The Toad
The Toad The well was deep, and therefore the rope was long; the wheel went around with difficulty when the waterfilled bucket had to be pulled up…
The Story of a Mother
The Story of a Mother A mother sat by her little child. She was so sad, so afraid he would die. The child's face was pallid. His little eyes were…
Pen and Inkstand
Pen and Inkstand In a poet's study, somebody made a remark as he looked at the inkstand that was standing on the table: "It's strange what can come…
The Marsh King’s Daughter
The Marsh King's Daughter The storks tell many, many stories to their young ones, all about the bogs and marshes. In general each story is suited to…
Nineteenth Evening
Nineteenth Evening "I looked down into a large theater," said the Moon. "The audience filled the house, for a new actor was making his first…
Sunshine Stories
Sunshine Stories "I'll tell you a story," said the wind. "Kindly remember," said the Rain, "that it's my turn to talk. You've been howling around…
The Ice Maiden
The Ice Maiden Let us visit Switzerland. Let us take a look at that magnificent land of mountains, where the forests creep up the sides of the steep…
The Neighboring Families
The Neighboring Families One would certainly think that something quite unusual had happened in the duckpond to cause such a commotion, but nothing…
The Metal Pig
The Metal Pig In the city of Florence, not far from the Piazza del Granduca, there is a little cross street which I think is called Porta Rossa. In…
What One Can Invent
What One Can Invent There was once a young man who studied to become a poet. He wanted to be a poet by next Easter, so that he could marry and earn…
Great-Grandfather
Great-Grandfather Great-Grandfather was so lovable, wise and good. All of us looked up to Great-Grandfather. As far back as I can remember, he was…
Thirty-second Evening
Thirty-second Evening The wind was stormy and cold; the clouds flew swiftly by. Only for a moment at a time could I see the Moon. "I looked down…
Anne Lisbeth
Anne Lisbeth Anne Lisbeth's complexion was like peaches and cream; her eyes were bright, her teeth shiny white; she was young, gay, and beautiful to…
Holger Danske
Holger Danske In Denmark there is an old castle named Kronborg. It lies on the coast of the Öresund, where hundreds of great ships pass through…
A Picture from the Ramparts
A Picture from the Ramparts It is autumn, and we are standing on the ramparts of the citadel, gazing at the ships on the sound and the distant coast…
The Wicked Prince
The Wicked Prince Once upon a time there was a proud and wicked prince who thought only about how he might conquer all the nations of the earth and…
Which Was the Happiest?
Which Was the Happiest? "Such lovely roses!" said the Sunshine. "And each bud will soon burst in bloom and be equally beautiful. These are my…
Aunty
Aunty You ought to have known Aunty; she was so lovely. And yet, to be more specific, she wasn't lovely in the usual sense of the word, but she was…
Tenth Evening
Tenth Evening "I once knew an old maid," said the Moon. "Every winter she wore a coat of yellow satin trimmed with fur, which always seemed new, and…
