Thomas’ strict father rules his religious family with a will of iron and punishes his wife and children when they step out of line. The boy has an imaginative approach to faith. He has long chats with Jesus and tries to soothe his father’s heart with the same plagues that Moses unleashed on the Pharaoh of Egypt. Unfortunately, these do not have the desired effect and only make things worse. Fortunately, Thomas gets help from his neighbor, a nice ‘witch’ who introduces Thomas to music and books.the desired effect and only make things worse. Fortunately, Thomas gets help from his neighbor, a nice ‘witch’ who introduces Thomas to music and books.