The Hobbit tells the story of Bilbo Baggins, a quiet and unadventurous hobbit who lives a comfortable life in the peaceful Shire. His life is turned upside down when the wizard Gandalf and a group of dwarves visit him one day and persuade him to join their quest. The dwarves are on a mission to reclaim their lost homeland, the Lonely Mountain, and its treasure, which has been taken over by the fearsome dragon Smaug.
At first, Bilbo is reluctant to leave his home, but he is soon swept up in the adventure. Along the way, Bilbo encounters many challenges and strange creatures, including trolls, goblins, giant spiders, and elves. He also finds a mysterious ring, which grants him the ability to become invisible. This ring becomes central to the story and plays a significant role in later events, particularly in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Throughout the journey, Bilbo grows from a reluctant and somewhat timid participant into a brave and resourceful hero. He proves his worth several times, including outsmarting Gollum, a strange creature living in a dark cave, and later using his wit to help the dwarves escape from the goblins and spiders.
When the company finally reaches the Lonely Mountain, Bilbo has a critical role in confronting Smaug. Although the dragon is killed by Bard, a human archer, Bilbo’s discovery of the dragon’s weak spot sets the stage for the dragon’s defeat. After Smaug’s death, the treasure becomes a source of conflict between the dwarves, elves, and men, leading to the Battle of the Five Armies, where Bilbo plays a peaceful but significant role in resolving the conflict.
By the end of the story, Bilbo returns to the Shire, much changed by his experiences. He is no longer the same timid hobbit who once feared adventure; he is now a wiser, more confident individual.