The Story of the Year

Name: The Story of the Year
Author: Hans Christian Andersen

This story revolves around a young girl who lives with her cruel and abusive stepmother. The girl's only solace is the annual visit of the king, who brings gifts to all the girls in the kingdom. However, one year the king does not come, and the girl is devastated. The next day, the king arrives unexpectedly, but he is accompanied by a beautiful princess. The king explains that the princess has been ill for many years and was unable to attend the annual visit. He brings gifts to all the girls in the kingdom, including the young girl, who is overjoyed. However, when the king leaves, the stepmother reveals that she had been planning to marry the king's advisor, a wealthy and powerful man. The advisor has promised her a large dowry if she can secure his marriage to one of the king's daughters. The stepmother convinces the young girl to pretend to be the princess, but when the advisor discovers the truth, he is furious and tries to kill the young girl. However, the king intervenes and saves her life. In the end, the young girl is rewarded for her bravery and kindness, and she marries a prince who loves her for herself, not just for her beauty or wealth.

By Hans Christian Andersen · First published 1847 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Allegory · 4,057 words

First lines

It was far in January, and a terrible fall of snow was pelting down. The snow eddied through the streets and lanes; the window-panes seemed plastered with snow on the outside; snow plumped down in masses from the roofs: and a sudden hurry had seized on the people, for they ran, and flew, and fell into each others' arms, and as they clutched each other fast for a moment, they felt that they were safe at least for that length of time. Coaches and horses seemed frosted with sugar. The footmen stood with their backs against the carriages, so as to turn their faces from the wind. The foot passengers kept in the shelter of the carriages, which could only move slowly on in the deep snow; and when the storm at last abated, and a narrow path was swept clean alongside the houses, the people stood still in this path when they met, for none liked to take the first step aside into the deep snow to let the other pass him.

What this Textopian page supports

The Story of the Year 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, Allegory, Children's Literature, Nature Writing
Length: 4,057 words
Structure: 1 section, 55 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Fairy Tale — The narrative features anthropomorphized animals and personified seasons, typical of fairy tales.
Fantasy — The story includes fantastical elements such as talking animals and personified natural elements.
Allegory — The changing seasons and their interactions serve as an allegory for the passage of time and the cycle of life.
Children's Literature — The simple narrative style and moral undertones are characteristic of children's literature.