J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit

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Bilbo Baggins, a respectable and unadventurous hobbit, is paid a visit by Gandalf, a wizard, who offers him the chance to go on an adventure. Bilbo, in trying to get rid of the wizard, inadvertently invites him to tea the next evening. The next day, Bilbo is flustered to find that in addition to Gandalf, he seems to have invited thirteen dwarves to tea as well. As he serves the dwarves and Gandalf tea and then supper, Bilbo learns that Gandalf has advertised him to the dwarves as a burglar. The dwarves wish him to help them on their quest to the Lonely Mountain, where they hope to recover treasure from Smaug the dragon, who destroyed their ancestral home under the mountain. Though at first Bilbo quakes at the suggestion of meeting a dragon, he is challenged upon hearing the dwarves' disparaging his courage and abilities. Stung by their remarks, Bilbo throws himself into the adventure with uncharacteristic boldness and determination.

The adventures quickly begin; the dwarves and Bilbo are caught by three trolls, who put them into sacks. They are saved by Gandalf, who sets the trolls squabbling amongst themselves until daybreak, when they are all turned to stone. Once set free, the dwarves find the trolls' cave, where they discover food, gold, and weapons. Soon after, they have a short rest at Rivendell, home to Elrond, an elf- lord, and his people. Refreshed and restored, the company sets off once again.

As they venture into the Misty Mountains, they are caught in a tremendous storm and take shelter in a cave, along with th...

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Finally, Bilbo sets out for home with Gandalf, having accepted only a small fraction of the treasure offered to him. They take the longer route home around Mirkwood and spend the winter with Beorn and the elves of Rivendell. Bilbo arrives home just in time to prevent his home and property from being auctioned off. He settles down to living a calm and unadventurous life once again, though he is marked forever afterward as strange and not quite respectable by his neighbors. A few years later, Gandalf and Balin, one of the dwarves, visit Bilbo and tell him about the great prosperity that has come to the lands around the Lonely Mountain.

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