The Butterfly
A young girl's life is marked by her inability to fly despite having a beautiful butterfly-like appearance. She longs for the freedom and beauty of butterflies but remains grounded. Her existence is one of isolation, loneliness, and longing.
By Hans Christian Andersen · First published 1838 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fable, Children's Literature · 1,059 words
First lines
The butterfly wished to procure a bride for himself -- of course, one of the flowers -- a pretty little one. He looked about him. Each one sat quietly and thoughtfully on her stalk, as a young maiden should sit, when she is not affianced; but there were many of them, and it was a difficult matter to choose amongst them. The butterfly could not make up his mind; so he flew to the daisy. The French call her _Marguerite_; they know that she can tell fortunes, and she does this when lovers pluck off leaf after leaf and ask her at each one a question about the beloved one: "How does he love me? -- With all his heart? -- With sorrow? -- Above all? -- Can not refrain from it? -- Quite secretly? -- A little bit? -- Not at all? " -- or questions to the same import. Each one asks in his own language.
What this Textopian page supports
The Butterfly is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hans Christian Andersen, dated 1838 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: 1838 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Fable, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Romance
- Length: 1,059 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Butterfly by Hans Christian Andersen
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Butterfly?
- 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
- The Wild Swans by Hans Christian Andersen
- Sunshine Stories by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Leap Frog by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Daisy by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Roses And The Sparrows by Hans Christian Andersen
- Little Thumbelina by Hans Christian Andersen
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The narrative features anthropomorphized animals and plants, a hallmark of fairy tales, and conveys moral lessons.
- Fable — The story uses animals to convey a moral lesson about indecision and the consequences of choices.
- Children's Literature — The simple language and moral undertones make it suitable for a young audience.
- Fantasy — The story includes fantastical elements such as talking flowers and a butterfly seeking a bride.
Tags
FairyTale · Fantasy · ChildrensLiterature · Classic · ShortStory · Poetic · Symbolic · Nature · Transformation · Beauty · Impermanence · Mortality