Grandmother
by H. C. Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Grandmother is old, kind, and she knows many stories. Between the pages of her psalter can be found a pressed withered rose that she often regards with a smile on her lips. Do you know why?
The Snow Queen
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
One day, a diabolical troll made a mirror that showed everything beautiful as ugly and all that was good as evil. Delighted, the trolls decided to carry their mirror to heaven and mock the angels, but on the way the mirror shattered and pieces of the mirror spread across the world. This was how some became windows and others were made into spectacles, but the most unfortunate received tiny pieces in their eyes or in their heart, changing their life for ever. That is what happened to little Kay, to the great chagrin of his neighbour, Gerda, and this is how he crossed the path of the Snow Queen.
The Fir Tree
by H. C. Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
In the middle of the wood is a little fir tree who thinks of one thing only – growing bigger. He takes no pleasure from life because he always thinks about how he is not as big as the other fir trees. So, when the little fir tree finally grows up, Christmas approaches and his destiny is turned upside down.
Tales About Truth
by H. C. Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
What is truth? What better way to learn about the topic of truth than through the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen? The storyline of these fairy tales offers a wonderful platform to think about and discuss truth and its ethical and moral aspects. A collection for the curious and empathetic young and adult readers, who would like to dive into the magical world of the beloved author.
Contains the following fairy tales:
- The Emperor's New Clothes
- The Snow Queen
- Clumsy Hans
The Elf Mound
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
The lizards were complaining about all the noise coming from the Elfin Hill. Rumour said that the elves were expecting guests, strangers. They were preparing a great ball.
The Elder-Tree Mother
by H. C. Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
A little boy who had caught a cold after getting his feet wet, drank an elder infusion that his mother had prepared to warm him up and his grandfather told him the story of the Little Elder-Tree Mother.
In the Duck Yard
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
One day a Portuguese duck arrived at the duck house. Some said she came from Spain, but from then on all her descendants were called 'Portuguese'. Today, there is only one Portuguese duck at the duck house – and it is she who takes care of the song bird who fell from the roof while the cat was chasing it...
Luck May Lie in a Pin
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
To every child born, God offers a gift – this gift is not placed in their cradle, but in a secret place, where no one would dream of looking for it. So, this gift can be found in many different places, even in a simple stick...
The Beetle
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
On the day that the emperor's horse received his golden horseshoes as a reward for his heroic deeds, the beetle who shared his stable was very jealous. The smith refused to make shoes for his little feet and the beetle's anger went up a notch. So, furious, he left the stable and set off to discover the world alone.
The Story of a Mother
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
A child is gravely ill and his mother has already spent three nights at his bedside. Then, a strange man knocks on the door and she bids him enter to shelter from the cold. But, it was death himself at the door and he made the most of the mother falling asleep to steal her son. So, she decided to go after him.
The Child in the Grave
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
He had been ill a long time and God came for him – the parents and sisters of the little four-year-old boy who had died were inconsolable. No chagrin was greater than that of the boy's mother, yet she found some consolation at her son's grave...
The Nightcap of the "Pebersvend"
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
A long time ago, in Copenhagen, there lived an old bachelor who lived alone in a small shack and always slept with a nightcap that he pulled well down over his face. People laughed at his strange attire. However, there was a story behind this nightcap and, if it had been widely know, they would have mocked him less.
Five Peas From a Pod
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
There were five peas in a pod: they held their line and waited for the moment to leave. For them, everything was green: they were green and their world, which was limited to their pod, was green as well. They were impatient to discover something other than this green world and were curious to find out who would go furthest in the world...
The Wicked Prince
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Once upon a time there was a prince without pity: he wanted to be the strongest and sent armies of soldiers to destroy villages and stop other kings, he even got it into his head to prove that he was worth more than God... Little did he know where this arrogance would lead him!
The Bell Deep
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
All the local children knew the river Odense and they all knew about the bell that could be found there. A long time ago, the bell, being tired, had fallen from its beam and had landed in the river, at the place, which is known today as the Bell-Deep. They say that when it rings, it tells stories of ancient times to the River Man... Could it be true?
The Rose Elf
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
In the rose bush in the middle of the garden lived a tiny elf, she was so small that it was impossible to see her with the naked eye. Behind each rose petal hides a room and the elf spent her days exploring the garden. At the bottom of the garden was a house where one day she saw a charming young woman, her lover and her evil brother. The tiny elf then found herself in the front row of a drama that would leave no one indifferent.
The Bottle Neck
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
In the tallest and poorest house in a very narrow winding street, was an attic with a single window. Behind this window, was a bird in a cage; the state of the house and the cage were so miserable that the bird did not even have a cup for drinking: he had to make do with the neck of a bottle closed with a stopper. The bird had no problem with this and sang joyfully – as for the bottle neck, he remembered the good old days when he was still a bottle...
Ib and Little Christine
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
In Gudenau, in the forest of Silkeborg, lived a farmer, Jeppe Jans, and his son, Ib. In winter, when there was nothing to do in the fields, Jeppe Jans made clogs and Ib tried to do the same. Not far away, lived the boatman and his daughter, Christina. She would often accompany her father on his travels by boat, but when the journey was too long and he did not want to take her, she stayed with Ib. It was then, during their early childhood, that their friendship began.
The Old Street Lamp
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
An old street lamp is at the end of its working life. It has had a long life and lots of people know it. So, friends come to visit on its last night on the job.
Aunty Toothache
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Aunt Mille has always told me that I have the soul of a great poet. I am not sure about this, but I love her so much that I do not dare contradict her. The reason I love her so much is that she always gave me and my brothers and sisters lots of sweets when we were little. Now that I am a student, I have my own apartment and sometimes Aunt Mille comes to visit. The other night, while she was sleeping in the next bedroom, I received a visit from another, much less pleasant, lady... Since then, I do not see Aunt Mille in the same way!
The Girl Who Trod on the Loaf
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Inger was a little girl but she was a bad person. This was obvious even when she was very small: she enjoyed catching insects and tearing off their wings without any pity for the poor creatures. When she was a bit bigger, her parents sent her to the country to a good family. Here, she became very refined and, going to visit her parents, decided to walk on her bread rather than in the marsh so she would not dirty her shoes. And this is where her real story begins...
The Galoshes of Fortune
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
The Galoshes of Fortune have the power of carrying the person who wears them instantly to any time and place they desire – but is this really a good thing?
Tales About Hope
by H. C. Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
What is hope? Hope shines through the fairy tales selected for this collection. Let Hans Christian Andersen enchant you and let your favourite characters teach you about what hope is and how to find it even at the darkest moments! A collection for the curious and empathetic young and adult readers.
Contains the following fairy tales:
- The Little March Girl
- The Nightingale
- The Flying Trunk
- The Swineherd
- The Wild Swans
The Farmyard Cock and the Weathercock
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
There were two cockerels on the farm: one lived in the henhouse and the other was a weather vane. Both thought they were better than the other, but what was the truth?
The Little Match Girl
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
This story, one of Andersen's best known, tells the tale of a poor little girl who was sent by her parents to sell matches in the street. It is Christmas Even and it is very cold, but she dare not return home empty-handed. Instead, to try and warm herself, she lights one match at a time, revealing an extraordinary, but ephemeral, world with each one.
The Red Shoes
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
There was once a poor little girl called Karen. In summer, she walked barefoot and in winter, she wore clogs that hurt her feet. She had no choice, it was all she had. Dame Shoemaker wanted to help her and sewed, as best she could, a pair of red shoes. When she wore them for the first time, Karen's life took an unexpected turn.
The Flax
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
The flax is flowering and has a happy future before him. He will grow, be gathered and transformed into beautiful fabric. He is very impatient, but he still has some lessons to learn, among them that which says we should be happy with what we have. Snip, snap, snurre, begins the song!
The Wild Swans
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
"Far from here, in the land the swallows flee to in winter, lived a king who had eleven sons and one daughter, Elisa."
So begins the story of Elisa and her brothers. At the beginning, everything was well, they lived peacefully in the castle and were loved and indulged by their father, the king. But, one day the king decided to remarry and their stepmother did not want them. None of them. Elisa was sent to the country and the eleven boys were turned into swans. The days and the years passed and Elisa grew up forgotten by the world, but she never forgot her brothers and she missed them terribly.
Holger Danske
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
In Denmark, there is an old castle called Kronborg. Situated on the coast, in summer boats come here from all over the world, but the reason for the castle's renown is hidden in its cellars. It is a statue of Holger Danske. Everyone in Denmark knows his history and the legend says that one day, the statue will come to life.
The Old Oak Tree's Last Dream
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
On the top of a cliff overlooking the sea was an oak tree that was 365 years old. It was an unimaginable age for the mayflies, tiny creatures who lived only one day. The oak only slept during the winter. The rest of the year, he remained alert. That year, like every year, he began to lose his leaves in autumn. He knew that he was about to go to sleep for the last time!
Little Claus and Big Claus
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
There were two men called Claus in the town. To tell them apart, one was called Big Claus, because he had four horses and the other, Little Claus, because he only had one horse. This is their story.
The Gardener and the Noble Family
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Larsen was a very good gardener, but the noble family he served always found fault with the fruit and vegetables he produced in the garden and the vegetable patch or with the flowers chosen to adorn the castle interior. However, proof of his excellence was everywhere and Larsen never abandoned his work.
Little Ida's Flowers
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Little Ida liked the student, who always had a tale to tell, a lot. So, one morning, when little Ida's flowers had all withered, she asked the student what could have happened to them.
Clumsy Hans
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
The king's daughter decided to marry the man who could best arrange his words. Two brothers, full of hope and well-prepared, set out to ask for her hand, when suddenly the third brother, Jack, joined them. They were surprised and laughed at him because he could not be as intelligent and know as much as they did and, of course, the princess would never marry Jack the Dullard...
Anne Lisbeth
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Anne Lisbeth was a beautiful young woman, but she gave birth to a repugnantly ugly child. That is why she gave it into the care of the wife of a man who worked in the fields. This woman cared for the child well and received some money to pay for his upkeep. Meanwhile, Anne Lisbeth had been admitted to the count's castle and looked after the count's child. Her own son was forced to grow up without her, without his mother: here are both their destinies.
The Last Pearl
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Everyone was happy: an heir had been born and mother and son were doing well! Almost all the fairies came to offer a gift to the newborn, there was just one missing who should have brought the last pearl... Luckily, the child's guardian angel knew where to find it!
New Year's Eve Fairy Tales
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Bring in the New Year with the whimsical fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen! This collection of wonderful stories are centred around New Year's Eve and will enchant children and adults alike.
The collection contains the following fairy tales:
- The Little Match Girl
- The Story of the Year
- Ole, the Tower Keeper
- The Porter's Son
- The Gardener and the Noble Family
She Was Good for Nothing
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
While the town judge was at his window, the son of the washerwoman passed before him. The judge said him unkind words to him about his mother. She drank to keep warm during the long days she spent washing in the freezing water of the river. He even told her son that she was good for nothing. But, not everyone thought so!
Something
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Once upon a time there were five brothers who had arrived at the age where they asked themselves what they would become. Each of the brothers wanted to become "something" and each thought that their profession would be better than that of his brothers. However, whatever profession we choose, the important thing it to bring something good and useful to the world...
Ole, the Tower-Keeper
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
My friend Ole was an intelligent curious man with a great deal of knowledge. He had never obtained what he wanted from Men so he retired and lived as a hermit, alone at the top of a church tower. I will tell you about some of the visits I made to him and try to recall his words as best I can.
In the Uttermost Parts of the Sea
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
An expedition was taking place to the other side of the sea: many boats had been sent to the North Pole to explore the sea and the ice. It was winter and over there the days ran into each other in perpetual darkness. The sailors were far from their family, their country and even from dry land. But the youngest sailor knew that he was not alone and that he never would be.
The Storks
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
"One of you will be hanged, the second imprisoned, the third burned and the fourth turned upside down." This is how the children mocked the family of storks that lived on the roof. This frightened the chicks and, to reassure them, their mother spoke of the long journey they would soon take. And, who knows, perhaps one day they would have their revenge on the little tyrants who mocked them in their nest.
The Cripple
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Ole and Kristen worked for a lord who was both rich and good. Every year, for Christmas, together with his wife, he welcomed all the poor children of the area to the castle and treated them to a great celebration with gifts and feasting. As Ole and Kristen worked very hard, their children received more gifts than the others, even Hans, who was called the Cripple because his legs were too weak to carry him. But this year, while his brothers and sisters received warm clothes, Hans received only a story book. Ole and Kristen would have preferred warm clothing for him too, but Hans was happy to have something to read during the long hours he spent in his bed. Ole and Kristen worked hard to maintain the castle gardens and envied their master who was rich without needing to work. One evening, Hans heard his parents complaining about this once again and offered to read them one the stories from the book he had received for Christmas. Ole and Kristen would never have believed it, but the reading of a simply story would change the life of this poor family...
Ole Lukoie
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
"In all the world, no one knows as many stories as Ole-Luk-Oie. He really knows how to tell a tale."
Every evening, Ole-Luk-Oie lulled the children with his stories and, one they were asleep, if they were good, he gave them beautiful dreams using his two umbrellas. What is Ole-Luk-Oie's week like and what stories does he tell? Find out here.
The Great Sea Serpent
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
One sunny day, when a little sea fish was swimming joyfully with his eighteen thousand brothers and sisters, the water was darkened by an enormous eel who came from above and was heading deeper into the sea. It disappeared very quickly and as soon as the calm had returned, the cutest little fish, who was also the most curious, went looking for information to find out who this newcomer to the Ocean was. Could it be the great sea serpent?
The Happy Family
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Next to a long-abandoned castle, grows a jungle of burdock. Under the great green leaves live two old snails, descended from a long lineage, whose ancestors were served on silver platters to the inhabitants of the castle. The couple are waiting for just one thing, to be cooked as well...
The Neighbouring Families
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Many families lived close to the pond: the roses, the sparrows and even men. During a family discussion, the little sparrows asked their parents, what is Beauty? A question whose answer would arrive in the most unexpected way.
The Psyche
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
The star that is brightest this morning knows many things: she has watched over the earth for centuries and knows many things that we men have long forgotten. Today, she tells us the story of the Roman artist that only she knows...
