The Angel (fairy tale) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "The Angel" |
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Illustration from the 1888 anthology Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales
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| Author | Hans Christian Andersen |
| Original title | "Englen" |
| Country | Denmark |
| Language | Danish |
| Genre(s) | Literary fairy tale |
| Published in | New Fairy Tales. First Volume. First Collection (Nye Eventyr. Første Bind. Første Samling) |
| Publication type | Fairy tale collection |
| Publisher | C.A. Reitzel |
| Media type | |
| Publication date | 11 November 1843 |
| Followed by | "The Nightingale" |
"The Angel" (Danish: Engelen) is a beautiful fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen. It tells the story of an angel and a child who has passed away. Together, they gather flowers to take with them to Heaven.
This story was first published in November 1843. It was part of a collection called New Fairy Tales. First Volume. First Collection. People in Denmark loved the story, and a picture showing the angel and child became very popular.
The Story of The Angel
The story starts after a child has died. An angel comes to guide the child to Heaven. They travel across the Earth for a while, visiting many different places. As they go, they collect flowers. These flowers are meant to be planted in the beautiful gardens of Heaven.
The angel then takes the child to a very poor area. There, they find a dead lily flower lying in a pile of trash. The angel carefully picks up the flower. He explains that this lily once brought joy to a boy who was sick and couldn't move much, before that boy also passed away.
Then, the angel reveals a secret: he was that very boy! After this surprising moment, the angel and the child continue their journey to Heaven.
What the Story Means
Hans Christian Andersen often wrote about hope and new beginnings. In "The Angel," he shows that even after someone dies, there is a peaceful journey to a new place. The angel in the story is a kind guide, helping the child feel safe and loved.
Andersen believed that life continued in a wonderful way after death. He saw it as a chance for a fresh start, especially for those who had faced difficulties. The story suggests that even small acts of kindness, like a flower cheering up a sick child, are remembered and valued in Heaven.
How the Story Came to Be
Hans Christian Andersen created "The Angel" all by himself. It might have been inspired by a sad event: the death of the oldest daughter of his friends, Edvard and Jette Collins.
Andersen had thought about children becoming angels for a long time. He even wrote a poem about it called "The Dying Child." Some people also believe that this story, along with two others, was inspired by a famous singer named Jenny Lind.
See also
In Spanish: El ángel (cuento) para niños
