opened the hole in the ceiling which the mole had made. The sun shone in
upon them so beautifully, that the swallow asked her if she would go with
him; she could sit on his back, he said, and he would fly away with her into
the green woods. But Tiny knew it would make the field-mouse very
grieved if she left her in that manner, so she said, “No, I cannot.”
“Farewell, then, farewell, you good, pretty little maiden,” said the
swallow; and he flew out into the sunshine.
Tiny looked after him, and the tears rose in her eyes. She was very fond
of the poor swallow.
“Tweet, tweet,” sang the bird, as he flew out into the green woods, and
Tiny felt very sad. She was not allowed to go out into the warm sunshine.
The corn which had been sown in the field over the house of the field-
mouse had grown up high into the air, and formed a thick wood to Tiny,
who was only an inch in height.
“You are going to be married, Tiny,” said the field-mouse. “My neighbor
has asked for you. What good fortune for a poor child like you. Now we
will prepare your wedding clothes. They must be both woollen and linen.
Nothing must be wanting when you are the mole’s wife.”
Tiny had to turn the spindle, and the field-mouse hired four spiders, who
were to weave day and night. Every evening the mole visited her, and was
continually speaking of the time when the summer would be over. Then he
would keep his wedding-day with Tiny; but now the heat of the sun was so
great that it burned the earth, and made it quite hard, like a stone. As soon,
as the summer was over, the wedding should take place. But Tiny was not at
all pleased; for she did not like the tiresome mole. Every morning when the
sun rose, and every evening when it went down, she would creep out at the
door, and as the wind blew aside the ears of corn, so that she could see the
blue sky, she thought how beautiful and bright it seemed out there, and
wished so much to see her dear swallow again. But he never returned; for
by this time he had flown far away into the lovely green forest.
