Дюймовочка

           Theswallowdrank,andtoldherhowhehadhurtoneofhiswingsinathornbush,andforthatreasoncouldn’tflyasfastastheotherswallowswhentheyflewfar,farawaytothewarmcountries. Finallyhehaddroppedtotheground. Thatwasallheremembered,andhehadnoideahowhecametobewhereshefoundhim. 

           Theswallowstayedthereallthroughthewinter,andThumbelinawaskindtohimandtendedhimwithlovingcare. Shedidn’tsayanythingaboutthistothefieldmouseortothemole,becausetheydidnotlikethepoorunfortunateswallow. 

           Assoonasspringcameandthesunwarmedtheearth,theswallowtoldThumbelinaitwastimetosaygood-by. Shereopenedtheholethatthemolehadmadeintheceiling,andthesunshoneinsplendoruponthem. TheswallowaskedThumbelinatogowithhim.Shecouldsitonhisbackastheyflewawaythroughthegreenwoods. ButThumbelinaknewthatitwouldmaketheoldfieldmousefeelbadlyifsheleftlikethat,soshesaid: 

           "No,Icannotgo." 

           "Fareyouwell,fareyouwell,mygoodandprettygirl,"saidtheswallow,asheflewintothesunshine. TearscameintoThumbelina’seyesasshewatchedhimgo,forshewassofondofthepoorswallow. 

           "Chirp,chirp!"sangthebird,atheflewintothegreenwoods. 

           Thumbelinafeltverydowncast. Shewasnotpermittedtogooutinthewarmsunshine. Moreover,thegrainthatwassowninthefieldabovethefieldmouse’shousegrewsotallthat,toapoorlittlegirlwhowasonlyaninchhigh,itwaslikeadenseforest.