Thumbelina (3)

Thumbelina (3)

In the evenings, the field mouse's neighbor often came to call.
He was tiresome old mole.

" But his house is even snugger than mine, the mouse said,
" and he wears such a lovely black velvet coat. If only you could get him for a husband, you'd be well off indeed."

Thumbelina had no intention of marrying the mole. He could't bear the sunshine and flowers that Thumbelina loved so much, and he said all sorts of rude things about them.

One day, in the long passage to the mole's house, Thumbelina found a bird.
It was a swallow, numb with cold and almost dead.

She wove a fine blanket of hay for the swallow and covered him with it.
She brought him water in the petal of a flower and took care of him all winter long.

When she was not caring for a swallow, Thumbelina spent her time spinning and weaving her trousseau, with the help of spiders.

For the tiresome mole had proposed to her, and the mouse decided they should be married soon.

Poor Thumbelina !

She grew sadder and sadder as the wedding day drew near. She would have to say good-bye to the sun and the flowers, since the mole did not care for them.

When spring arrived, Thumbelina opened a hole in the roof of the passage, and the swallow stepped out into the sunshine.

How happy the swallow was to be free !

But Thumbelina was not happy at all. she is suppsed to marry the mole tomorrow. It's her wedding day.
She watched him with tears in her eyes.

(つづく　3/5)

タグ：やさしい英語 Thumbelina