Дюймовочка

           Thereoncewasawomanwhowantedsoverymuchtohaveatinylittlechild,butshedidnotknowwheretofindone. Soshewenttoanoldwitch,andshesaid: 

           "Ihavesetmyheartuponhavingatinylittlechild. PleasecouldyoutellmewhereIcanfindone?" 

           "Why,that’seasilydone,"saidthewitch. "Here’sagrainofbarleyforyou,butitisn’tatallthesortofbarleythatfarmersgrowintheirfieldsorthatthechickensgettoeat. Putitinaflowerpotandyou’llseewhatyoushallsee." 

           "Ohthankyou!"thewomansaid.Shegavethewitchtwelvepennies,andplantedthebarleyseedassoonasshegothome. Itquicklygrewintoafinelargeflower,whichlookedverymuchlikeatulip. Butthepetalswerefoldedtight,asthoughitwerestillabud. 

           "Thisissuchaprettyflower,"saidthewoman.Shekisseditslovelyredandyellowpetals, andjustasshekissedittheflowergavealoudpop!andflewopen. Itwasatulip,rightenough,butonthegreencushioninthemiddleofitsatatinygirl. Shewasdaintyandfairtosee,butshewasnotallerthanyourthumb.SoshewascalledThumbelina. 

           Anicelypolishedwalnutshellservedashercradle.Hermattresswasmadeofthebluepetalsofviolets,andarosepetalwaspulleduptocoverher. Thatwashowshesleptatnight. Inthedaytimesheplayedonatablewherethewomanputaplatesurroundedwithawreathofflowers. Theirstemslayinthewater,onwhichtherefloatedalargetulippetal.