The story of Finn MacCool highlights that true strength lies not just in physical prowess but also in intelligence, strategy, and the wisdom to seek help and form partnerships, ultimately leading to a more effective and lasting outcome than brute force alone.
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Finn Mcool.
In the rolling hills of Ireland lived
[music] Finn Mcool, a friendly giant
with a big heart and a bigger ego. One
day as he was having breakfast with his
wife. [music]
>> Finn, you've got a declaration of combat
from Scotland.
>> Who would be deaf enough to challenge me?
me?
>> Benadoner. He says, "Your reputation is
vastly overstated, and you're nothing
I've lifted boulders the size of our
cottage. I once wrestled three wild
boores while juggling a frog."
>> You slipped on river rocks and fell into
a boar pen. The frog fell into your satchel.
satchel.
>> The point is, I can't let this insult
stand. I'll build a bridge across the
sea and teach him some respect.
>> A bridge across the sea? That sounds
reasonable and not at all excessive.
>> They'll sing songs about it for centuries.
centuries.
And so with the confidence of a giant
who'd never met a problem he couldn't
punch out of, Finn Mcool began his
greatest achievement. We're not saying
that. He is. Finn grabbed an enormous
hexagonal bassalt column, hoisted it
overhead, and hurled it into the sea.
Almost finished. Just another 40 miles.
>> You know, there's a novel concept called
hiring help
>> and share the glory. Never. Besides,
this is personal now.
>> Have you thought about what you'll do
when you meet him?
>> Some impressive posturing. Perhaps lift
something heavy. He'll back down once he
sees my undeniable presence.
>> Okay, easy, Tiger. And what if he doesn't?
doesn't?
>> I'll cross that bridge when I literally
[music]
You've connected two lands. It's
incredible, Finn. Thank you. Please hold
your applause until after I've defeated
the Scottish menace.
>> At least see what you're up against. >> [music]
>> [music]
>> That's not possible. He's ginormous.
His thumb is the size of my thigh.
>> That's Well, he's certainly wellfed.
>> What have I done, Una? I've built him a
convenient pathway to our doorstep. I've
delivered myself to him like a meal on wheels.
wheels. >> Finn,
>> Finn,
>> I can't fight him. Look at me. I'm
normal giant sized. He's like super
deluxe premium giant sized.
>> Finn, go home right now and start shaving.
shaving.
>> Shaving? What for? [music]
[music]
>> Trust me, I have a plan.
>> You're the brains of this operation.
Always have been.
You're wearing these as our enormous baby.
baby.
>> Our what now?
>> Benadoner is too big to fight. But what
if he thinks you're even bigger? He sees
a baby the size of a grown giant and
assumes the father must be absolutely
massive and well, too terrifying to confront.
confront.
>> That's actually brilliant.
>> I know. Now get in his cradle.
>> Operation pretend baby is a go. When he
arrives, act like a baby. Be adorable in
a terrifying This baby is huge sort of way.
>> Goo gaga.
>> Perfect. Absolutely horrifying. A baby
with a stubble. Haha. Okay, good luck.
>> Then Mcool, I've come for you. Open the door.
>> Where is Finn Mcool?
>> My husband's out to the forest [music]
for supplies. He should be back anytime.
Would you like to wait inside?
>> You're inviting me in.
>> Of course. Where are my manners? You've
walked all this way. Mind your head on
Your husband built that causeway
impressively fast. [snorts]
>> That causeway took him 3 days. He said
it was a good exercise. [music]
Usually he builds those before breakfast.
breakfast.
What in the name of
>> That's our baby, little Oshene. Would
you like to meet him?
That's your baby. Goo gaga. [laughter]
[laughter]
>> Isn't he precious? He's been a bit fussy
today, teething. You know, he chewed
through three oak trees yesterday. His
father's out to get more oak trees for
him to nibble on.
>> Oak trees?
>> Would you like to hold him?
>> No. I mean, now
um uh thank you. I wouldn't want to
>> Oh dear, he's hungry. Let me get his
snack. He gets very cranky when he's hangry.
hangry. [laughter]
>> Here you go, sweet.
>> Finn picked up the griddle cake and bit
down on it. His teeth hit the iron pan
and he yelled, then remembered he's a
Oh, he doesn't like that one. Too
>> He's so particular. Only likes the soft
ones. Of course, when Finn goes home,
he'll eat the crusty ones, cast iron
pans and all.
>> Your husband eats cast iron pans?
Well, he says they add texture, help
strengthen his teeth, and supplements
iron in his body. Would you like one? I
have plenty.
>> No, no, I'm I'm not hungry.
>> Then started crossing [screaming] again,
kicking his legs. Then with his massive
foot, kicked a big chunk of the wooden
cradle and sent it flying across the floor.
floor.
>> My goodness, you're strong today, just
like your dad. >> [music]
>> [music]
>> Speaking of which, I see Finn coming
over the hill now. Oh, yes, that's
definitely him. See, the one carrying
the two mountains. Ben and Donner rushed
to the window as he looked out at the
empty landscape, then back at the baby
in the cradle. His mind clearly raced, calculated.
calculated.
>> You know what? I just remembered I left
something back in Scotland. Something
important. Very important. Extremely
important. Oh, are you sure? Finn would
be so disappointed to miss you. He's
almost here. He's been practicing his
crushing handshake. [music]
>> No, no. I really must go. Please give
him my my uh my regards. And tell him
tell him. I said he's clearly the
greatest giant in all the lands. I was
Ben and Donner burst out of the cottage
and ran toward the causeway with
surprising speed for someone so large.
Should we stop him?
>> Just watch.
>> They watched as Ben and Donner reached
to the causeway and began stomping on
the stones with all his might, breaking
them apart. My beautiful bridge,
>> our safe home.
>> Fair point. Soon only the sections
nearest to both shores remained, the
giant's causeway on the Irish side and
what became Fendle's Cave on the
Scottish side. And so Finn and Donner
fled back to Scotland, destroying the
causeway to ensure Finn, or rather
Finn's [music] terrifyingly large son,
could never follow. He never returned,
and the two giants never met again. I
suppose I should thank you for saving my
life. You suppose
>> I definitely should thank you for saving
my life. You're brilliant, clever, the
smartest person in all of Ireland. >> And
>> And
>> and I maybe shouldn't go picking fights
with people I've [music] never actually
met on an ego whim.
>> Ah, progress. Look at you learning and growing.
>> You know what the worst part is? your
clean shaven face.
[laughter] No, that you spent three
weeks building something that lasted one afternoon.
afternoon.
>> Well, yes, that. But also, everyone's
going to think I scared him off with my strength.
strength.
>> Would you prefer they knew you wore a
bonnet and cried like a baby?
>> Point taken. Although I was a very
convincing baby.
>> You were adequate.
>> I was adorable. [laughter]
[laughter]
You were ridiculous but effective.
>> Una, I was thinking that strength isn't
just about how much you can lift or how
hard you can punch. Sometimes the
strongest thing you can do is admit you
need help and be smart enough to accept it.
it.
>> Finn Mcool, was that wisdom?
>> Don't get used to it. But thank you
again for using your brain when I was
only using my brawn. We make a good
team. Your strength, my strategy.
And so, the Giants Causeway remained a
monument not to strength or pride, but
to the power of partnership and knowing
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