GULLIVER'S TRAVELS

By Jonathan Swift

This is a very old story.
It is about a man named Gulliver.
He goes on trips to strange lands.

Part 1: A Trip to Lilliput

Part 2: A Trip to Brobdingnag

About This Book

This book was written a long time ago.
It was made in the year 1726.
It was not made for children.
But children loved it anyway!

Kids do not know all the big ideas in the book.
But they love the exciting adventures.
The story takes you to new, amazing worlds.

The story also teaches a lesson.
Even young children can understand the lesson.

This book is easy to read.
It feels a little like a fairy tale.
Older readers can enjoy it too.
They find deeper meanings in the story.

This version is close to the first book.
Some hard old words were changed.
Some parts were left out.
Those parts were not good for children.
Some notes were added to explain hard words.

What Is In This Book

Trip to Lilliput

Chapter 1: Gulliver tells about his family.
He wants to travel.
His ship sinks.
He swims to safety.
He lands in Lilliput.
Small people capture him.

Chapter 2: The king of Lilliput comes to see Gulliver.
Teachers come to teach him their language.
People search his pockets.
They take his sword and gun.

Chapter 3: Gulliver does fun tricks for the king.
He learns the fun games people play there.
He gets his freedom, but with rules.

Chapter 4: Gulliver sees the capital city.
He sees the king's palace.
He talks with a helper about the kingdom.
He offers to help the king fight wars.

Chapter 5: Gulliver stops an attack in a clever way.
He gets a special honor.
Messengers come asking for peace.

Chapter 6: We learn about the people of Lilliput.
We learn how they teach their children.
Gulliver helps a kind lady.

Chapter 7: Someone wants to punish Gulliver.
He runs away to another land called Blefuscu.

Chapter 8: Gulliver finds a way to leave.
He finally goes back home.

Trip to Brobdingnag

Chapter 1: A big storm hits the ship.
Gulliver goes to find water on land.
He gets left behind.
A giant picks him up.
The giant takes him to a farmhouse.

Chapter 2: We learn about the farmer's daughter.
Gulliver goes to a town, then a big city.

Chapter 3: The queen buys Gulliver.
She gives him to the king.
He talks with smart people at court.
He stands up for his home country.

Chapter 4: We learn about this giant land.
We see the king's palace.
We learn how Gulliver travels there.

Chapter 5: Gulliver has more adventures.
He shows he knows how to sail ships.

Chapter 6: Gulliver shows his music skills.
The king asks about Europe.
Gulliver tells him all about it.

Chapter 7: Gulliver makes an offer to help the king.
The king says no.
We learn about their laws and army.

Chapter 8: The king and queen travel to see their land.
Gulliver goes with them.
Then, he finally goes home to England.

A Note From the Publisher

Gulliver is my good friend.
He is also a little bit of family.
He used to live in a place called Redriff.
Now he lives near Newark instead.

Gulliver's family first came from Oxfordshire.
His father lived in Nottinghamshire.

Gulliver gave me his papers.
He said I could share them.
I read them three times.
His writing is simple and clear.
He tells very true stories.
His neighbors always trust his words.

I decided to share this book with everyone.
I hope people enjoy it.

I took out some parts of the book.
Those parts were about sailing details.
I wanted the story to be easy for everyone to read.

You can learn more about Gulliver in the story itself.

— Richard Sympson

Chapter 1: Gulliver Tells About Himself

My father had a small farm in Nottinghamshire.
I was the third of five sons.

I went to college at age fourteen.
I studied hard for three years.
But school cost too much money.

So I became a helper to a doctor.
His name was Mr. James Bates.
He worked in London.
I helped him for four years.

My father sent me a little money sometimes.
I used it to learn about sailing.
I wanted to travel one day.

Then I went to study medicine in Leyden.
I studied there for over two years.
I knew medicine would help me on long trips.

After that, I became a ship's doctor.
I sailed on a ship called the "Swallow."
I worked for three and a half years.
We sailed to faraway places.

Then I came home and settled in London.
Mr. Bates helped me find patients there.
I rented part of a small house...