Outsideinthebrookgrewmanywater-lilies，withbroadgreenleaves，whichlookedasiftheywereswimmingaboutonthewater。
Theleaffarthestawaywasthelargest，andtothistheoldtoadswamwithThumbelinainherwalnut-shell。
ThetinyThumbelinawokeupveryearlyinthemorning，andwhenshesawwhereshewasshebegantocrybitterly；foroneverysideofthegreatgreenleafwaswater，andshecouldnotgettotheland。
Theoldtoadwasdownunderthemarsh，decoratingherroomwithrushesandyellowmarigoldleaves，tomakeitverygrandforhernewdaughter-in-law；thensheswamoutwithheruglysontotheleafwhereThumbelinalay。ShewantedtofetchtheprettycradletoputitintoherroombeforeThumbelinaherselfcamethere。
Theoldtoadbowedlowinthewaterbeforeher，andsaid:’Hereismyson；youshallmarryhim，andliveingreatmagnificencedownunderthemarsh。’