12. The Drummer supposed he had been gone three days but it was three years.
13. The wedding was to take place in three days.
14. The princess sang her song three times.
Tom, the Water Baby
(Volume II, page 215)
“This is all a fairy tale, and only fun and pretense; and therefore, you are not to believe a word of it, even if it is true.”
But what a wonderful tale it is; so interesting a story, such a mixture of fact and fancy, so brimming full of fun and laughter, so touching in pathos, and so rife with good lessons. Though “you are not to believe a word of it, even if it is true,” there is so much truth in it that you really cannot keep from believing a great deal of it.
A better comprehension of Tom, the Water Baby among parents will mean a greater popularity for it among children. The tale is too long for a full interpretation, but we can offer an analysis which will help to keep the story in mind, and some illustrations of different meritorious features.
