Once upon a time there lived moles. Little ones, in warm, smooth fur coats.
Underground they had a home ― a burrow, and also a pantry and tunnels ― underground passages through which from the burrow one could venture in all directions.
Mama Mole twitched her nose and thought: "Spring! A whole year has passed. Soon summer will come, and we will start going to the surface, enjoying fresh air and sun rays. I'll show the little ones how interesting it is there! And then autumn comes and winter again: cold, snow. We'll go deep underground again and sit in our soft burrow, lined with moss and grass".
Today marks thirty days since your birth, ― Mother Mole addressed her five little children. ― It's time to show you the way up, to the earth. We'll dig a tunnel there. We'll breathe in fresh spring air, feel the spring. We'll try some fresh vitamin-rich grass. And our supply of worms is running out.
But what is spring? ― asked one little one.
Spring is when it's warm, and the sun's rays heat the earth and everything around it, including us ― moles. In spring, nature awakens, and various insects come out of hibernation: worms, beetles, ants. That's our food. Green grass appears ― also a wonderful treat, ― explained mama. ― Well, enough talking. Get to work! We'll dig a tunnel in this direction. Dig, don't be lazy!
The whole family worked together, making their way closer and closer to the spring sun.
In a little while, you, children, will leave your home, ― continued Mother Mole. ― You'll go your own way and build new tunnels and burrows. So learn how to do it!
Mama, the earth is cold, ― complained the little daughter.
Never mind. Soon the sun will warm it, and it will become warm.
But what is the sun?
Although I see poorly, ― answered Mother Mole, ― I could make out: it's big, round, and warm long rays come from it.
But what are rays? ― asked another little one.
We'll go to the surface, and then you'll understand what they are.
Finally, the mole family poked their little heads out from under the earth.
How warm it is! How it smells so unusual! ― exclaimed the daughter. ― Mama, tell us a fairy tale about how Thumbelina almost married our Uncle Mole and how a bird stole her.
I've told you that a hundred times.
Oh, tell it again, ― the children asked in unison.
Alright, I'll tell it. Lie down on the earth and turn your bellies up. Let the sun warm you, and I'll tell you the fairy tale.
And Mother Mole spoke softly: "When Uncle Mole was visiting Aunt Fieldmouse ― a field mouse ― he saw a little girl. Not quite. He didn't see her, but heard her. He was blind, you see. She sang a cheerful song loudly and beautifully. Uncle Mole liked it very much, and he began visiting Fieldmouse every week.
Uncle had never been married and had no children. He wanted to take the little songstress as his wife.
Marry me, Thumbelina. I'll give you a fur coat just like mine. It's been lying in a chest for many years. It seems to be waiting for you. Although I'm blind and can't see you, Aunt told me how thin and pretty you are. I hear your voice, it's so clear. We'll live together. Fieldmouse says you eat little ― only half a grain of wheat. So my supplies will last us a long time. You'll tell me fairy tales, sing songs, and keep house. I'll feed you. Do you agree to be my wife?
She agrees, ― answered Fieldmouse. ― Only she'll prepare a dowry: she'll sew a white dress.
And now I invite you to visit, I'll show you my home.
Thumbelina said nothing and silently followed the mouse.
They walked through an underground tunnel, and came to visit the mole. The girl liked Uncle's home very much. He had a big house, chests full of furs, and storerooms full of food. Thumbelina began sewing herself a dress and preparing for the wedding.
She sewed all day long, and in the evening she would come out of the mouse's burrow to look at the sun and sky.
The wedding day arrived. Uncle came with his friends to fetch the bride and brought many gifts. Aunt said that Thumbelina was very beautiful: in a long white dress and a fluffy white veil.
Before the wedding, the bride wanted to look at the sun and breathe fresh air. After all, she would have to live in an underground house all winter.
Thumbelina went up, all so beautiful, and began to sing a cheerful song. Suddenly a little bird flew by, grabbed her, and carried her far, far away, and only Aunt Fieldmouse saw her go. After that, Uncle Mole never married and lived out his life alone".
But why didn't he find another bride? ― asked the son.
Many moles don't want to marry and live as hermits, ― answered Mother Mole and spread her paws. ― We've warmed ourselves in the sun, and now it's time for lunch. Look, earthworms have crawled out, grab them quickly before they hide!
The little moles had lunch and got ready to go home. One after another, they slowly crawled back to their burrow.
