On my first day of freedom, I went into the capital city, Mildendo. I stepped over the city walls and walked through the streets. Most of the houses in Mildendo had three to five stories.
They were painted in many bright colors, and some had unusual patterns painted on them. People watched me curiously from every window.
The city was a square, with two main streets that crossed in the middle of the city. These two streets divided Mildendo into quarters. The main streets were just wide enough for me to walk down.
I could not go into the smaller streets, though, because my feet were too big and those streets were too narrow. Because the Lilliputians are so small, I had to walk very carefully so as not to step on anyone.
"Hello!" I said to people as I passed them.
Some people waved. A man in a blue coat called out, "Welcome to Mildendo."
"This is the most crowded city I’ve ever seen," I said to him.
"Five hundred thousand people live here," he replied almost proudly.
The king’s palace was in the center of the city, surrounded by a high, thick wall. I climbed over the wall and lay down on the ground.
From there I could see into the palace rooms. Everything in the palace was beautiful, just as the king had said. In one room I saw the queen talking with some ladies. When she saw me, she came to the window.
"Enormous One," she said, "welcome to our fair city. You may kiss my hand." Her hand was smaller than the nail of my little finger.
"I am honored to see you, Your Majesty," I replied. "Your palace is magnificent. In all my travels, I have never seen a better palace."
I kissed her tiny hand very carefully. The queen and I talked for a little while.
All things in Lilliput—the people, the birds, the animals, the plants and trees—are tiny.
The people would fit nicely into my daughter's dollhouse. Even the tallest trees on the island are only a little taller than I am. When I first arrived, I was surprised at the smallness of everything. After a few weeks, though, I got used to it.
Day by day, I learned more about the customs of Lilliput. In Lilliput, as in England, a person who does something bad is punished. The king of Lilliput, however, also rewards good people. If they obey all laws for six years, he gives them money.
"What an interesting idea," I said to myself. "The king of England does not reward people for good behavior. His people might behave better if he did."
One day, a visitor came to see me.
"My name is Reldresal," he said. "I am the king’s chief assistant. I help him make decisions and take care of his important business."
"I am very happy to meet you, sir," I said to Reldresal. "Please thank His Majesty for giving me my freedom. Now I can explore your lovely island."
"The king set you free," explained my new friend, "because he needs your help. Lilliput is in danger."
"What kind of danger?" I asked.
"Ah, that is a long story," Reldresal replied. "Let me tell you a little of the history of Lilliput."