"It can't be."
"It really looks like it though."
"Yes, but, forgive me professor, it can't be a footprint."
"Why not?"
"Because it's giant!"
"So?"
"So?!"
"Yes, put your assumptions aside."
"My assumptions?"
"Yes. Let me teach you for a moment."
"So you want me to assume that despite the fact that there has been no evidence before, that there are--"
"--or were"
"--or were giants?"
"Yes."
"..."
"As your professor, I feel as though I should tell you that making that face isn't strictly professional."
"Okay, I'll go with it."
"And?"
"And?!"
"You said you'd go with it. So, go with it."
"Well I SUPPOSE that IF there were giants, perhaps some of the large storage containers we've found were, in fact, not storage containers."
"Fascinating."
"I can't tell if you're mocking me."
"I am not. Please continue."
"Okay, so the storage containers would actually be serving containers."
"Could be. What else could they be?"
"Is this really an educational exercise?"
"I say it is."
"Okay, well they could be a few things. There is always the possibility of it being a ritual--"
"--a classic archaeological go-to."
"Well it's a classic for a reason. Perhaps they made tiny offerings to tiny beings. Or, perhaps, they kept smaller animals as pets and used these containers to feed them. Today, plenty of people have dishes and storage containers specifically for pet supplies."
"Yes, keep going."
"Another possibility is simply play. Today, for example, kids have tea parties—sometimes with actual food. Perhaps everything we have found is simply part of play."
"You think that all of the elaborate and well-crafted structures in this area are simply giant ancient dollhouses?"
"Okay, now you're being unfair."
"How so?"
"You literally forced me into this thought exercise."
"And now I'm forcing you to defend it."
"Fine."
"So?"
"So, yes, these could all be dollhouses or, as I said before, part of a ritual."
"Or?"
"Or, yes, both. Play can be ritualistic for sure. Perhaps playing with imaginary smaller beings was a way of interacting with another realm. Perhaps it was thought that members of the society had otherworldly beings they must care for."
"And why might we have not found evidence of these larger beings?"
"To be clear, professor, I don't think we have found evidence of giants."
"Again, I'm asking you to expand your thoughts."
"Very well. I think that perhaps their structures were so big that we have not considered them. We expect to find things on scales we are used to, with some range to be sure, but we don't expect to find a dwelling that would fit a family of giants. So, perhaps, the remains are simply too large."
"Another great theory. What else?"
"Of course, there is always the chance that they used materials that have simply rotted away, leaving little evidence behind."
"Now, examine the footprint."
"It's not a footprint."
"Why do you keep fighting my thought exercise?"
"Because I suspect it's not a thought exercise."
"Now, is it rare to find footprints?"
"Relatively, yes. But most finds are relatively rare."
"So, if there was a giant civilization, why might we not have found more footprints?"
"Again, they're rare. Also, again, they may be on a scale we're not used to."
"And what if these giants still existed?"
"What?"
"Humor me."
"Well, if they still existed, then perhaps they cover their tracks somehow. Plenty of humans know how to cover their tracks, so why would giant humanoids not be able to do so?"
"Exactly."
"Exactly, what?"
"Well, I have something to tell you."
"You've been pulling my leg, but I'm going to get extra credit?"
"Well, no, but you don't need extra credit."
"Then what?"
"I have someone for you to meet."
"Who?"
"Him."
"Wha—what?"
"Yes, quite surprising I know. I am very careful which of my studnets I introduce to this site. But you proved yourself."
"Thanks?"
"Meet, the giants."
(Prompt by Kimisha Cassidy)
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