In the Brothers Grimm version of "Tom Thumb", a lonely couple hopes for a child, even "if it were no bigger than my thumb". To their delight, their wishes come true and the boy is named "Tom Thumb" for his diminutive stature. The boy is crafty and helps his father by directing the family horse to haul firewood by standing in his ear and whispering commands. Embarking on several adventures, Tom displays a knack for tricking the slow-witted people who attempt to take advantage of Tom's unique size. Being swallowed whole first by a cow and later a wolf, Tom hatches an ingenious plot to return home.
