by Hans Christian Andersen

translation by H P Paull (1872)

CLOSE corner of street, among other abodes of poverty, stood an exceedingly tall, narrow house, which so knocked about by time seemed out of joint in every direction This house was inhabited by poor people, but the deepest poverty was apparent garret lodging gable In front little window, an old bent bird-cage hung sunshine, which even proper water-glass, but instead of it the broken neck of bottle, turned upside down, and cork stuck in it hold the water filled An old maid stood window; she had hung chickweed over the cage, little linnet which it contained hopped from perch to perch and sang and twittered merrily

"Yes, it's all to sing," said the bottle neck: , really speak the words do, neck of bottle cannot speak; but he thought them to himself own mind, just as people sometimes talk quietly to themselves

"Yes, sing , all your limbs uninjured; feel what like to lose your body, and only have neck and mouth left, with cork stuck , as : you wouldn't sing then, After all, just some happy no reason to sing, nor could I sing now if I were ever so happy; but when whole bottle, rubbed me with cork, didn't I sing then ? I used called complete lark I remember when I went out to picnic furrier's family, day his daughter was betrothed,- it seems it only happened yesterday I through great deal in , when I come to recollect: fire and water, deep earth, mounted higher air than most other people, and now swinging here, outside bird-cage, air sunshine Oh, indeed, it worth while to hear my history; but speak it aloud, for good reason- because "

Then the bottle neck related his history, really rather remarkable; he, , related it to himself, or, , thought it own mind The little bird sang his own song merrily; street below driving and running to and fro, thought own affairs, or perhaps of nothing at all; but the bottle neck thought deeply He thought blazing furnace factory, where he blown into life; he remembered how hot it felt when placed heated oven, the home he sprang, he had strong inclination to leap out again directly; but after while it became cooler, and himself very comfortable He placed in row, with whole regiment brothers and sisters all brought same furnace; had certainly been blown into champagne bottles, and others into beer bottles, which made little difference it often happens that beer bottle may contain the most precious wine, and champagne bottle be filled with blacking, but even in decay it may always be seen whether man well born Nobility remains noble, as champagne bottle remains the same, even with blacking in its interior bottles were packed our bottle was packed amongst them; it little expected then to finish its career as bottle neck, or used as water-glass to bird's-cage, , after all, place of honor, of some use The bottle behold the light of day again, until unpacked rest wine merchant's cellar, and, first time, rinsed with water, which caused some very curious sensations There it lay empty, and without cork, and it had peculiar feeling, it wanted something it knew not what At last filled with rich and costly wine, cork was placed , and sealed down Then labelled "first quality," it had carried off the first prize at an examination; besides, the wine bottle were both good, and while young time for poetry There were sounds of song bottle, of things it understand, of green sunny mountains, where the vines grow and where the merry vine-dressers laugh, sing, merry "Ah, how beautiful is life " All these tones of joy and song bottle were like the working of young poet's brain, who often knows not the meaning tones which are sounding within him One morning the bottle found purchaser furrier's apprentice, who was told to bring bottles of wine placed provision basket with ham and cheese and sausages The sweetest fresh butter finest bread were put basket furrier's daughter herself, for she packed it She was young and pretty; her brown eyes laughed, and smile lingered round her mouth as sweet in her eyes She had delicate hands, beautifully white, and her neck was whiter still It could easily be seen that she was very lovely girl, and she was not engaged The provision basket lay lap young girl family drove out forest, neck bottle peeped out from folds white napkin the red wax cork, bottle looked straight young girl's face, and also face young sailor who sat near her young friend, the son of portrait painter He had lately passed his examination with honor, as mate, next morning to sail ship to distant coast There great deal of talk subject while the basket was being packed, and during this conversation the eyes mouth furrier's daughter wear very joyful expression The young people wandered away green wood, and talked together What did they talk about ? The bottle , for provision basket It remained there ; but when at last brought forth it appeared something pleasant had happened, for was laughing; the furrier's daughter laughed too, but she said very little, and her cheeks were like two roses Then her father took the bottle cork-screw into his hands What strange sensation the cork drawn first time ! The bottle could never forget the performance moment; indeed quite convulsion within him cork flew out, and gurgling sound wine was poured forth glasses

"Long life betrothed," cried the papa, and every glass was emptied dregs, while the young sailor kissed his beautiful bride

"Happiness and blessing both," said the old people-father and mother, young man filled the glasses again

"Safe return, and wedding this day ," he cried; and glasses were empty the bottle, raised it on high, and said, "Thou hast been present here happiest day life; thou shalt never be used by others ! " So saying, he hurled it high air