"Yes, well say that, as clever man ! " exclaimed the field-mouse, " the use twittering, for when winter comes either starve or be frozen to death Still birds are very high bred "

Tiny said nothing; but two others had turned their backs bird, she stooped down and stroked aside the soft feathers which covered the head, and kissed the closed eyelids "Perhaps the one who sang so sweetly summer," she said; "and pleasure it , you dear, pretty bird "

The mole now stopped up the hole through which the daylight shone, and then accompanied the lady home But during the night Tiny sleep; so she got out of bed and wove large, beautiful carpet of hay; then she carried it dead bird, and spread it over him; with some down flowers which she had found field-mouse's room as soft as wool, and she spread some of it on each side bird, he might lie warmly cold earth "Farewell, you pretty little bird," said she, "farewell; delightful singing during the summer, when all the trees were green, warm sun shone upon us Then she laid her head bird's breast, but she was alarmed immediately, seemed something inside the bird went "thump, thump " It bird's heart; not really dead, only benumbed cold, warmth had restored him to life In autumn, all the swallows fly away into warm countries, but if one happens to linger, the cold seizes it, it becomes frozen, and falls down dead; it remains where it fell, cold snow covers it Tiny trembled ; she was quite frightened, bird was large, great deal larger than herself,- she was only an inch high But she took courage, laid the wool more thickly over the poor swallow, and then took leaf which she had used for her own counterpane, and laid it over the head poor bird The next morning she again stole out him alive but very weak; only open his eyes for moment to look at Tiny, who stood by holding piece of decayed wood in her hand, for she had no other lantern " , pretty little maiden," said the sick swallow; " so nicely warmed, that soon regain my strength, and to fly about again warm sunshine "

"Oh," said she, " cold out of doors now; it snows and freezes Stay in your warm bed; take care of you "

Then she brought the swallow some water in flower-leaf, and after he had drank, her that he had wounded one wings in thorn-bush, and fly as fast others, who were soon far away on their journey to warm countries Then at last he had fallen earth, and could remember no more, nor how where she had found him The whole winter the swallow remained underground, and Tiny nursed him with care and love Neither the mole nor the field-mouse knew anything , for like swallows the spring time came, sun warmed the earth Then the swallow bade farewell to Tiny, and she opened the hole ceiling which the mole had made The sun shone in upon them so beautifully, swallow asked her if go ; sit back, , and fly away with her green woods But Tiny knew it would field-mouse very grieved if she left her manner, so she said, "No, "

"Farewell, then, farewell, you good, pretty little maiden," said the swallow; and he flew out sunshine

Tiny looked after him, tears rose in her eyes She was very fond poor swallow

"Tweet, tweet," sang the bird, as he flew out green woods, and Tiny felt very sad She was not allowed out warm sunshine The corn which sown field over the house field-mouse had grown up high air, and formed thick wood to Tiny, who was only an inch in height

" going married, Tiny," said the field-mouse "My neighbor has asked What good fortune for poor child like you Now prepare your wedding clothes both woollen and linen Nothing wanting the mole's wife "

Tiny had the spindle, field-mouse hired four spiders, who were to weave day and night Every evening the mole visited her, and was continually speaking time summer over Then keep his wedding-day with Tiny; but now the heat sun was so great burned the earth, and made it quite hard, like stone As soon, summer was over, the wedding should take place But Tiny was not at all pleased; for she like the tiresome mole Every morning sun rose, and every evening when it went down, creep out door, and wind blew aside the ears of corn, she the blue sky, she thought how beautiful and bright it seemed out there, and wished her dear swallow again But he never returned; for he had flown far away lovely green forest

When autumn arrived, Tiny had her outfit quite ready; field-mouse said to her, "In four weeks the wedding must take place "

Then Tiny wept, and said not marry the disagreeable mole

"Nonsense," replied the field-mouse "Now don't be obstinate, or bite you with my white teeth very handsome mole; the queen herself wear more beautiful velvets and furs His kitchen and cellars are quite full You very thankful for such good fortune "

So the wedding-day was fixed, the mole was to fetch Tiny away to live , deep under the earth, and never again the warm sun, because like it The poor child was very unhappy thought of saying farewell beautiful sun, and field-mouse had given her permission to stand door, she went to look at it once more

"Farewell bright sun," she cried, stretching out her arm towards it; and then she walked short distance house; corn cut, and only the dry stubble remained fields "Farewell, farewell," she repeated, twining her arm round little red flower that grew just by her side "Greet the little swallow from me, if see him again "

"Tweet, tweet," sounded over her head suddenly She looked up, and the swallow himself flying close by he spied Tiny, delighted; and then she told him how unwilling she felt to marry the ugly mole, and to live always beneath the earth, and never the bright sun any more And as she told him she wept

"Cold winter is coming," said the swallow, "and going to fly away into warmer countries go with me ? sit on my back, and fasten yourself on with your sash Then fly away ugly mole gloomy rooms,- far away, over the mountains, into warmer countries, where the sun shines more brightly- than here; where always summer, flowers bloom in greater beauty Fly now with me, dear little Tiny; you saved my life when I lay frozen dark passage "

"Yes, go ," said Tiny; and she seated herself bird's back, with her feet outstretched wings, and tied her girdle to one strongest feathers

Then the swallow rose air, and flew over forest and over sea, high above the highest mountains, covered with eternal snow Tiny frozen cold air, but she crept under the bird's warm feathers, keeping her little head uncovered, she might admire the beautiful lands over which they passed they reached the warm countries, where the sun shines brightly, sky seems higher above the earth Here, hedges, and wayside, grew purple, green, and white grapes; lemons and oranges hung from trees woods; air was fragrant with myrtles and orange blossoms Beautiful children ran along the country lanes, playing with large gay butterflies; and swallow flew farther and farther, every place appeared still more lovely

At last they came to blue lake, and side of it, shaded by trees deepest green, stood palace of dazzling white marble, built olden times Vines clustered round its lofty pillars, and top were many swallows' nests, and home swallow who carried Tiny

" my house," said the swallow; "but it do to live there- comfortable choose one lovely flowers, put you down upon it, and then everything that wish you happy "

" delightful," she said, and clapped her little hands for joy

large marble pillar lay ground, which, in falling, broken into three pieces pieces grew the most beautiful large white flowers; so the swallow flew down with Tiny, and placed her on broad leaves But how surprised she was middle flower, tiny little man, as white and transparent he made of crystal ! He had gold crown head, and delicate wings at his shoulders, and was not much larger than Tiny herself He angel flower; for tiny man and tiny woman dwell in every flower; and the king all

"Oh, how beautiful ! " whispered Tiny swallow

The little prince was at first quite frightened bird, who was like giant, compared to such delicate little creature as himself; but when Tiny, delighted, and thought her the prettiest little maiden he had ever seen the gold crown head, and placed it on hers, and asked her name, and if be his wife, and queen over all the flowers

This certainly was very different sort of husband son of toad, or the mole, with my black velvet and fur; so she said, "Yes," handsome prince Then all the flowers opened, and out of each came little lady or tiny lord, all so pretty quite pleasure to look at them Each brought Tiny present; but the best gift was pair of beautiful wings, which had belonged to large white fly fastened them to Tiny's shoulders, she might fly from flower to flower Then much rejoicing, little swallow who sat above them, nest, was asked to sing wedding song, which as ; but heart sad for very fond of Tiny, and liked never to part from her again

" not be called Tiny any more," said the spirit flowers to her " an ugly name, and so very pretty call you Maia "

"Farewell, farewell," said the swallow, with heavy heart as he left the warm countries to fly back into Denmark There he had nest over the window of house dwelt the writer of fairy tales The swallow sang, "Tweet, tweet," and song came the whole story

THE END