Hans Christian Andersen: One day, a competition was organised: the fastest would be awarded first price. The jury gave first prize to the hare and second prize was awarded to the snail. Long debates followed between the various animals because no one agreed with the results and

Hans Christian Andersen: 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

Hans Christian Andersen: 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 son

Hans Christian Andersen: 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.

Hans Christian Andersen: 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.

Hans Christian Andersen: 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 tol