The Hobbit - Chapter 07 - Queer Lodgings

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

But why sheep? Somehow they're safe with a skin-changer!?

...and as a man he keeps cattle and horses which are nearly as marvellous as himself. They work for him and talk to him. He does not eat them. Neither does he hunt or eat wild animals.

This actually leads to an interesting question - were all beornings vegetarians, or just skin-changers, or just Beorn?
And were there more skin-changers than Beorn, or have I been under a wrong impression? The bears that had danced in Beorn's yard, were they skin-changers too or ordinary bears?

This is one of my favourite chapters in TH. The atmosphere is just great, but most credit goes to Beorn. He's a good character and a fascinating personality. I've always liked how treats Bilbo, and how this resembles the eagles' behaviour towards him.