Thumbelina Story Volume 1 | Page 8

deep, dark underground passageway. As they made their way along,
they passed a bird lying in the middle of the passageway.
”Pay no attention,” said Mr. Mole. ”This swallow had a broken
wing and took shelter here this morning. But she has not stirred all
day, and she has surely died.” The mole and field mouse hurried
on ahead, but Thumbelina lingered. She gently stroked the bird’s
feathers and laid her head against his side.
”I wonder if you are one of the swallows that sang to me during
the summer,” whispered Thumbelina.
Suddenly she felt the bird twitch. She realized he was just cold
and hurt, not dead at all. Thumbelina promised the bird that she
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Thumbelina Preschool Read-Aloud

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