The Hobbit - a story of courage

[Valandil]

I am currently reading The Hobbit to my younger sons, aged 9 and 7 (we're almost done now - just the last two short chapters to go, since I did two last night). I'm really struck by the theme of courage. And not just physical courage (facing Trolls, Goblins, Gollum, spiders and a dragon - but moral courage.

Here is what Bilbo does that is so morally courageous in my mind:
* Sees Thorin's error in dealing with the Men of Laketown and Elves of Mirkwood.
* Makes a plan to resolve the situation and acts upon it.
* Returns to his Dwarf companions after doing so - willing to accept whatever they would do to him, because he has been through so much with them and because he had promised Bombur to wake him at the end of his shift to watch. He still clearly identifies with them - though Thorin, at least, will cease to identify with him for a time.

I hope these lessons sink in with my sons, and that they take this to heart.