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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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