Master Samwise can read

[Morsul the Dark]

Throughout the book were supposed to believe Sam is a bit simple so to speak he does however know how to read as Gaffer says "Hes learned him his letter meaning no harm of course" and all the other scoff...so I must wonder why do we onsider sam simple when hes actually seemingly smarter than half the shire?

I never liked that simple-minded view of Sam and it certainly seems uncharactoristic.