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Tom Bombadil: A Short Meditation for Sunday Morning
The big willow tree swallowed Pippin and Merry and threatened to suffocate them. Frodo and Sam were frantically yelling for help when they heard someone carelessly and happily singing a ludicrous little song and making all sorts of noise as he stomped. The person listened to the hobbits’ plea and, taking their plea seriously but not urgently, commanded the willow to release them, which it did.
The person was Tom Bombadil, one of Tolkien’s most enigmatic characters. He was neither man nor elf nor dwarf nor hobbit. Older than the world, he was most likely a Maiar, one of the lesser gods who came to Middle Earth at the beginning of time to help form and shape it.
Whatever he was, one thing was certain: He was powerful, as evidenced by his power over the mighty willow tree. He was so powerful that, at the Council of Elrond, it was suggested that he be given the One Ring, for he was invincible within his realm and, unlike every other creature of Middle Earth, the Ring had no power over him.
Bombadil exercised his power ruthlessly: Spending his days rambling about his lands, making merry, singing silly songs and laughing with the plants, and listening to his lady Goldberry sing.
When called upon, he was a gracious host: Tending the hobbits’ ponies, providing the hobbits with soft…
