.

“The people in the valley are afraid of you.”

“I don’t want them to be afraid,” said the Honhon. “I don’t want them to see me. That’s why I stay here in the forest.”

“Why do you hide when you’re so big?”

“A long time ago I was just a small Honhon. But I fell under a curse. And now whenever I sleep I get bigger and bigger and uglier and uglier.”

“I don’t think you’re ugly.”

“I tried not to sleep for a long time. But I had to sometimes. If I didn’t sleep I got cranky.”

“The same thing happens to me. About being cranky. Can I help you break the curse?”

“It’s a mean curse. Every Honhon has it.”

Silas sat down and took out his tools.

He had his trusty screwdriver, his tape measure and his pocket knife Sting. “Maybe these will help.”

Honhon picked up the pocket knife in a huge paw. It looked like a tiny toy in his huge curved claws.

Silas took off his cloak of midnight. And out of his pocket he removed his magic stone.

Honhon examined the tools. “I don’t think these can help me break the curse.”

“You still haven’t told me what it is,” said Silas.

“Well, every Honhon has it. We just need a friend. If we don’t have a one, the curse gets us. And the more the curse takes hold, the more humungous we become. People run away when they see us.”

“I’ll be your friend!”

“You can’t just say it, you have to mean it.”

“Come with me!” said Silas.

Carefully he wrapped his arm around one of Honhon’s huge claws and led him down the path. Honhon had to duck and squeeze under branches. The ground shook as they passed.

Soon they emerged into a patch of bright sunlight. It was daytime again.

Honhon sat down and stared up at the sky. “I’ve been hiding in the forest for so long, I didn’t think I’d ever see the sky again!” And as he said it he got just a little bit smaller.

Then Silas took Honhon to the river. He pulled his fishing tackle out of his pack. He used sticks to make rods and strung lines for them. They fished together for a while. Honhon splashed his great big feet in the river and sent waves all the way across to the other side.

“I didn’t think I’d ever feel the river again. It’s so cold on my toes!” he said happily. And as he said it he got just a little bit smaller.

The boy and the Honhon traveled down the mountain toward the village. A rain came and made Honhon’s thick fur drip down over his eyes. As they passed a traveling family, two little girls cried out and pointed. The mother and father gathered them up and were about to run away.

But Silas stopped them and spoke to them. Once he had calmed their fears, he led them to Honhon who was sitting quietly by the roadside.

Silas directed the man and woman to touch Honhon’s soft fur and look into his big bright eyes. Then the children did the same.

“See,” said Silas. “He’s not a scary Honhon at all. He’s big and strong. But he’s also soft and cuddly too.”

The man and the woman nodded. Their daughters giggled as they went away. Honhon watched them go, a sparkly tear in his big sleepy eye. As he wiped it away, he got just a little bit smaller.

By the time Silas and Honhon reached the village, they were the same size.

“You have to come meet my NiNi,” Silas said. “That’s my daddy’s mommy. She lives here, last house before the sea.”

“I would like to,” Honhon said, “but I don’t want to scare her away.”

Silas laughed, a high clear sound. He stopped by a rain puddle and pointed at it. “Have a look.”

Honhon came over and looked at his reflection in the water. “I’m small again!” He cried. “I’m not scary at all!”

Silas nodded. “Now come on. I can’t wait for everyone to meet my new friend.”

And that is how Silas found his Honhon.

The End.