THE POOR WOODSMAN. The seven children of the poor woodsman form a dejected group around their hearthstone. The youngest, the hero of our story, raises two empty wooden bowls from the table and thus demonstrates that the cupboard is bare. The father and mother come in and after the children are sent to bed, discuss some means of providing for them; they cannot bear the sight of the little ones starving before their eyes, so decide to lose them in the dark forest. Tom Thumb in the meantime has hidden himself under the table and overhears what is to befall him and his brothers. LOST IN THE FOREST. Early the next morning the woodsman and his wife conduct their family to the gloomy woods. Tom Thumb drops crumbs along the way, hoping by this means to retrace his step. While the children are gathering faggots the parents steal away unobserved. As soon as the brothers discover that they are left alone, our hero climbs a tree in order to command a wider view, but can see nothing of them. The breadcrumbs do not serve their purpose for the birds have devoured them, so the children wander in vain through the dense woods. THE OGRE’S HOUSE. As night falls Tom Thumb perceives a light, and on following it they come to a large house, which is the home of a dreadful Ogre. His kindhearted wife hides the seven boys in a large chest, just before her husband’s return. But soon the Ogre smells the fresh meat and discovering their hiding place, pulls Tom Thumb from his retreat, then thrusts him back to reserve the feast for the next day. TOM THUMB’S RUSE. The Ogre’s seven daughters, each wearing her crown, are seen safely to bed by their mother. After they fall asleep the woodsman’s children troop in and occupy the other large bed. Tom Thumb has the brilliant idea of changing his cap and those of his companions in misfortune for the crowns of the Ogre’s daughters. As soon as this is accomplished the drunken Ogre staggers in and, spying the heads with the caps, cuts them off with a single blow. When the Ogre disappears the children escape from the house. TAKING AWAY THE BOOTS. The Ogre dons his seven-league boots and pursues the fugitives. At last becoming fatigued, he falls asleep near the entrance to a cave where the children are hiding. With much difficulty Tom Thumb draws the boots from the Ogre’s feet and sending the other children home, returns to the Ogre’s house. The Ogre awakens, but is helpless without his boots, as the stones cut his bare feet. TOM THUMB REWARDED. Tom Thumb, aided by the Ogre’s magic boots, reaches his destination. The wife is in tears over the fate of her daughters, but when Tom Thumb represents that her husband is captured by brigands, she gives him a bag of money and jewels for the Ogre’s ransom, and a talisman which shall invoke a fairy at his command. TOM THUMB’S RETURN. Tom Thumb returns to his parents shortly after his brothers’ arrival, and after a joyful family reunion presents his gifts to his mother. By means of the talisman he summons the good fairy, who transforms the hut into a palace and bestows boundless wealth and happiness upon the humble family.