Thumbelina was dizzy.
She was spinning around and around.
The world was upside-down.
Pete was gone.
Thumbelina screamed in surprise.
A big brown bug named Buzz had grabbed her.
"I can't believe my luck," said Buzz.
"I was just on my way home.
My sisters worry when I come home late."
Two of his six legs were around Thumbelina's waist.
"Oh no," whispered Thumbelina.
"Wow, this thing is so pretty!" said Buzz.
"I'll bet that bird was going to eat it.
Birds are nasty."
"He sure does talk a lot," Thumbelina said quietly to herself.
Finally Buzz landed on a branch high in a tree.
"I'm hungry," said Buzz, staring at Thumbelina with his big black eyes.
"Let's see what I can find to eat."
Buzz's wings popped out.
Then he buzzed away noisily.
"Here's my chance to escape," Thumbelina said.
She looked down.
It was too far to jump.
Suddenly she heard loud buzzing noises.
Thumbelina covered her ears.
Two big bugs landed on the branch.
They looked just like Buzz.
"Where's Buzz?" asked one.
"Who cares?" said the other.
"What's that thing doing in our tree?"
They moved closer to Thumbelina and stared.
Just then Buzz came back.
He was chewing on an oak leaf.
"Buzzilla! Buzzona! I'm back!" said Buzz.
"Where have you been?" asked Buzzona.
"Did you bring us any dinner?" asked Buzzilla.
"And what is this?" they asked together.
They pointed at Thumbelina.
"Isn't it pretty?" Buzz said proudly.
"I found it."
Buzzilla and Buzzona stared at Thumbelina.
"It doesn't have wings," sniffed Buzzona.
"How can it fly?"
"It doesn't have big eyes," frowned Buzzilla.
"How can it see well?"
Suddenly unsure, Buzz looked at Thumbelina again.
"But it's pretty," he said.
His sisters laughed.
"It has a tiny head," said one.
"And it only has two legs," said the other.
"Yes, I see what you mean," said Buzz, nodding.
"Buzz, forget about that thing," said Buzzona.
"You can't keep it."
"Let's go and get something to eat," said Buzzilla. "I'm hungry."
Buzz's sisters flew off.
"Excuse me." Thumbelina cleared her throat and spoke.
"It can talk!" cried Buzz, surprised.
Thumbelina sighed loudly.
"Yes, I can. And you've been very rude.
You can't keep me, you know."
"I know. Good-bye, then,"
said Buzz as he started to fly off.
"Wait!" cried Thumbelina.
"You can't just leave me here."
Buzz shrugged and flew Thumbelina to the ground.
He put her on a daisy.
Then he buzzed away.
Thumbelina was all alone.