A girl no bigger than her mother's thumb feels all alone in the world knowing she is the only person her size. Her wish for a companion at last comes true when the prince of the faerys arrives at her window sill. However, the niave Thumbelina's life goes downward from there when a toad kidnaps her. While she tries to find a way home, she begins to grow up and learns about hope with the help of the friends she always wanted.

Mother:
Now, here is the story of the noble dog, who saved the king from the wicked wizard. Once upon a time...


Thumbelina:
Oh, mother, please. Are there any stories about... about little people?


Mother:
Well, as a matter of fact, there are, Thumbelina. Look.

[lifts her on to the book, which is opened to a picture of fairies]


Thumbelina:
Why, they are little! Just like me!

[points to wings]


Thumbelina:
But... but what are those?


Mother:
Those are wings, Thumbelina. These are fairies and fairies have wings so they can fly.


Thumbelina:
Mother, have you ever seen a fairy?


Mother:
Well, I thought I did once.


Thumbelina:
Really?


Mother:
[laughs] Yes.

[puts reading glass on to picture to magnify the image]


Mother:
And here, the fairy prince and princess are having a wedding.


Thumbelina:
And they live... happily ever after!


Mother:
[smiles] Usually, my dear.


Thumbelina:
[crawls under glasses so she is by the picture of the prince] I... suppose it works best if two people are about... the same size.


Mother:
[unsure] Yes, of course.


Thumbelina:
[crawls out from underneath the glasses] Well... well, that's not fair. I... I must be the only little person in the world. I wish I were big.


Mother:
Oh, no, Thumbelina. No. Don't ever wish to be anything but what you are.

Lyrics by Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman
Music by Barry Manilow
Arranged and Produced by Barry Manilow
Performed by Gary Imhoff and Jodi Benson