Thumbling’s father is a tailor and his son uses a tailor’s instrument, to, instead of sew together the pieces of the world, break it apart, revealing the things the wearers would prefer hidden.  Thumbling (Tom Thumb in English folklore a popular figure) is a hero we can all relate to because of his diminutive size, which leads us to embrace him if we don’t mock him (and it’s hard to mock him because of his pluckiness).  This is like the Christian archetype, where the low man is the hero rather than the high.

This story also emphasizes the parent’s, or at least the father’s, perspective, in that Thumbling requests to go out, is small in size, and returns home rather than founding his own at the end of the story. 

I think it is more about the irony of his smallness, his courageous character and the unmasking of hypocrisy in the world.  This, I think, is the gift of Thumbling (symbolized by his sole gold coin) to the world and the pride of his family.) 

Please like, comment and subscribe!

For the full episode:

https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-9ys7q-189b2a1

For more in this podcast, please go to:

Podbean:

https://benomtad.podbean.com

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-benomtad/id1748320863

YouTube:

https://m.youtube.com/@scissorsandpaper/videos

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4kJPGlaJjGVyLa9AKhci6t?si=8XXrX9FUT3CU71reCfA5kQ

X:

https://x.com/Benomtad

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/benomtad

I plan to conduct more interviews with various guests, so please check back later for those.

Unlike Hans Hedghog, another tiny deformity (sort of), Thumbling does not transform in this story.  There is a very different attitude from his parents as well.  This story is more like a variety of adventures that lead to maturity and showcase Thumbling’s wit.  

(from Grimm’s “Thumbling’s Travels” Discussion)

Please like, comment and subscribe!

For the full episode:

https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-9ys7q-189b2a1

For more in this podcast, please go to:

Podbean:

https://benomtad.podbean.com

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-benomtad/id1748320863

YouTube:

https://m.youtube.com/@scissorsandpaper/videos

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4kJPGlaJjGVyLa9AKhci6t?si=8XXrX9FUT3CU71reCfA5kQ

X:

https://x.com/Benomtad

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/benomtad

I plan to conduct more interviews with various guests, so please check back later for those.

Thumbling is also like the peripatetic Prodigal Son in his jumping around trades.  LL points out the world’s response to Thumbling is somewhat different from what you’d expect: a gang of robbers helps him and tries to enthrone him as their leader; he is kicked out and almost killed and eaten at an inn; a master doesn’t nourish him but his mistress also chases Thumbling out.  And through it all, his spirit remains undaunted.

(from Grimm’s “Thumbling’s Travels” Discussion)

Please like, comment and subscribe!

For the full episode:

https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-9ys7q-189b2a1

For more in this podcast, please go to:

Podbean:

https://benomtad.podbean.com

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-benomtad/id1748320863

YouTube:

https://m.youtube.com/@scissorsandpaper/videos

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4kJPGlaJjGVyLa9AKhci6t?si=8XXrX9FUT3CU71reCfA5kQ

X:

https://x.com/Benomtad

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/benomtad

I plan to conduct more interviews with various guests, so please check back later for those.

Thumbling comes home with the only coin he could carry, but he is alive.  He also stole from the king’s treasury.  However, when he returns, he is welcomed and the father willingly gives all his chickens to the fox for his son’s life.  The returning son receives all of the blessings and no opprobrium.

Please like, comment and subscribe!

For the full episode:

https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-9ys7q-189b2a1

For more in this podcast, please go to:

Podbean:

https://benomtad.podbean.com

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-benomtad/id1748320863

YouTube:

https://m.youtube.com/@scissorsandpaper/videos

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4kJPGlaJjGVyLa9AKhci6t?si=8XXrX9FUT3CU71reCfA5kQ

X:

https://x.com/Benomtad

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/benomtad

I plan to conduct more interviews with various guests, so please check back later for those.

We backtrack: Before becoming black pudding at the innkeeper’s he is taken in by robbers, who get him to steal from the king’s treasury.  He tosses out coins while evading the guards, taunting them like he did the master’s wife.  

After his escape from the pudding, he is almost eaten by a fox but saves himself by promising the animal his father’s chickens.  The fox takes him home, he gives his father his Thaler, and the fox is given all the chickens the father has.

Please like, comment and subscribe!

For the full episode:

https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-9ys7q-189b2a1

For more in this podcast, please go to:

Podbean:

https://benomtad.podbean.com

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-benomtad/id1748320863

YouTube:

https://m.youtube.com/@scissorsandpaper/videos

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4kJPGlaJjGVyLa9AKhci6t?si=8XXrX9FUT3CU71reCfA5kQ

X:

https://x.com/Benomtad

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/benomtad

I plan to conduct more interviews with various guests, so please check back later for those.

Thumbling leaves the master’s house and goes to an innkeeper.  Their maids dislike Thumbling because he tells their boss about their thefts.  Again, he is chased by a woman with a cloth.  She scoops him up, ties him and flings him towards the cows and he gets eaten.  He makes his way through the digestive system, calling out for help.  They can’t hear him at first, but then do but don’t know where he is.  The cow is killed and slaughtered and made into black pudding, but he is able to avoid the knife and is now able to make his escape.

Please like, comment and subscribe!

For the full episode:

https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-9ys7q-189b2a1

For more in this podcast, please go to:

Podbean:

https://benomtad.podbean.com

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-benomtad/id1748320863

YouTube:

https://m.youtube.com/@scissorsandpaper/videos

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4kJPGlaJjGVyLa9AKhci6t?si=8XXrX9FUT3CU71reCfA5kQ

X:

https://x.com/Benomtad

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/benomtad

I plan to conduct more interviews with various guests, so please check back later for those.

A tailor’s son decides to go out into the world, is given a needle-sword, and has his last meal from his mom. But the vapors carry him out into the world via the chimney.  He makes his way to a master’s house and is employed.  But the food has too many potatoes and too little meat so he protests publicly.  Enraged, the mistress chases him around while he taunts her from various hiding places.  Eventually she chases him out of the house with her cloth.

Please like, comment and subscribe!

For the full episode:

https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-9ys7q-189b2a1

For more in this podcast, please go to:

Podbean:

https://benomtad.podbean.com

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-benomtad/id1748320863

YouTube:

https://m.youtube.com/@scissorsandpaper/videos

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4kJPGlaJjGVyLa9AKhci6t?si=8XXrX9FUT3CU71reCfA5kQ

X:

https://x.com/Benomtad

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/benomtad

I plan to conduct more interviews with various guests, so please check back later for those.

We summarize and discuss the Brothers Grimm story “Thumbling’s Travels.”  The diminutive main character decides to leave home and make his way in the world.  He’s given a needle sword by his father, and his mother’s food’s steam carries him through the chimney to begin his adventures.  He meets a cast of characters, including a band of robbers and pilfering maids, and makes his way through a cow and various foods it’s made out of.  Finally, a fox he makes a deal with brings him home, where his father trades all his fowl for his returned son.  

This seemed like a fun story about a plucky young man who is thrust about in various circumstances but is able to evade all sorts of censure and danger, mocking many who try to capture him.  He does not slay a dragon or win a great love, but he uses his wit and heart to survive many dangers of the world, and he thumbs his nose at people who try to control him.

Please like, comment and subscribe!

For the full episode:

https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-wdupe-1899017

For more in this podcast, please go to:

Podbean:

https://benomtad.podbean.com

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-benomtad/id1748320863

YouTube:

https://m.youtube.com/@scissorsandpaper/videos

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4kJPGlaJjGVyLa9AKhci6t?si=8XXrX9FUT3CU71reCfA5kQ

X:

https://x.com/Benomtad

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/benomtad

I plan to conduct more interviews with various guests, so please check back later for those.

The frugal princess takes only what she needs.  Food is rationed out to her; she survives on nettles; she keeps only the gift given to her herself.  Or this may be more about getting what is your right, vs. trying to hide who you are and getting what you desire.

Please like, comment and subscribe!

For the full episode:

https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-wdupe-1899017

For more in this podcast, please go to:

Podbean:

https://benomtad.podbean.com

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-benomtad/id1748320863

YouTube:

https://m.youtube.com/@scissorsandpaper/videos

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4kJPGlaJjGVyLa9AKhci6t?si=8XXrX9FUT3CU71reCfA5kQ

X:

https://x.com/Benomtad

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/benomtad

I plan to conduct more interviews with various guests, so please check back later for those.

We talk about elements of the story: the places where she sings her ditty: the nettle bush, the bridge and the church doorway.  

Please like, comment and subscribe!

For the full episode:

https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-wdupe-1899017

For more in this podcast, please go to:

Podbean:

https://benomtad.podbean.com

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-benomtad/id1748320863

YouTube:

https://m.youtube.com/@scissorsandpaper/videos

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4kJPGlaJjGVyLa9AKhci6t?si=8XXrX9FUT3CU71reCfA5kQ

X:

https://x.com/Benomtad

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/benomtad

I plan to conduct more interviews with various guests, so please check back later for those.