She told him how unwilling she was to marry the ugly mole , as then she had to live underground where the sun never shone , and she could not help bursting into tears . ` The cold winter is coming now , ' said the swallow . ' I must fly away to warmer lands : will you come with me ? You can sit on my back , and we will fly far away from the ugly mole and his dark house , over the mountains , to the warm countries where the sun shines more brightly than here , where it is always summer , and there are always beautiful flowers . Do come with me , dear little Thumbelina , who saved my life when I lay frozen in the dark tunnel ! ' ` Yes , I will go with you , ' said Thumbelina , and got on the swallow 's back , with her feet on one of his outstretched wings . Up he flew into the air , over woods and seas , over the great mountains where the snow is always lying . And if she was cold she crept under his warm feathers , only keeping her little head out to admire all the beautiful things in the world beneath . At last they came to warm lands ; there the sun was brighter , the sky seemed twice as high , and in the hedges hung the finest green and purple grapes ; in the woods grew oranges and lemons : the air was scented with myrtle and mint , and on the roads were pretty little children running about and playing with great gorgeous butterflies . But the swallow flew on farther , and it became more and more beautiful . Under the most splendid green trees besides a blue lake stood a glittering white-marble castle . Vines hung about the high pillars ; there were many swallows ' nests , and in one of these lived the swallow who was carrying Thumbelina . ` Here is my house ! ' said he . ` But it wo n't do for you to live with me ; I am not tidy enough to please you . Find a home for yourself in one of the lovely flowers that grow down there ; now I will set you down , and you can do whatever you like . ' ` That will be splendid ! ' said she , clapping her little hands . There lay a great white marble column which had fallen to the ground and broken into three pieces , but between these grew the most beautiful white flowers . The swallow flew down with Thumbelina , and set her upon one of the broad leaves .
But there , XXXXX her astonishment , she found a tiny little man sitting in the middle of the flower , as white and transparent as if he were made of glass ; he had the prettiest golden crown on his head , and the most beautiful wings on his shoulders ; he himself was no bigger than Thumbelina .
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