She tied herself firmly
with her little sash to the strongest feather of the bird.
And the swallow soared high into the air. High above forests and
lakes, high above the big mountains that were crested with snow, he
soared.
And little Thumbelina shivered as she felt the cold air, but soon she
crept under the bird's warm feathers, and only pushed out her little
head to see the beauty all around her.
They had reached the warm countries now. The sun was more brilliant
here, the flowers more radiant.
On and on flew the swallow, till he came to a white marble palace.
Half-ruined it was, and vine leaves trailed up the long slender
pillars. And among the broad, green leaves many a swallow had built
his nest, and one of these nests belonged to Thumbelina's little
swallow.
"This is my home," said the bird, "but you shall live in one of
these brilliant flowers, in the loveliest of them all'."
And little Thumbelina clapped her hands with joy.
The swallow flew with her to a stately sunflower, and set her
carefully on one of the broad yellow petals.
But think, what was her surprise! In the very heart of the flower
stood a little Prince, fair and transparent as crystal.
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