They went flying along, and presently Tina heard the rushing of wings behind, and she saw they were joined by four birds; one of them flew close by Tina. “I wonder if I am a bird?” thought she. “I believe I will ask. Am I a bird?” she said.
“What a question!” answered the bird; “as if you didn’t know. How could you fly, if you were not a bird?”
“I might be a butterfly,” said Tina.
“So you might,” said the bird. “I never thought of that; but you are not, all the same.”
“Then, I suppose I must be a bird,” thought Tina. “I am glad I know.”
It was delightful to go skimming along through the air, and Tina came to the conclusion that to be a bird was better than to be a little girl.
“Where are we going?” she asked the bird, who was flying by her side.
“No one but the butterfly knows,” said the bird.
Pretty soon they came to a forest. “I can go no further with you,” said the butterfly. “I must go find the rose before its petals drop. If you reach the snow in time, turn around and come back! I will be there.”