There lived a tailor who had only one son, and he was extremely small, not any larger than your thumb, and so was called Tom Thumb. - However, he was a courageous little fellow, and he told his father, "Father, I am determined to go into the world to seek my fortune." - "Very well, my son," answered the old man, and taking a big darning needle, he made a top to it of sealing wax, and gave it to Tom Thumb, saying: "There is a sword for you to use to defend yourself on your journeyings."