Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales

Andersen's fairy tales, of which no less than 3381 works have been translated into more than 125 languages, have become culturally embedded in the West's collective consciousness, readily accessible to children, but presenting lessons of virtue and resilience in the face of adversity for mature readers as well. Some of his most famous fairy tales include ""The Emperor's New Clothes"", ""The Little Mermaid"", ""The Nightingale"", ""The Snow Queen"", ""The Ugly Duckling"", ""Thumbelina"", and many others. His stories have inspired ballets, plays, and animated and live-action films. One of Copenhagen's widest and most busy boulevards is labeled ""H.C. Andersens Boulevard"".

The whole city was talking of the splendid cloth which the Emperor had ordered to be woven at his own expense.

And now the Emperor himself wished to see the costly manufacture, while it was still in the loom. Accompanied by a select number of officers of the court, among whom were the two honest men who had already admired the cloth, he went to the crafty impostors, who, as soon as they were aware of the Emperor's approach, went on working more diligently than ever; although they still did not pass a single thread through the looms.

""Is not the work absolutely magnificent?"" said the two officers of the crown, already mentioned. ""If your Majesty will only be pleased to look at it! What a splendid design! What glorious colors!"" and at the same time they pointed to the empty frames; for they imagined that everyone else could see this exquisite piece of workmanship.

""How is this?"" said the Emperor to himself. ""I can see n"