The mother began to cry and wring her hands; but the cow, surprised at
such odd noises in her throat, opened her mouth and let him drop out.
His mother clapped him into her apron and ran home with him.

[Illustration]

Tom's father made him a whip of barley-straw to drive the cattle with,
and one day in the field Tom slipped into a deep furrow. A raven
flying over picked him up with a grain of corn, and flew with him to
the top of the giant's castle by the seaside, where he left him. Old
Grumbo, the giant, came out soon afterwards, to walk upon his terrace,
and Tom, frightened out of his wits, managed to creep up his sleeve.
Tom's motions made the giant uncomfortable, and with a jerk of his
arm, he threw him into the sea. A great fish then swallowed him. The
fish was soon after caught, and sent as a present to King Arthur. When
it was cut open, everybody was delighted with little Tom Thumb, who
was found inside. He became the favorite of the whole court, and by
his merry pranks often amused the King and Queen.

[Illustration]

The King, when he rode on horseback, frequently took Tom in his hand;
and if a shower of rain came on, the tiny dwarf used to creep into the
King's waistcoat pocket and sleep till the rain was over. The King now
questioned him concerning his parents; and when Tom informed his
majesty they were very poor people, the King led him into his
treasury, and told him he should pay them a visit and take with him
as much money as he could carry.