Thumbelina and Genevieve
Chapter 3: The Wrong Girl; The Journey Begins
"What do you mean, 'She's not the right one'?"
Mrs. Toad was confused by her son, Grundel. She had gone all the way to that house; been chased by that awful dog and shrill-voiced girl… and she had kidnapped the wrong one?
"Take her back. I want Thumbelina." The Spanish toad said gruffly. He looked over and saw his two brother, Gringo and Mozo, looking over the, what he thought of as, 'Thumbelina look-alike.'
"What's your name?" Mozo asked, mostly looking at the shining rock on Genevieve's finger.
"What are your names?" she countered, not trusting them enough to reveal such information.
Mrs. Toad went over to the brunette and smiled. "We are the Singers de Espagna. These are my sons. Gringo, Mozo, and Grund-"
"You are not Thumbelina!" He said angrily to Genevieve. "Where is she?" She shrank back from him a little, scared by his gravely voice. What does he want with Thumbelina? It probably isn't good. She thought cautiously.
Genevieve stood up straight and decided to see what the toads wanted from her sister. "Who wants to know? What do you want with her?"
"I marry her! I love Thumbelina." He said proudly, as if the wedding was already planned. Genevieve gasped in horror. She knew her sister would be horrified if she had to marry a toad. She gathered up her bed and some nearby sticks and tree sap. She turned her little bed into a boat in just a few minutes.
"What do you think you're doing?" Mrs. Toad asked, watching the girl climb into the makeshift boat. Even if she wasn't the one Grundel wanted, she could still use her in their show.
"Going home. I have someone missing me." She said, thinking of Thumbelina. She pushed the boat into the water and waved good-bye to the toads.
Then, she shouted to Grundel. "Oh, and about Thumbelina… She wouldn't've wanted to marry you, anyway! Just find a kind lady toad and marry her! Give up on Thumbelina!" she said, meaning it more of a demand than a suggestion. She then turned her attention to steering the little home in the direction she hoped was home.
…
Back at the house, Cornelius and Christopher flew into the room and saw the place in shambles. Both boys gasped at the sight, then Cornelius went over to Hero, who was sitting down by the table and looking miserable. "What happened?"
Hero acted out Mrs. Toad snatching Genevieve's bed and taking her down the river. Christopher shook his head in disbelief. "She's been kidnapped? I have to find her!" he declared, hurrying over to Buzzby. Cornelius grabbed his shoulder. "Hold on, now. Where's Thumbelina?" he asked.
Hero shook his head and sighed sadly. He motioned with his fingers, someone walking, then he pointed out the window. "She followed after them? On foot?!" He was worried for Thumbelina. It was obvious that she hadn't many tracking skills. He let go of Chris's shoulder and walked with him over to Buzzby. "We'll bring them back, Hero. You stay here with their mother." He said. Then, Buzzby took off flying fast into the sky.
…
"Genevieve?!" Thumbelina called for her sister. She looked around and only saw grass and very tall trees. Everything was big enough back home and on their farm; things out here were much bigger. "Oh, Genny, where are you?" she wondered miserably. Maybe I should ask someone for help. Thumbelina thought as she walked over to a bird, who was taking a rest after a long morning flight. "Excuse me, sir?"
The bird looked at her and smiled. "Bonjour! And, how are you this fine morning?" the French sparrow asked politely in greeting.
"Well, I'm managing." Thumbelina sighed, still deeply concerned for her sister.
"What is the matter, Mademoiselle..?" he hesitated, not knowing her name.
"Thumbelina."
"Thumbelina. Well, I am Jacquimo. But, what is wrong?" Jacquimo asked.
Thumbelina wiped her eyes and took a breath to steady herself. "My sister was stolen away, and I'm not sure where to look for her. Could you help me, Jacquimo? Please?" she asked kindly.
Jacquimo clicked his tongue a few times in pity. The poor girl had just wandered into the middle of nowhere in search of her sister. He knew he'd do the same for someone he cared for. "Of course, Thumbelina!" he said, making Thumbelina smile and thank him. Then, he stretched out his wings and flattened them so Thumbelina could get on his back. "We'll search for her together."
…
Genevieve had been floating along the river for a long time, and she didn't even know if she was headed the right way. She watched the bugs and creatures of the forest as she passed by them. When they waved or smiled or said 'hello', she was polite to them and did the same. She was still worried about the toads… and Thumbelina. Maybe she was back home, telling Cornelius and Christopher what had—
Christopher! The princes! She'd completely forgotten. "Oh, no! They must be worried sick about me! I gotta get home." Suddenly, the current sped up, causing Genevieve to lose her balance and fall back into the bed. She looked and saw a waterfall a few feet ahead of her little boat.
She tried to get back up again, but the swaying and rocking of the boat kept knocking her over. As the waterfall got closer, she tried harder and harder to get back onto her feet. "Help! Someone, please!" she shouted, still attempting to stand upright. She closed her eyes as she felt the boat plunge forward.
Just then, she felt something grasp her shoulders and fly her off somewhere. She slowly opened her eyes and saw a moth carrying her somewhere. She looked back down toward the waterfall to see her bed crashing down. She glanced back up at the moth. "T-thank you. Who are you?" she asked. The moth didn't speak. Rather, he made a series of clicks and hisses. Genevieve couldn't understand what he was saying, but decided she'd have to ask about it later. She felt so weak from panicking; she could feel herself drifting off to sleep.
…
As Jacquimo and Thumbelina flew through the sky, Jacquimo decided to try and make some conversation to lighten the mood. "So, Thumbelina? What is your sister like?" he asked.
Thumbelina smiled. "She's the nicest person you could ever meet. She's kind and caring. But, she can be a little skittish and frightful sometimes, especially around new people… except Prince Christopher. She took an instant liking to him. I think they're just meant to be together." As she spoke, Thumbelina continued to look around, hoping to see her sister somewhere. "I hope she's okay…"
"I'm certain she's fine. After all, she's your sister, isn't she?" Jacquimo said, making Thumbelina feel a little better.
"Yeah…"
Jacquimo stumbled a bit. "C-could we pause a moment? My wings, they're so sore."
"Of course, Jacquimo." Thumbelina said. They landed in a clear patch so Jacquimo could rest.
…
Meanwhile, Christopher and Cornelius were busy flying around, asking every person they passed whether they had seen either sister. Each time, they received a 'no.' Christopher decided to fly over to a boat nearby. "Excuse me," he called, landing on the platform of the boat, "but, I was hoping someone would be able to tell me where a young woman is."
Just then, Mrs. Toad peeked through the curtains and gasped. She went back behind them, much to the prince's confusion. Her three sons looked at her and asked, "Who's there?" She smiled, hoping that Prince Christopher has there for a show. "It's a prince! Get ready for the show, boys. We need the money."
Mozo rolled his eyes. "Mama, he said he's looking for a girl."
"No doubt the one Mama snatched." Gringo added, causing both toads to laugh.
While the toads conversed, Cornelius flew down next to Christopher. "C'mon, Chris. We've gotta look for Thumbelina and Genevieve."
"I wanted to ask whoever lived here, but, they seem to be preoccupied." He said, getting ready to leave. Just as they turned to leave, Mrs. Toad rushed out. "Wait, wait! Won't you stay for a performance, your Highnesses?" she asked.
Cornelius politely shook his head. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but we're in a hurry. Maybe you could help us, though."
"We're looking for two young women. One has orange hair, the other has brown hair." Christopher said.
Mrs. Toad hummphed when she figured out who they were talking about. "Oh, her. The one with brown hair went down the river. Her sister… I don't know."
Christopher looked down toward where she said Genevieve went. "How long ago?"
"A long time ago. She probably half-way across the world by now." Mrs. Toad said.
Cornelius shook his head. "No, I'm sure she's all right. Come on, Chris. We need to find Thumbelina and Genevieve." With that, the two fairy princes flew off down the river.
Grundel stumbled out from behind the curtain at the sound of Thumbelina's name. He only caught a glimpse of Cornelius flying away. He fumed with raged. "I marry her! Thumbelina mine!"
Oh, dear...