Hans Christian Andersen's 200th Birthday

The official anniversary site.

http://www.hca2005.com/

Short stories by Hans Christian Anderson to read online

http://www.readprint.com/author-3/Hans-Christian-Andersen

I'm Hans Christian Andersen
I've many a tale to tell
And though I'm a cobbler, I'd say
I tell them rather well
I'll mend your shoes and I'll fix your boots
When I have a moment free
When I'm not other wise occupied
As a purple duck or a mountainside
Or a quarter after three
I'm Hans Christian Andersen, Andersen, that's me
I'm Hans Christian Andersen
I bring you a fable rare
There once was a table who said
Oh how I'd love a chair
And then and there came a sweet young chair
All dressed in a bridal gown
He said to her in a voice so true
Now I did not say I would marry you
But I would like to sit down
I'm Hans Christian Andersen, Andersen's in town
I write myself a note each day
And I place it in my hat
The wind comes by and the hat blows high
But that's not the end of that
For round and round the world it goes
It lands here right behind myself
I pick it up and I read the note
Which is merely to remind myself
I'm Hans Christian Andersen, Andersen, that's me
I'm Hans Christian Andersen
My pen's like a babbling brook
Permit me to show you, dear sir
My very latest book
Now here's a tale of a simple fool
Just glance at a page or two
You'll laugh ha, ha but you'll blush a bit
For you realize as you're reading it
That it's also reading you
I'm Hans Christian Andersen, Andersen, that's who
I'm Hans Christian Andersen
And this is an April day
It's full of the magic I need
To speed me on my way
My pocketbook has an empty look
And I limp on a lumpy shoe
Or if I wish I'm a flying fish
Or a millionaire with a rocking chair
And a dumpling in my stew
I'm Hans Christian Andersen, Andersen, that's who

http://www.readprint.com/work-15/Hans-Christian-Andersen




perfect for today's weather

Some of the stories have such mythic resonance, do they not?

I think of The Little Mermaid (not the dumb Disney bowdlerisation!!!), The Ugly Duckling, The Constant Tin Soldier - and yes, The Snow Queen - just off the top of my head.

Did he write The Red Shoes? That has been a symbol (by analysing and rebelling against it) of so much for me! Ie - that life IS to be enjoyed, and ecstasy is good - and don't let the frowners cut yer feet off!

Yes, The Red Shoes was an Andersen tale.

(it's available online in the link held in the 4th post here)

Some of the stories seem to have very different meaning for me now than they did 40 years ago.

I bet.

I have a lovely complete Andersen - I don't need no online stuff!!!!!

How has your interpretation changed, Beth?

He DOES tend to be a bit mawkish, no?


Hasn't "the Emperor has no clothes" been a fabulously useful metaphor, though?

Well, truthfully, I disagree with a lot of his 'morals of the story' now. A bit too much "God's will" going on.

I would not give these stories to children, I think. Or at least not without being sure that they would be able to read them more critically than I was.

Yes - I agree.

Still there they are, little jewels in one's consciousness.

ehBeth-0-

By reading HCA without mental defenses, the stories enter the mind and take root.

As a child I found it difficult to believe that any grownups could admire The Emperor's New Clothes--yet the notion of prejudiced, self-serving opinion made it easier for me to open my mouth and defy conventional wisdom.

Little 'somethings' all right.

Which is why they won't ever be a gift I give.

I still like the stories, as stories - kind of like "bible stories".

I read The Snow Queen as an innocent and impressionable child--and felt it a little wordy--but during my divorce from the first Mr. Noddy the image of the icicle in Kay's heart was a great clarifier.

The Complete Andersen - via A2K Portal.

Nope, Im completely unable to think Hans Christian Anderson without thinking of Danny Kaye...Inch wooorm,inch wormmmm..