The Old Street Lamp (Hans Andersens Fairy Tales
This story revolves around a street lamp that has been replaced by a newer model. The old lamp feels useless and discarded, but it continues to shine brightly in the darkness of night, providing comfort and guidance to those who need it. Despite being outdated, the lamp finds purpose in its continued service, and it comes to realize that true value lies not in novelty or modernity, but in enduring presence and reliability.
By Hans Christian Andersen · First published 1842 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Children's Literature · 3,257 words
First lines
DID you ever hear the story of the old street lamp? It is not remarkably interesting, but for once you may as well listen to it.
It was a most respectable old lamp, which had seen many, many years of service and now was to retire with a pension. It was this very evening at its post for the last time, giving light to the street. Its feelings were something like those of an old dancer at the theater who is dancing for the last time and knows that on the morrow she will be in her garret, alone and forgotten.
What this Textopian page supports
The Old Street Lamp (Hans Andersens Fairy Tales Second) is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hans Christian Andersen, dated 1842 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: 1842 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Children's Literature, Allegory, Fable
- Length: 3,257 words
- Structure: 1 section, 36 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Old Street Lamp (Hans Andersens Fairy Tales Second) 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
Similar titles
- The Old House by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Story Of The Year by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Girl Who Trod Upon Bread by Hans Christian Andersen
- A Night In The Kitchen by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Pen And Inkstand by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Bottle Neck by Hans Christian Andersen
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The narrative features anthropomorphized objects and a moral lesson, typical of fairy tales.
- Fantasy — The story includes fantastical elements such as a talking lamp and magical gifts from the wind and stars.
- Children's Literature — The simple language and moral undertones make it suitable for a young audience.
- Allegory — The lamp's journey and reflections serve as a metaphor for aging and the passage of time.
Tags
Fairy Tale · Short Story · Literary Fiction · Classic Literature · Danish Literature · 19th Century Literature · Fantasy · Mystery · Symbolism · Allegory · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery