Blockhead Hans facts for kids
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Blockhead Hans (in Danish: Klods-Hans) is a famous fairy tale. It was written by Hans Christian Andersen. He was a well-known Danish author.
The story was first printed in Danish in 1855. Later, it was translated into English. One early English version appeared in a book called The Yellow Fairy Book in 1894. This book was put together by Andrew Lang.
The tale has a few different English names. Some people call it "Clumsy Hans" or "Silly Hans." Others know it as "Jack the Dullard." This story is listed as number 119 in the Hans Christian Andersen Centre's collection of his works.
Contents
The Story of Blockhead Hans
The Princess's Challenge
Once, there was an old squire. He had two sons who were very smart and well-educated. They both wanted to marry the princess. The princess was very clever. She said she would marry the man who could speak the best words.
The two educated sons studied hard. They practiced speaking well to impress the princess. Their father gave each of them a fine horse. They rode off to the King's palace.
Hans's Journey
The squire had a third son. People called him Blockhead Hans. He was not as smart as his brothers. But he also wanted to win the princess. His father would not give him a horse. So, Blockhead Hans rode a goat instead.
On his way to the King's palace, Hans found some unusual things. He picked them up as gifts for the princess. First, he found a dead crow. Then, he found an old wooden shoe. It was missing its top part. Finally, he scooped up some mud.
Meeting the Princess
At the King's throne room, many people were waiting. Three reporters and an editor stood by each window. They were writing down everything the suitors said. They planned to publish it later.
The fireplace in the hall was very hot. Many suitors had already failed to impress the princess. Both of Hans's brothers tried to speak. But they stammered and could not find the right words. They failed to impress the princess.
Then, Blockhead Hans rode his goat right into the royal hall. He noticed how hot it was. "Wow, it's hot in here!" he said.
The princess replied, "Yes, we are roasting young roosters." She meant the suitors who were failing.
"That's great!" Hans said. "Then I can roast a crow with them!" He pulled out the dead crow.
The princess liked his quick answer. She asked if he had something to cook it in. Hans showed her the old wooden shoe. He called it "a cooking tool with tin rings." He then placed the dead crow inside it.
The princess approved again. She asked where the soup was. Blockhead Hans poured the mud onto the crow.
A Royal Marriage
The princess was very impressed with Hans. She liked his clever and funny answers. She decided to marry him.
The princess told him that the reporters were writing down everything he said. They would publish it for everyone to read.
Blockhead Hans thought for a moment. "Then I will give the editor my best!" he said. He then threw mud right into the editor's face!
Blockhead Hans went on to marry the princess. Later, he became king.
