The story 'Smith of Wootton Major' is also great. It tells the story of a young boy in a village who receives a star - like gift that gives him access to a magical realm. Through this story, Tolkien weaves in themes of innocence, discovery, and the power of the extraordinary in an ordinary life.
One interesting Tolkien short story is 'Leaf by Niggle'. It's a thought - provoking tale about an artist named Niggle. His focus on creating a beautiful tree in his paintings shows Tolkien's exploration of the creative process and the significance of art.
Another good one is 'Farmer Giles of Ham'. It's a humorous story set in a sort of semi - mythical England. Giles, a rather ordinary farmer, has an encounter with a dragon. It's a fun read that shows Tolkien's ability to write in different tones, not just the high - epic style we often associate with him.
One interesting Tolkien short story is 'Leaf by Niggle'. It's a profound tale about an artist named Niggle. His focus on creating a beautiful tree in his paintings while facing distractions and the limitations of life is really engaging. It reflects on themes like art, self - discovery, and the afterlife in Tolkien's unique way.
One interesting aspect is his rich world - building. Even in short stories, Tolkien creates vivid landscapes like Middle - earth. His use of language is also captivating, with archaic - sounding words that add to the fantastical atmosphere.
Another aspect could be how different races in Tolkien's world come together for a Christmas - like celebration. Men, dwarves, hobbits, and elves might put aside their differences for a day. Dwarves could bring their fine crafts as gifts, men could offer their strength in helping to prepare the grand feast, and together they would create a unique and harmonious Christmas celebration that showcases the unity and diversity of Middle - earth.
There are Tolkien fan fictions that are set in different time periods of Middle - earth. A great example would be a story set during the First Age, which Tolkien didn't fully explore in his main works. It could show the wars between the Elves and Morgoth in more detail. Some fan fictions also play with the idea of alternate universes, where things in Middle - earth happened very differently, like if Sauron had won the war. This allows for very creative and unique stories.
One of the best Tolkien stories is 'The Lord of the Rings'. It's a grand epic that follows Frodo and his companions on their quest to destroy the One Ring. The richly detailed world of Middle - earth, with its diverse races like hobbits, elves, dwarves and men, is fascinating. The story is full of adventure, sacrifice and the battle between good and evil.
I would also recommend 'Farmer Giles of Ham'. The story has a clear plot - a farmer facing a dragon - and it's full of humor. Beginners can easily get into the story and enjoy Tolkien's creative world without getting too bogged down in complex lore or difficult language.
You can find Tolkien short stories in many anthologies. For example, 'The Tolkien Reader' contains several of his short works. It's a great collection that's widely available in bookstores or libraries.
Tolkien defines fairy - stories as stories that deal with the realm of Faerie. This is a world filled with magic, wonder, and the extraordinary. For instance, it includes things like elves, dwarves, and other fantastical creatures.
Tolkien defines fairy stories as a genre that involves elements of magic, wonder, and the creation of otherworldly settings.
One funny story is that Tolkien and Lewis often had intense debates about their works. Lewis was known for his quick wit, and once during a debate with Tolkien, he made a really outlandish but hilarious analogy about one of Tolkien's fantastical creatures that left Tolkien both exasperated and amused.