Thumbelina

“There was a woman who greatly desired to have a child to love and care for, but she had none.”

“She went to see a fairy. “Do you know where I can get a tiny child to love and care for?” she asked.”

” “Oh yes,” said the fairy. “Take this barleycorn. Place it in a flower pot. Watch what happens.” “

“The woman thanked the fairy and hurried home with the barleycorn. She planted it in a flower pot. In the morning, large tulips with their petals still closed were growing in the pot.”

“Through the window shone the rays of the sun, and as the sun warmed the tulips, their petals pushed open. In the center of the largest tulip sat a tiny little girl. She was smaller than her thumb, and so the woman called her Thumbelina.”