Great Claus and little Claus
In a village there once lived two men of the same name. Both of them were called Claus. But because one of them owned four horses while the other had but one, people call …
Hans Christian Andersen
The section contains fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen.
Hans Christian Andersen, born April 2, 1805 in Odense, was a Danish writer and poet. Andersen died on August 4th, 1875 near Copenhagen, crowned with a worldwide fame. Between 1835 and 1872 he created over 150 fairy tales and stories, later translated into about 125 languages.
The Emperor’s new clothes
Many years ago there was an emperor who was so fond of new clothes that he spent all his money on them. He did not give himself any concern about his army; he cared nothi …
The Princess and the Pea or The Real Princess
There was once a prince who wanted to marry a princess. But she must be a real princess, mind you. So he traveled all round the world, seeking such a one, but everywhere …
Everything in its right place
More than a hundred years ago, behind the wood and by a deep lake, stood an old baronial mansion. Round it lay a deep moat, in which grew reeds and rushes, and close by t …
The Goblin and the Huckster
There was once a regular student, who lived in a garret and had no possessions. And there was also a regular huckster, to whom the house belonged, and who occupied the gr …
The Butterfly
There was once a butterfly who wished for a bride; and, as may be supposed, he wanted to choose a very pretty one from among the flowers. He glanced with a very critical …