Explore "The Butterfly" by Hans Christian Andersen on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The butterfly wished to procure a bride for himself -- of course, one of the flowers -- a pretty little one. He looked about him. Each one sat quietly and thoughtfully on her stalk, as a young maiden should sit, when she is not affianced; but there were many of them, and it was a difficult matter to choose amongst them. The butterfly could not make up his mind; so he flew to the daisy. The French call her _Marguerite_; they know that she can tell fortunes, and she does this when lovers pluck off leaf after leaf and ask her at each one a question about the beloved one: "How does he love me? -- With all his heart? -- With sorrow? -- Above all? -- Can not refrain from it? -- Quite secretly? -- A little bit? -- Not at all? " -- or questions to the same import. Each one asks in his own language.
The butterfly flew towards her and questioned her; he did not pluck off the leaves, but kissed each separate one, thinking that by so doing, he would make himself more agreeable to the good creature.