Tom Thumb by Dinah Mulock (1838)
In the days of King Arthur, a ploughman and his wife, longing for a child, express a wish for a son no bigger than a thumb. Merlin, the enchanter, grants their wish, and the boy, named Tom Thumb, is born. Despite his tiny size, Tom is clever but often gets into trouble due to his cunning nature. He experiences various misadventures, including being swallowed by a cow and a giant, only to be rescued each time. Eventually, he becomes a favorite at King Arthur's court, where he entertains the king and nobility with his antics. Tom's life is filled with ups and downs, including being trapped in a mouse-trap and nearly executed for mischief. He is knighted and rides a mouse, but his adventures lead him into perilous situations, such as being attacked by a cat and later a spider. Ultimately, Tom meets his demise from a spider's bite, prompting mourning throughout the kingdom. His life, though short, is celebrated with a grand burial and an epitaph that honors his contributions to the court and the joy he brought to those around him. The tale encapsulates themes of adventure, mischief, and the fleeting nature of life.
By Dinah Mulock · First published 1838 · Genre: Fairy Tales, Childrens, Fantasy · 2,861 words
First lines
In the days of King Arthur, Merlin, the most learned enchanter of his time, was on a journey; and being very weary, stopped one day at the cottage of an honest ploughman to ask for refreshment. The ploughman's wife, with great civility, immediately brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, and some brown bread on a wooden platter. Merlin could not help observing, that although everything within the cottage was particularly neat and clean, and in good order, the ploughman and his wife had the most sorrowful air imaginable: so he questioned them on the cause of their melancholy, and learned that they were very miserable because they had no children. The poor woman declared, with tears in her eyes, that she should be the happiest creature in the world, if she had a son, although he were no bigger than his father's thumb.
What this Textopian page supports
Tom Thumb is listed on Textopian as a short story by Dinah Mulock, dated 1838 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: 1838 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tales, Childrens, Fantasy, Folklore
- Length: 2,861 words
- Structure: 1 section, 28 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Tom Thumb by Dinah Mulock
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Tom Thumb?
- How does this short story by Dinah Mulock fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fairy Tales first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Little One Eye Little Two Eyes And Little Three Eyes by Dinah Mulock
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- The White Cat by Gelett Burgess
- Graciosa And Percinet by Dinah Mulock
- The Dragons Grandmother by G. K. Chesterton
Genres
- Fairy Tales — The character of Tom Thumb is embraced in many traditional folklore and fairy tales, dealing with magic and fantasy elements.
- Childrens — The story presents kid-friendly themes and characters, aiming for a younger audience.
- Fantasy — The story contains fantastical elements, such as a human shrinking to the size of a thumb.
- Folklore — Tom Thumb is a character from English folklore.
Tags
fairy tale · children's literature · fantasy · adventure · moral lessons · size · imagination · family · friendship · courage · humor · whimsical