by Hans Christian Andersen

translation by H P Paull (1872)

FAR down forest, where the warm sun fresh air made sweet resting-place, grew pretty little fir-tree; and yet not happy, it wished tall like its companions- the pines and firs which grew around it The sun shone, soft air fluttered its leaves, little peasant children passed by, prattling merrily, but the fir-tree heeded them not Sometimes the children would bring large basket of raspberries or strawberries, wreathed on straw, and seat themselves near the fir-tree, and say, " not pretty little tree ? " which made it feel more unhappy than before And yet all this while the tree grew notch or joint taller every year; for number of joints stem of fir-tree discover its age Still, as it grew, it complained, "Oh ! how I were as tall other trees, then spread out my branches on every side, and my top would over-look the wide world the birds building their nests on my boughs, and wind blew, bow with stately dignity like my tall companions " The tree was so discontented, took no pleasure warm sunshine, the birds, or the rosy clouds that floated over it morning and evening Sometimes, in winter, snow lay white and glittering ground, hare would come springing along, and jump right over the little tree; and then how mortified it would feel ! Two winters passed, and third arrived, the tree had grown so tall hare was obliged to run round it Yet it remained unsatisfied, and would exclaim, "Oh, if but keep on growing tall and old ! nothing else worth caring for ! " autumn, as usual, the wood-cutters came and cut down several tallest trees, young fir-tree, now grown to its full height, shuddered noble trees fell earth with crash branches were lopped off, the trunks looked so slender and bare, that scarcely be recognized Then they were placed upon wagons, and drawn by horses forest "Where were they going ? What would become ? " The young fir-tree wished ; so spring, swallows storks came, it asked, " where those trees were taken ? Did you meet them ? "

The swallows knew nothing, but the stork, after little reflection, nodded his head, and said, "Yes, I met several new ships when I flew from Egypt, had fine masts that smelt like fir these must the trees; I assure you they were stately, very stately "

"Oh, how I were tall enough sea," said the fir-tree " the sea, and what does it look like ? "

"It would take time to explain," said the stork, flying quickly away

"Rejoice in thy youth," said the sunbeam; "rejoice in thy fresh growth, young life in thee "

wind kissed the tree, dew watered it with tears; but the fir-tree regarded them not

Christmas-time drew near, and many young trees were cut down, some even smaller and younger fir-tree who enjoyed neither rest nor peace with longing to leave its forest home These young trees, which were chosen for their beauty, kept their branches, and were also laid on wagons and drawn by horses forest

"Where are they going ? " asked the fir-tree " taller than : indeed, one is much less; and why are the branches not cut off ? Where are they going ? "

" , ," sang the sparrows; " looked in windows houses town, and done dressed up most splendid manner seen them standing middle of warm room, and adorned with all sorts of beautiful things,- honey cakes, gilded apples, playthings, and many hundreds of wax tapers "

"And then," asked the fir-tree, trembling through all its branches, "and then what happens ? "

" see any more," said the sparrows; "but enough "

"I wonder whether anything so brilliant will ever happen ," thought the fir-tree "It much better than crossing the sea I long almost with pain Oh ! when will Christmas be here ? now as tall and well grown which were taken away last year Oh ! that I were now laid wagon, or standing warm room, with all that brightness and splendor around me ! Something better and more beautiful is after, or the trees so decked out Yes, what follows grander and more splendid What can it be ? weary with longing I scarcely know how "

"Rejoice ," said the air sunlight "Enjoy thine own bright life fresh air "

But the tree rejoice, though it grew taller every day; and, winter and summer, its dark-green foliage seen forest, while passers by would say, "What beautiful tree ! "

short time before Christmas, the discontented fir-tree first axe cut stem, and divided the pith, the tree fell with groan earth, conscious of pain and faintness, and forgetting all its anticipations of happiness, in sorrow at leaving its home forest It knew should never again see its dear old companions, the trees, nor the little bushes and many-colored flowers that had grown by its side; perhaps not even the birds Neither journey at all pleasant The tree first recovered itself while being unpacked courtyard of house, with trees; and it heard man say, "We only want one, and prettiest "

Then came two servants in grand livery, and carried the fir-tree into large and beautiful apartment walls hung pictures, and near the great stove stood great china vases, with lions lids There were rocking chairs, silken sofas, large tables, covered with pictures, books, and playthings, worth great deal of money,- , the children said so Then the fir-tree was placed in large tub, full of sand; but green baize hung all around it, no one tub, and it stood on very handsome carpet How the fir-tree trembled ! " going to happen to him now ? " Some young ladies came, servants helped them to adorn the tree On one branch they hung little bags cut out of colored paper, and each bag was filled with sweetmeats; from other branches hung gilded apples and walnuts, as had grown there; and above, and all round, were hundreds of red, blue, and white tapers, which were fastened branches Dolls, exactly like real babies, were placed under the green leaves,- the tree had never seen such things before,- and very top was fastened glittering star, made of tinsel Oh, very beautiful !

"This evening," they all exclaimed, "how bright ! " "Oh, evening were come," thought the tree, " tapers lighted ! then know what else is going to happen Will the trees forest come me ? I wonder sparrows will peep in windows fly ? shall I grow faster here, and keep on all these ornaments summer and winter ? " But guessing was of very little use; it made his bark ache, and this pain is as bad for slender fir-tree, as headache is At last the tapers were lighted, and then what glistening blaze of light the tree presented ! It trembled so with joy in all its branches, that candles fell green leaves and burnt "Help ! help ! " exclaimed the young ladies, but no danger, for they quickly extinguished the fire , the tree tried not to tremble at all, though the fire frightened him; so anxious not to hurt any beautiful ornaments, even while their brilliancy dazzled him And now the folding doors were thrown open, and troop of children rushed in as intended to upset the tree; they were followed more silently by their elders For moment the little ones stood silent with astonishment, and then they shouted for joy, till the room rang, danced merrily round the tree, while one present after another was taken

" they doing ? happen next ? " thought the fir At last the candles burnt down branches and were put out Then the children received permission to plunder the tree

Oh, how they rushed upon it, till the branches cracked, and had it not been fastened glistening star ceiling, it must thrown down The children then danced about with their pretty toys, and no one noticed the tree, except the children's maid who came and peeped branches if an apple or fig forgotten

"A story, story," cried the children, pulling little fat man towards the tree

"Now green shade," said the man, as he seated himself under it, " tree the pleasure of hearing also, but only relate one story; what shall it be ? Ivede-Avede, or Humpty Dumpty, who fell down stairs, but soon got up again, and at last married princess "

"Ivede-Avede," cried some "Humpty Dumpty," cried others, and fine shouting and crying out But the fir-tree remained quite still, and thought to himself, "Shall anything with all this ? " but he had already amused them wished Then the old man told them the story of Humpty Dumpty, how he fell down stairs, and was raised up again, and married princess children clapped their hands and cried, "Tell another, tell another," for they wanted to hear the story of "Ivede-Avede;" but they only had "Humpty Dumpty " the fir-tree became quite silent and thoughtful; never had the birds forest told such tales as "Humpty Dumpty," who fell down stairs, and yet married princess