So begins The Hobbit Written by J.R.R. Tolkien over fifty years ago. The Hobbit along with The Lord of the Rings established the genre of epic fantasy. I suppose hobbits need some description nowadays, since they have become rare and shy of the Big People, as they call us.
Hobbits have no beards.
There is little or no magic about them, except the ordinary everyday sort which helps them to disappear quietly and quickly when large stupid folk like you and me come blundering along, making a noise like elephants which they can hear a mile off. The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien Back to The Shire. The One Ring.