(1835)
There was once a woman who wished very much to have a little child,
but she could not obtain her wish. At last she went to a fairy, and said, “I
should so very much like to have a little child; can you tell me where I can
find one?”
“Oh, that can be easily managed,” said the fairy. “Here is a barleycorn of
a different kind to those which grow in the farmer’s fields, and which the
chickens eat; put it into a flower-pot, and see what will happen.”
“Thank you,” said the woman, and she gave the fairy twelve shillings,
which was the price of the barleycorn. Then she went home and planted it,
and immediately there grew up a large handsome flower, something like a
tulip in appearance, but with its leaves tightly closed as if it were still a bud.
“It is a beautiful flower,” said the woman, and she kissed the red and
golden-colored leaves, and while she did so the flower opened, and she
could see that it was a real tulip. Within the flower, upon the green velvet
stamens, sat a very delicate and graceful little maiden. She was scarcely half
as long as a thumb, and they gave her the name of “Thumbelina,” or Tiny,
because she was so small. A walnut-shell, elegantly polished, served her for
a cradle; her bed was formed of blue violet-leaves, with a rose-leaf for a
