Hop-O'-My-Thumb by Dinah Mulock
In a village, a poor faggot-maker and his wife struggle to feed their seven sons, particularly the smallest, Hop-o'-my-thumb, who is underestimated due to his size. Faced with starvation, the parents decide to abandon the children in the forest. However, Hop-o'-my-thumb cleverly leads his brothers back home using pebbles he dropped along the way. When the parents attempt to abandon them again, Hop-o'-my-thumb uses breadcrumbs, but birds eat them, leaving the children lost and frightened in the woods. They stumble upon the home of an Ogre, who intends to eat them. The Ogre's wife hides them, but the Ogre discovers their presence and plans to kill them. Hop-o'-my-thumb devises a plan to switch places with the Ogre's daughters, leading to the Ogre mistakenly killing his own children. The boys escape, and Hop-o'-my-thumb takes the Ogre's magical seven-league boots, allowing him to serve the king and gain wealth. With his newfound fortune, he supports his family and becomes a favored advisor to the king. The Ogre dies from a serpent sting, and Hop-o'-my-thumb ensures the Ogre's wife is honored for her kindness. Ultimately, he rises to prominence, becoming a respected lord in the kingdom.
By Dinah Mulock · First published 1827 · Genre: Children's literature, Fairy Tale, Fantasy · 4,485 words
First lines
There once lived in a village a faggot-maker and his wife, who had seven children, all boys; the eldest was no more than ten years old, and the youngest was only seven.
What this Textopian page supports
Hop-O'-My-Thumb is listed on Textopian as a short story by Dinah Mulock, dated 1827 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Dinah Mulock
- Date: 1827 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Children's literature, Fairy Tale, Fantasy
- Length: 4,485 words
- Structure: 1 section, 49 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Hop-O'-My-Thumb by Dinah Mulock
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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- The Adventures Of Puss In Boots by David Cory
- Puss In Boots by Dinah Mulock
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- The White Cat by Gelett Burgess
- Jack And The Bean Stalk by Dinah Mulock
Genres
- Children's literature — The book is an adaptation of a well-known fairytale, typically associated with children's literature.
- Fairy Tale — The book is a retelling of the classic French folktale 'Hop o' My Thumb'.
- Fantasy — The book features elements of magic and fantastical creatures, which are common in fantasy genre.
Tags
fairy tale · children's literature · adventure · fantasy · folk tale · size · bravery · resourcefulness · family · magic · imagination · overcoming obstacles