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by Richard Johnson | 1621
Tom Thumb is born the size of his dad’s thumb thanks to a little magic from Merlin. Tiny but fearless, he charges headfirst into a world far too big for him. He gets swallowed by a pudding, eaten by a cow, and still finds a way to come out ahead.
From mouse-back rides to wild escapes, he keeps proving that size means nothing when you have brains and guts. By the end, he is not just surviving. He is a knight of the realm and a legend in his own right.
Notable Quotes:
- "I should be the happiest creature in the world if I had a son; although he was no bigger than my husband's thumb, I would be satisfied."
- "An oak-leaf hat he had for his crown; His shirt of web by spiders spun..."
- "Mother, mother! ...Here, mother... in the red cow's mouth."
- "They carried him to the king, who made Tom his dwarf, and he soon grew a great favourite at court..."
- "He fell dead on the ground where he stood, And the spider suck'd every drop of his blood."
Summary:
- A poor ploughman's wife wishes for a child, even one "no bigger than my husband's thumb," a wish granted by Merlin the magician.
- The tiny boy, named Tom Thumb by the Queen of the Fairies, is known for his cunning and mischievous tricks.
- Tom has several perilous adventures, including being swallowed by a batter pudding, a cow, and a fish, but always escapes.
- He eventually finds himself at King Arthur's court, where his cleverness and antics make him a royal favorite.
- The King rewards Tom with riches for his family, a grand new outfit, a mouse to ride, and even a miniature palace.
- The envious Queen tries to harm Tom, leading to further escapes, including hiding in a snail-shell and riding a butterfly.
- Despite his many near-fatal encounters, Tom's adventures sadly end when he is finally defeated by a poisonous spider.
- King Arthur and his court mourn the loss of their beloved little knight, erecting a monument in his honor.
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