Pete began his story.
"I remember pulling you on that lily pad.
Then suddenly you were gone.
I thought you fell into the water."
"A bug named Buzz grabbed me," Thumbelina explained.
"But never mind.
Go on with your story."
"The lily pad was still hanging from my leg," said Pete.
"I was looking for you by the stream.
The lily pad got caught between some stones.
And I tried and tried to pull it free.
But the lily pad was stuck.
I couldn't move.
I had nothing to eat for a few days.
Finally some friends found me.
They pecked the lily pad to pieces.
But no one could untie the string.
By then it was time for us to fly south."
"Then why are you still here?" said Thumbelina.
"I couldn't go.
I couldn't keep up," said Pete.
"I was weak, so the string felt heavy.
My friends had to leave me.
I was able to keep going alone for a while.
One day my wings wouldn't carry me and I fell.
When I opened my eyes again, I saw you."
"It's my fault," cried Thumbelina.
"No, it's not," said Pete.
"We're friends.
And friends help each other, right?
So thank you for helping me, Thumbelina."
"You're welcome," Thumbelina said shyly.
"Now that you're better, we need to make a plan."
"I'm still a little weak," Pete said.
Thumbelina pointed to the hole above them.
"Can you get through there?"
Pete looked unsure. "I don't know . . ."
"Can you move your wings?" asked Thumbelina.
"I'm still so cold," said Pete.
"But I think I can move them a little."
As they discussed their plan, someone was watching them.
Mrs. Gray had come down the tunnel looking for Thumbelina.
"Thumbelina! What are you doing here?" screamed the mouse.
"Get away from that awful animal!"
"Don't talk about Pete like that," said Thumbelina.
Then another shape appeared on the other side of the tunnel.
It was Mr. Rufus.
"What's going on here?" he demanded.
"It's alive, Mr. Rufus," cried Mrs. Gray.
"That bird is not dead!"
"What?" Mr. Rufus said, shaking his head.
"Well, never mind.
It won't be alive for long."
"What do you mean?" asked Thumbelina.
"Slim's coming," said Mr. Rufus, looking up.
"I told him to meet me here."
Suddenly the ground above them began to shake.
Dirt fell on their heads.
The coyote had arrived.
And he was sniffing around.