Hans Andersen Stories [antikvár]

^THUMBELIHA A young wife was talking one day to a wise old woman who was really a fairy. "Oh, I do wish I had a little child of my own," she sighed. "Take this barley corn," said the wise woman, "sow it in a plant pot and you shall see what you shall see!" "Thank you," said the young wife and she went home and put the barley corn in a pot, just as the wise woman had told her. Almost at once a plant began to grow. It became taller and taller and, at last, a beautiful bud appeared. "What a lovely flower", cried the young woman and she kissed the folded petals. Then the flower opened and there in the centre sat a tiny little girl. The woman was delighted. "I will call her ThumbeUna," she decided, "for she is scarcely taller than my thumb. I will make her a cradle from a walnut shell with flower petals for sheets."