The Old Street-Lamp
A young girl's life is forever changed when she discovers a mysterious old street-lamp that has been standing for centuries. The lamp holds the secrets of the past and the present, and it reveals to her the stories of those who have lived in the city over the years. As the girl delves deeper into the lamp's history, she uncovers tales of love, loss, and tragedy, as well as moments of joy and triumph. She learns about the people who have lit the lamp, and how their lives were intertwined with one another. Through her journey, the girl gains a new understanding of the city and its inhabitants, and she begins to see the world in a different light. The old street-lamp becomes a symbol of the past, present, and future, reminding her that every moment is connected to those who have come before. The story explores themes of identity, community, and the power of storytelling, as the girl's experiences with the lamp shape her own sense of self and her place in the world.
By Hans Christian Andersen · First published 1842 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Children's Literature · 3,314 words
First lines
Have you heard the story about the old street lamp? It is not so very amusing, but one may very well hear it once. It was such a decent old street-lamp, that had done its duty for many, many years, but now it was to be condemned. It was the last evening, -- it sat there on the post and lighted the street; and it was in just such a humor as an old figurante in a ballet, who dances for the last evening, and knows that she is to be put on the shelf to-morrow. The lamp had such a fear of the coming day, for it knew that it should then be carried to the town-hall for the first time, and examined by the authorities of the city, who should decide if it could be used or not.
What this Textopian page supports
The Old Street-Lamp 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: 3,314 words
- Structure: 1 section, 32 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Old Street-Lamp by Hans Christian Andersen
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Old Street-Lamp?
- 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 Roses And The Sparrows by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Old Street Lamp by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Old House by Hans Christian Andersen
- Princess Ballade by Joyce Kilmer
- The Bell by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Girl Who Trod Upon Bread 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 street 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 story uses the street lamp as a symbol to convey deeper meanings about aging and usefulness.
Tags
Fairy Tale · Short Story · Literary Fiction · Fantasy · Mystery · Romance · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Nostalgia · Memory · Love · Loss