J.R.R. Tolkien began what would become the Hobbit after experiencing the horrors of the First World War. Initially, he began the book as a way to entertain his children, but he soon realized that it appealed to people of all ages as a tale of an unadventurous little person whose courage helped him survive a series of sometimes fearsome adventures. As we face an uncertain time, I hope the example of an unassuming hobbit named Bilbo Baggins can inspire each of us to face the future with courage and humility. The picture at the top of the page represents Lothlorien. A reading of the Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien