It is said that when the King rode out on horseback, he often took
Tom along with him, and if a shower came on, he used to creep into his
Majesty's waistcoat pocket, where he slept till the rain was over.
King Arthur one day asked Tom about his parents, wishing to know if
they were as small as he was, and whether rich or poor. Tom told the
King that his father and mother were as tall as any of the sons about
court, but rather poor. On hearing this, the King carried Tom to his
treasury, the place where he kept all his money, and told him to take
as much money as he could carry home to his parents, which made the
poor little fellow caper with joy. Tom went immediately to fetch a
purse, which was made of a water-bubble, and then returned to the
treasury, where he got a silver three-penny piece to put into it.
Our little hero had some trouble in lifting the burden upon his back;
but he at last succeeded in getting it placed to his mind, and set
forward on his journey. However, without meeting with any accident
and after resting himself more than a hundred times by the way, in two
days and two nights he reached his father's house in safety.
Tom had traveled forty-eight hours with a huge silver-piece on his
back, and was almost tired to death, when his mother ran out to meet
him, and carried him into the house.
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