!!!!Hans Christian Andersen!!!!!

[GotThatSwing]

I also love 'The Snow Queen'. Just reminded myself about this one and now can't decide which one I like better. Equally I think. Oh, he has so many great stories.

[laci_baby]

Oh yays! Good job in throwing another one in there!
Snow Queen was amazing... but the idea of it actually terrified me as a child.

I actually really liked the Ugly Duckling he had written... but it was so depressing! The entire time i wanted to cry for the poor thing...

[GotThatSwing]

Well, Andersen's tales generally are a bit 'dark', aren't they?

Though I always took Ugly Duckling as a positive one, as it's giving hope in the end.

I found my old Andersen's tales collection in my bookshelf today I am now tempted to read it.

[Jp1978]

Not to be contrarian or anything, but doesn't The Ugly Duckling just reinforce the attitude of judging based on outward appearance? I mean, the duckling only got appreciated by the others after growing into an adult swan. I've carried that thought in my head since I was a child.

[GotThatSwing]

Not to be contrarian or anything, but doesn't The Ugly Duckling just reinforce the attitude of judging based on outward appearance? I mean, the duckling only got appreciated by the others after growing into an adult swan. I've carried that thought in my head since I was a child.

I understand your point. But I actually see it as the lesson for kids. Because it's quite common that kids laugh for example of fat ones or ugly dressed ones? And the story shows that you never know. And what if you look at it from ugly ducklings perspective? It shows that even if people laugh because you're different, it doesn't mean you won't find happiness. I actually don't think Andersen wanted to show that it's beauty what counts. He didn't write tales about beutiful princesses.

The quote from the Ugly Duckling:
"Then they threw more bread and cake into the water, and said, “The new one is the most beautiful of all; he is so young and pretty.” And the old swans bowed their heads before him.
Then he felt quite ashamed, and hid his head under his wing; for he did not know what to do, he was so happy, and yet not at all proud. He had been persecuted and despised for his ugliness, and now he heard them say he was the most beautiful of all the birds. Even the elder-tree bent down its bows into the water before him, and the sun shone warm and bright. Then he rustled his feathers, curved his slender neck, and cried joyfully, from the depths of his heart, “I never dreamed of such happiness as this, while I was an ugly duckling.” "

I think it shows not to be proud of your looks and shows you have right to dream of happiness whatever others tell you.

But I'm not saying my interpretation is right and yours wrong. I just think it's a positive tale That's how I saw it as a kid and I'd like to see it that way.

[laci_baby]

Very nicely put Swing!

(So it just occurred to me... shall i call you Swing? Or would you rather i didnt??))

[GotThatSwing]

Yeah, sure. Sounds better than Got That

[AmorA]

I recently watch hans christian anderson and realised how much i missed reading his stories, the little match girl was my favourite. i get called thumbelina at work because i'm so short.