Chapter 1: A Long-Expected Party

Bilbo Baggins lived in Bag End for many, many years. His home was a comfortable hobbit-hole on the side of a hill, with round doors, warm fires, and shelves full of books and food. Bilbo was a very rich hobbit, and he was also quite strange. Why? Because many years ago, he went on an adventure with dwarves and a wizard.

Now, he was going to be one hundred and eleven years old—an unusual age for a hobbit. He decided to have a big birthday party. Not just big—huge! He invited every hobbit from Hobbiton and beyond.

Frodo, Bilbo’s young cousin, lived with him. Frodo helped him prepare for the party. They wrote invitations, bought food and fireworks, and cleaned the garden.

Gandalf the Grey, the old wizard, arrived with a cart full of fireworks.

“Good morning, Bilbo!” said Gandalf, smiling under his long, grey beard.

“Ah, Gandalf, my old friend!” Bilbo replied. “You are just in time.”

The party was wonderful. There were music, dancing, food, and fireworks. Hobbits ate cakes and drank ale. Children laughed and played with balloons.

After dinner, Bilbo stood on a table and gave a speech.

“My dear Bagginses and Boffins, Tooks and Brandybucks!” he began. “Today is my one hundred and eleventh birthday!”

The crowd clapped and cheered.

“I am going now. I bid you all farewell.”

And then, suddenly—poof! Bilbo disappeared!

The hobbits gasped in surprise. “Where did he go?” some cried.

Bilbo used a magic ring to become invisible. He quickly walked back to Bag End. There, he took off the ring and sighed.

“I am tired of this place,” he said to himself. “It is time for a new adventure.”

Gandalf was waiting for him.

“So, you used the ring,” Gandalf said quietly.