'There was a hole in the ground, and a hobbit lived in the hole.' These words were written by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien on the back of a school exam paper he was checking one hot summer day. And who would have thought that it was from them, like from a magic seed, that one of the most famous works of world literature would grow. This is a fairy tale that captivated both children and adults, sends the reader on an incredible journey, gives an unforgettable feeling of pristine children's delight and kindness.