While the cow was chewing the thistle Tom was afraid of her great teeth, which threatened to crush him in pieces, and he roared out as loud as he could: " Mother, mother! "

" Where are you, Tommy, my dear Tommy? " said his mother.

" Here, mother, " replied he, " in the red cow's mouth."

His mother began to cry and wring her hands; but the cow, surprised at the odd noise in her throat, opened her mouth and let Tom drop out.

Fortunately his mother caught him in her apron as he was falling to the ground, or he would have been dreadfully hurt.

One day when he was out in the fields, being very careful to avoid the cows, a raven who was flying overhead spotted him.

She swooped down, picked him up in her beak, and flew away with him.

Poor terrified Tom was screaming and wriggling, but the bird only let go of her captive when she was over the sea.

Down down down, he tumbled, into the water.

And a moment after he was in the sea, a large fish swallowed him up.