Sylvia Long's Thumbelina (3 page)

W
hen autumn arrived, Thumbelina's wedding clothes were ready. She sobbed pitifully and said she did not wish to marry the mole and live in darkness beneath the earth.

“Nonsense!” declared the field mouse. “Don't be stubborn or I shall bite you with my sharp teeth! He is a very handsome mole and you are lucky that he wants you. The queen herself does not wear more beautiful velvets. His kitchen and cellars are quite full. You should feel very grateful for this opportunity.”

S
adly, Thumbelina counted the days until the mole was to fetch her. Every morning as the sun rose and each evening when it set, Thumbelina slipped to the cornfield so she could watch for a glimpse of sky as the wind parted the tall leaves of corn. She often caught sight of flocks of birds soaring so high above they were but little specks in the brilliant autumn sky.

“Farewell, bright sun! Good-bye sweet friends,” she cried.

Early one morning, Thumbelina walked a short distance to where the corn had recently been cut and only dry stubble remained in the fields. Thumbelina wept, as she stood among brilliant red flowers that grew near the field mouse's door.

Suddenly, she heard a familiar sound.

I
t was the swallow! As soon as he spied Thumbelina, he swooped down to greet her. Bitter tears filled her eyes as she told him that she was soon to marry the mole and live always beneath the ground, never again to see the brilliant sun or feel its warmth.

“Will you fly away with me now?” asked the swallow. “I'll take you far from here, over the mountains to country where it is always summer. You saved my life when I lay frozen in that dark passage and I can't bear to see you so unhappy. Please come with me, dear little Thumbelina.”

T
humbelina climbed onto the swallow's back and held on tightly as the bird rose high into the air. The swallow flew over forest and sea, above the tallest mountain peaks, forever covered with snow. Thumbelina tucked herself under the swallow's feathers to keep warm in the frigid air, but she kept her head uncovered as they soared so she could see the beautiful lands that passed beneath them.

A
t last they reached a meadow filled with wildflowers. The sun shone brightly on trees heavy with lemons and oranges. Long vines of purple, green, and white grapes climbed dazzling marble pillars and the air was fragrant with honeysuckle and gardenias.

They flew by an ancient palace. High on the walls were many swallows' nests. One of these was the home of Thumbelina's friend.

“You are welcome to stay with me,” he said, “but I don't think you would be happy living so high above the ground.”

The swallow landed in a small meadow near three broken pieces of a marble pillar.

“Here you will be comfortable and have all you've wished for,” said the swallow. Then he placed her on the sturdy leaf of a large white flower.

H
ow surprised Thumbelina was to see in the flower's center a man scarcely larger than herself! He had a golden crown upon his head and delicate wings at his shoulders.

When he saw Thumbelina, he was delighted. Her beauty and kindness glowed from within and she looked so enchanting to him that he fell immediately in love with her.

The prince placed his golden crown upon her head and asked if she would be his wife and queen of his fairy kingdom.

T
humbelina's heart filled with joy. She knew that he would be a much better husband than the horrible toad who would only say, “Croak, croak, croak,” the disagreeable beetle, or the gloomy mole.

A
ll the flowers opened and each revealed a little maiden like herself or a tiny lord. They brought presents to Thumbelina. The best gift of all was a pair of gossamer fairy wings, which they fastened on her shoulders, so she might fly from flower to flower.

Her dear friend the swallow watched from above. Thumbelina asked him to sing a wedding song and there was much rejoicing.

W
hen the time came for the swallow to return to his home to the north, he wished Thumbelina and her prince much happiness.

During his long travels, the swallow sang the story. A storyteller in Denmark named Hans Christian Andersen heard the swallow's song. He wrote it exactly as it happened, so that all the children would know of the adventures of kind and lovely Thumbelina.