When Tom’s mother was not looking, the cow took the wisp of hay into her mouth.

She began to chew and chew.

Tom began to jump about and shout.

He frightened the cow so that she opened her great mouth and out Tom jumped.

Then Tom’s mother took him in her apron and ran with him to the house, but he was not hurt in the least.

[Illustration]

One day Tom was in the field helping his father.

“Let me drive the horse home,” said Tom “You drive the horse!” said his father.

“How could you hold the reins?”

“I could stand in the horse’s ear and tell him which way to go,” said Tom.

So his father put him in the horse’s ear, and he drove safely home.

“Mother! mother!” cried Tom.

But when Tom’s mother came out, she could see no one.

She began to be afraid.

“Where are you, Tom?” she cried.

“Here I am in the horse’s ear.  Please take me down,” said Tom.

His mother lifted him gently down, kissed him, and gave him a blackberry for his supper.

Tom’s father made him a whip out of a straw.

Tom tried to drive the cows, but he fell into a deep ditch.

There a great bird saw him and thought he was a mouse.

The bird seized Tom in her claws and carried him toward her nest.

As they were passing over the sea, Tom got away and fell into the water, where a great fish swallowed him at one mouthful.

Soon after this the fish was caught, and it was such a big one that it was sent at once to King Arthur.

When the cook cut open the fish, out jumped Tom Thumb.  Tom was brought before the king, and his story was told.

TOM THUMB—­IV

The king grew very fond of Tom and his wise sayings.  He took Tom with him wherever he went.

If it began to rain, Tom would creep into the king’s pocket and sleep until the rain was over.

The king had a new suit made for Tom, and gave him a needle for a sword.

A mouse was trained for Tom to ride.

The king and queen never tired of seeing him ride his queer little horse and bravely wave his sword.

One day, as they were going hunting, a cat jumped out and caught Tom’s mouse.

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Tom drew his sword and tried to drive the cat away.

The king ran to help poor Tom, but the little mouse was dead, and Tom was scratched and bitten.

Tom was put to bed, but he did not die.

No indeed! he was soon well again, and fought many brave battles and did many brave deeds to please the king.

English Fairy Tale

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