Дюймовочка

           Snowbegantofall,andeverytimeasnowflakestruckheritwasasifshehadbeenhitbyawholeshovelful,forwearequitetallwhileshemeasuredonlyaninch. Shewrappedawitheredleafabouther,buttherewasnowarmthinit.Sheshiveredwithcold. 

           Neartheedgeofthewoodswhereshenowhadarrived,wasalargegrainfield,butthegrainhadbeenharvestedlongago.Onlythedry,barestubblestuckoutofthefrozenground. Itwasjustasifshewerelostinavastforest, andohhowsheshiveredwithcold! Thenshecametothedoorofafieldmouse,whohadalittleholeamidstthestubble. Therethismouselived,warmandcozy,withawholestore-roomofgrain,andamagnificentkitchenandpantry. PoorThumbelinastoodatthedoor,justlikeabeggarchild,andpledforalittlebitofbarley,becauseshehadn’thadanythingtoeatfortwodayspast. 

           "Why,youpoorlittlething,"saidthefieldmouse,whoturnedouttobeakind-heartedoldcreature."Youmustcomeintomywarmroomandsharemydinner." ShetooksuchafancytoThumbelinathatshesaid, "Ifyoucareto,youmaystaywithmeallwinter,butyoumustkeepmyroomtidy,andtellmestories,forIamveryfondofthem." Thumbelinadidasthekindoldfieldmouseaskedandshehadaverygoodtimeofit. 

           "Soonweshallhaveavisitor,"thefieldmousesaid. "Onceeveryweekmyneighborcomestoseeme,andheisevenbetteroffthanIam. Hisroomsarelarge,andhewearssuchabeautifulblackvelvetcoat.