Hans kunne fornemme sit eget varme blod i dig; men det tænkte han ikke på, han tænkte kun på katten og fuglen; ude af sengen kunne drengen jo ikke hjælpe sig, stå på benene kunne han ikke, gå endnu mindre. Det var, som om hans hjerte vendte sig inde i ham, da han så katten springe fra vinduet lige hen på dragkisten og støde til buret, så at det væltede. En jul får Hans noget så unyttigt som en bog med eventyr af folkene på herregården, hvor han forældre tjener i haven. Men mystisk er det, den taler ligesom til de fattige forældres egen situation, når flere kendinge fra eventyrernes verden går parade gennem bogens fortællinger - og en dag viser julens magi sig i virkeligheden!
Author
Hans Christian Andersen (often referred to in Scandinavia as H.C. Andersen) was a Danish author and poet. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, Andersen is best remembered for his fairy tales. Andersen's popularity is not limited to children; his stories—called eventyr, or "fairy-tales" — express themes that transcend age and nationality. Andersen's fairy tales, which have been translated into more than 125 languages, have become culturally embedded in the West's collective consciousness, readily accessible to children, but presenting lessons of virtue and resilience in the face of adversity for mature readers as well. Some of his most famous fairy tales include "The Little Mermaid", "The Ugly Duckling", "The Nightingale", "The Emperor's New Clothes" and many more. His stories have inspired plays, ballets, and both live-action and animated films.
