Дюймовочка

           Ifyoucouldonlygethimforahusbandyouwouldbewelltakencareof,buthecan’tseeanything. Youmusttellhimtheverybeststoriesyouknow." 

           Thumbelinadidnotlikethissuggestion. Shewouldnotevenconsidertheneighbor,becausehewasamole. Hepaidthemavisitinhisblackvelvetcoat.Thefieldmousetalkedabouthowwealthyandwisehewas,andhowhishomewasmorethantwentytimeslargerthanhers. Butforallofhisknowledgehecarednothingatallforthesunandtheflowers.Hehadnothinggoodtosayforthem,andhadneverlaideyesonthem.As 

           Thumbelinahadtosingforhim,shesang, "May-bug,May-bug,flyawayhome,"and"TheMonkgoesafield." Themolefellinlovewithhersweetvoice, buthedidn’tsayanythingaboutityet,forhewasamostdiscreetfellow. 

           Hehadjustdugalongtunnelthroughthegroundfromhishousetotheirs,andthefieldmouseandThumbelinawereinvitedtouseitwhenevertheypleased, thoughhewarnedthemnottobealarmedbythedeadbirdwhichlayinthispassage. Itwasacompletebird,withfeatherandbeak. Itmusthavediedquiterecently,whenwintersetin,anditwasburiedrightinthemiddleofthetunnel. 

           Themoletookinhismouthatorchofdecayedwood.Inthedarknessitglimmeredlikefire. Hewentaheadofthemtolightthewaythroughthelong,darkpassage. Whentheycametowherethedeadbirdlay, themoleputhisbroadnosetotheceilingandmadealargeholethroughwhichdaylightcouldfall.