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 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.
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 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 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 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.
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 Daisy
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
A daisy was growing peacefully next to a country road, forgotten by everyone, but happy. She liked feeling the sun on her petals and listening to the birds sing. Nothing seemed likely to trouble her happiness, but many things can change from one day to the next.
Twelve by the Mail
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
The bells has just sounded the twelve strikes of midnight announcing the start of a new year, when a mail coach stopped at the entrance to the town. On board, were twelve party-goers who wanted to enter. But who were they?
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.
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 Steadfast Tin Soldier
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
"Once upon a time, there were twenty-five tin soldiers who were all brothers, as they were all born from an old tin spoon. They held their weapons on their arms, their heads were turned to the right and their uniform, red and blue, was rather smart."
One tin soldier, though he was exactly the same as his brothers, found himself, by accident, setting out alone on a series of adventures. But do not worry, this tin soldier was afraid of nothing.
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?
The Shirt Collar
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
This is the story of a false shirt collar, who, when he was of marriageable age, met a shy garter in the washing. So, he set out on a quest to seduce her, which was not without its difficulties.
The Flying Trunk
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
On the death of his father, who was a rich merchant, the son inherited a vast fortune, which he quickly spent. He found himself alone with nothing except the dressing gown on his back and the slippers on his feet. A friend offered him a trunk and advised him to leave. But, this was a special trunk – it could fly! So, the young man decided to go to Turkey, where his dress would not be noticed, but that was just the beginning of his adventure.
Under the Willow Tree
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Johanne and Knud lived close to the town of Kjöge, where there are many gardens that extend as far as the river. There is not much else, but it is charming in summer! It was under the willow-tree in one of these gardens that Johanne and Knud spent a great deal of their time and theirs was a beautiful friendship. But everything would change when Johanne had to leave for Copenhagen with her father! Would they remain friends? Or even, as Knud hoped, could they become more than friends?
The Goblin and the Grocer
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
A goblin lived with a grocer whom he liked a lot because, at Christmas, the grocer never forgot to give him his porridge with a big knob of butter. Under the eaves of the grocer's house lived a student that the goblin had disliked at first sight. But, one day, when the goblin wanted to play a prank on the student, he discovered something that would transform his peaceful existence.
The Darning Needle
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Once upon a time there was a darning needle who thought it was a sewing needle. It was indeed very fine, so fine that one day it broke, but it was not yet over for the needle, nor its dreams.
What One Can Invent
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Once upon a time, a young man dreamed of becoming a writer and making a living from his pen. But there was a problem. The writers of the previous centuries had already exhausted all the subjects and he no longer knew what to write about! This is why he went to see a fortune teller, hoping that she could help him...
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!
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 Travelling Companion
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
When his father died, young Johannes did not know what to do. He was now all alone in the world and he was inconsolable. With his inheritance, he decided to explore the world and he had only one goal in mind: to be as good as his father in the hope of one day finding him again in heaven.
The Ugly Duckling
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
The Ugly Duckling (1842) tells the story of a duckling who is rejected by everyone, including his family, because he looks different. Tired of being made fun of, he decides to go far, far away, but the characters he meets on the way are no more tolerant...-
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 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.
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!
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 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 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.
The Old Church Bell
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
In a little house in Marbach, on the banks of the Necker river, lived a poor family. The day that their son was born, the church's bell was rung to celebrate the newborn's arrival. At the time, no one questioned the destiny of the child and still less that of the bell!
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...
The Silver Shilling
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Once upon a time there was an honest piece of silver who passed from hand to hand and happily discovered his country. One day, his current owner travelled abroad, taking the piece of silver by accident – he only intended to take money from the country he was going to. And this is when the real adventures of the piece of silver began...
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 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...
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.
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 Candles
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
The taper, made of tallow, is not as refined as the candle, which is made from wax – there is no doubt that it will be the candle who will have the honour of lighting the ballroom this evening. When the taper is offered to a poor boy, it asks itself if it will ever again have the opportunity of seeing people as happy as those who are going to the ball...
There Is a Difference
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
It was the month of May and spring had arrived, although it was still cold. The flowers were blooming, but not all flowers receive the same praise. Some would say that there a difference between a branch of apple blossom and a flower of the fields, but is there really?
Little Tuk
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Little Tuk had to learn his lesson for the next day but he was far too busy with other things and so he found himself with the sun already setting, while his family did not have enough money to keep the lanterns lit at night. Would he learn his lesson in time?
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...
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...
The Story of the Year
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
The new year had begun and January was already nearing its end, but it was still very cold. The sparrows found it strange, that the men had declared that it was the new year, as everyone knows that the year only begins with the coming of spring. However, spring was late and a few intrepid sparrows decided to go looking for it.
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.
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...
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 Shadow
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
A scholar from a cold country lived in a hot country, but he found it difficult to adapt to the climate. In the daytime, his shadow became tiny: it really was too hot for him. So, he stayed at home and went out in the evening. As the temperature went down, the town came to life. One night, the scholar was woken by a mysterious and intriguing light. What was it? How could it be explained? That is what he would try to discover.
The Most Incredible Thing
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
The princess's hand in marriage was promised to the man who could accomplish the most incredible thing. He would also receive half of the Kingdom. All the young men, and the not-so-young men, dreamt of this prize and would do their best to achieve the most incredible things...
What Old Johanne Told
by Hans Christian Andersen
read by Alex Lehman
Part of the Hans Christian Andersen's Stories series
Rasmus was a bitter, pessimistic young boy who was nothing like his good and pious mother. Rasmus was with a free spirit and he could not bear living in a small town. So he set on a long, exhausting journey – leaving behind his home, his family and his childhood friend Johanne. Years passed and Rasmus returned. But the old Rasmus' spirit was not the same. The man was put under a spell. He was either going to be saved or the enchantment was going to kill him. The Old Johanne will tell us how Rasmus' life went and what happened with him. If you want to find out, read "What Old Johanne Told" by Hans Christian Andersen.
