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