The creeks rushed as fast as possible down to the rivers, and the rivers did their utmost to carry the water to Lake Maelar.

All the lakes and rivers in Uppland and the mining district quickly threw off their ice covers on one and the same day, so that the creeks filled with ice-floes which rose clear up to their banks.

Swollen as they were, they emptied into Lake Maelar, and it was not long before the lake had taken in as much water as it could well hold.  Down by the outlet was a raging torrent.  Norrstroem is a narrow channel, and it could not let out the water quickly enough.  Besides, there was a strong easterly wind that lashed against the land, obstructing the stream when it tried to carry the fresh water into the East Sea.  Since the rivers kept running to Maelaren with more water than it could dispose of, there was nothing for the big lake to do but overflow its banks.

It rose very slowly, as if reluctant to injure its beautiful shores; but as they were mostly low and gradually sloping, it was not long before the water had flooded several acres of land, and that was enough to create the greatest alarm.

Lake Maelar is unique in its way, being made up of a succession of narrow fiords, bays, and inlets.  In no place does it spread into a storm centre, but seems to have been created only for pleasure trips, yachting tours, and fishing.  Nowhere does it present barren, desolate, wind-swept shores.  It looks as if it never thought that its shores could hold anything but country seats, summer villas, manors, and amusement resorts.  But, because it usually presents a very agreeable and friendly appearance, there is all the more havoc whenever it happens to drop its smiling expression in the spring, and show that it can be serious.

At that critical time Smirre Fox happened to come sneaking through a birch grove just north of Lake Maelar.  As usual, he was thinking of Thumbietot and the wild geese, and wondering how he should ever find them again.  He had lost all track of them.

As he stole cautiously along, more discouraged than usual, he caught sight of Agar, the carrier-pigeon, who had perched herself on a birch branch.

“My, but I’m in luck to run across you, Agar!” exclaimed Smirre.  “Maybe you can tell me where Akka from Kebnekaise and her flock hold forth nowadays?”

“It’s quite possible that I know where they are,” Agar hinted, “but I’m not likely to tell you!”

“Please yourself!” retorted Smirre.  “Nevertheless, you can take a message that I have for them.  You probably know the present condition of Lake Maelar?  There’s a great overflow down there and all the swans who live in Hjaelsta Bay are about to see their nests, with all their eggs, destroyed.  Daylight, the swan-king, has heard of the midget who travels with the wild geese and knows a remedy for every ill.  He has sent me to ask Akka if she will bring Thumbietot down to Hjaelsta Bay.”