The Bell's Hollow

Name: The Bell's Hollow
Author: Hans Christian Andersen

This story revolves around a young girl who lives with her mother and stepfather in a small village at the edge of a forest. The family's financial situation is precarious, and they struggle to make ends meet. The girl's stepfather is cruel and abusive, while her mother is weak and submissive. One day, the stepfather announces that he has arranged for the girl to marry a wealthy man from a neighboring town, but she is not told about the arrangement until the wedding day. On the eve of the wedding, the girl discovers the truth and decides to run away into the forest. She meets a group of robbers who take her in and teach her how to survive on her own. The girl learns to be independent and resourceful, but she also struggles with feelings of guilt and shame for abandoning her family. As time passes, the girl becomes embroiled in a series of adventures and misadventures, including encounters with bandits, wild animals, and other travelers. Along the way, she begins to develop a sense of self-worth and confidence that she had never known before. Ultimately, the girl's experiences in the forest lead her to discover a hidden talent for music and singing, which becomes a source of joy and fulfillment for her. The story concludes with the girl returning home, where she is welcomed back by her mother and stepfather, who have come to realize their own mistakes and shortcomings.

By Hans Christian Andersen · First published 1847 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore · 1,520 words

First lines

"Ding-dong! ding-dong! " sounded from the buried bell in Odensee river. What sort of a river is that? Every child in the town of Odensee knows it. It flows round the foot of the gardens, from the locks to the water-mill, away under the wooden bridges. In the river grow yellow water-lilies, brown feather-like reeds, and the soft velvet-like bulrushes, so high and so large. Old, split willow trees, bent and twisted, hang far over the water by the side of the monks' meadows and the bleaching greens; but a little above is garden after garden -- the one very different from the other; some with beautiful flowers and arbours, clean and in prim array, like dolls' villages; some only filled with cabbages; while in others there are no attempts at a garden to be seen at all, only great elder trees stretching themselves out, and hanging over the running water, which here and there is deeper than an oar can fathom.

What this Textopian page supports

The Bell's Hollow is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hans Christian Andersen, dated 1847 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Hans Christian Andersen
Date: 1847 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore, Mythology, Historical Fiction
Length: 1,520 words
Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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How does this short story by Hans Christian Andersen fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Fairy Tale first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Fairy Tale — The narrative features mythical elements such as a merman and a magical bell, typical of fairy tales.
Fantasy — The story includes fantastical creatures and events, such as a bell that flies and a merman, which are hallmarks of fantasy.
Folklore — The tale draws on traditional folklore themes, including mythical beings and oral storytelling traditions.
Mythology — The presence of a merman and the ancient, mystical setting align with mythological storytelling.