--- title: The Snowdrop — Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen · full text with trees · page 2 description: The Snowdrop, «Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen» by H. C. Andersen: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: It was winter-time; the air was cold, the wind was sharp, but within the closed doors it was warm and comfortable, and within the closed doo --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/page/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/) / The Snowdrop # The Snowdrop · page 2 [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/) **2** [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/page/3/) - [101](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/101/) — I shall endure it, however, for I shall look upon it all as a mere representation, a masquerade, a mummery, which to-morrow, that is, when I myself as a journeyman, shall have served my time, will vanish, and I shall go my way, and all that has passed will be nothing to me. - [102](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/102/) — Then I shall enter the academy, and get instructed in drawing, and be called an architect. - [103](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/103/) — I may even attain to rank, and have something placed before or after my name, and I shall build as others have done before me. - [104](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/104/) — By this there will be always 'something' to make me remembered, and is not that worth living for?" - [105](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/105/) — "Not in my opinion," said the fourth; "I will never follow the lead of others, and only imitate what they have done. - [106](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/106/) — I will be a genius, and become greater than all of you together. - [107](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/107/) — I will create a new style of building, and introduce a plan for erecting houses suitable to the climate, with material easily obtained in the country, and thus suit national feeling and the developments of the age, besides building a storey for my own genius." - [108](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/108/) — "But supposing the climate and the material are not good for much," said the fifth brother, "that would be very unfortunate for you, and have an influence over your experiments. - [109](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/109/) — Nationality may assert itself until it becomes affectation, and the developments of a century may run wild, as youth often does. - [110](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/110/) — I see clearly that none of you will ever really be anything worth notice, however you may now fancy it. - [111](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/111/) — But do as you like, I shall not imitate you. - [112](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/112/) — I mean to keep clear of all these things, and criticize what you do. - [113](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/113/) — In every action something imperfect may be discovered, something not right, which I shall make it my business to find out and expose; that will be something, I fancy." - [114](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/114/) — And he kept his word, and became a critic. - [115](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/115/) — People said of this fifth brother, "There is something very precise about him; he has a good head-piece, but he does nothing." - [116](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/116/) — And on that very account they thought he must be something. - [117](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/117/) — Now, you see, this is a little history which will never end; as long as the world exists, there will always be men like these five brothers. - [118](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/118/) — And what became of them? - [119](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/119/) — Were they each nothing or something? - [120](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/120/) — You shall hear; it is quite a history. - [121](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/121/) — The eldest brother, he who fabricated bricks, soon discovered that each brick, when finished, brought him in a small coin, if only a copper one; and many copper pieces, if placed one upon another, can be changed into a shining shilling; and at whatever door a person knocks, who has a number of these in his hands, whether it be the baker's, the butcher's, or the tailor's, the door flies open, and he can get all he wants. - [122](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/122/) — So you see the value of bricks. - [123](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/123/) — Some of the bricks, however, crumbled to pieces, or were broken, but the elder brother found a use for even these. - [124](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/124/) — On the high bank of earth, which formed a dyke on the sea-coast, a poor woman named Margaret wished to build herself a house, so all the imperfect bricks were given to her, and a few whole ones with them; for the eldest brother was a kind-hearted man, although he never achieved anything higher than making bricks. - [125](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/125/) — The poor woman built herself a little house--it was small and narrow, and the window was quite crooked, the door too low, and the straw roof might have been better thatched. - [126](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/126/) — But still it was a shelter, and from within you could look far over the sea, which dashed wildly against the sea-wall on which the little house was built. - [127](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/127/) — The salt waves sprinkled their white foam over it, but it stood firm, and remained long after he who had given the bricks to build it was dead and buried. - [128](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/128/) — The second brother of course knew better how to build than poor Margaret, for he served an apprenticeship to learn it. - [129](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/129/) — When his time was up, he packed up his knapsack, and went on his travels, singing the journeyman's song,-- - [130](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/130/) — "While young, I can wander without a care, And build new houses everywhere; Fair and bright are my dreams of home, Always thought of wherever I roam. - [131](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/131/) — Hurrah for a workman's life of glee! - [132](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/132/) — There's a loved one at home who thinks of me; Home and friends I can ne'er forget, And I mean to be a master yet." - [133](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/133/) — And that is what he did. - [134](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/134/) — On his return home, he became a master builder,--built one house after another in the town, till they formed quite a street, which, when finished, became really an ornament to the town. - [135](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/135/) — These houses built a house for him in return, which was to be his own. - [136](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/136/) — But how can houses build a house? - [137](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/137/) — If the houses were asked, they could not answer; but the people would understand, and say, "Certainly the street built his house for him." - [138](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/138/) — It was not very large, and the floor was of lime; but when he danced with his bride on the lime-covered floor, it was to him white and shining, and from every stone in the wall flowers seemed to spring forth and decorate the room as with the richest tapestry. - [139](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/139/) — It was really a pretty house, and in it were a happy pair. - [140](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/140/) — The flag of the corporation fluttered before it, and the journeymen and apprentices shouted "Hurrah." - [141](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/141/) — He had gained his position, he had made himself something, and at last he died, which was "something" too. - [142](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/142/) — Now we come to the architect, the third brother, who had been first a carpenter's apprentice, had worn a cap, and served as an errand boy, but afterwards went to the academy, and risen to be an architect, a high and noble gentleman. - [143](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/143/) — Ah yes, the houses of the new street, which the brother who was a master builder erected, may have built his house for him, but the street received its name from the architect, and the handsomest house in the street became his property. - [144](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/144/) — That was something, and he was "something," for he had a list of titles before and after his name. - [145](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/145/) — His children were called "wellborn," and when he died, his widow was treated as a lady of position, and that was "something." - [146](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/146/) — His name remained always written at the corner of the street, and lived in every one's mouth as its name. - [147](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/147/) — Yes, this also was "something." - [148](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/148/) — And what about the genius of the family--the fourth brother--who wanted to invent something new and original? - [149](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/149/) — He tried to build a lofty storey himself, but it fell to pieces, and he fell with it and broke his neck. - [150](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/150/) — However, he had a splendid funeral, with the city flags and music in the procession; flowers were strewn on the pavement, and three orations were spoken over his grave, each one longer than the other. - [151](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/151/) — He would have liked this very much during his life, as well as the poems about him in the papers, for he liked nothing so well as to be talked of. - [152](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/152/) — A monument was also erected over his grave. - [153](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/153/) — It was only another storey over him, but that was "something," Now he was dead, like the three other brothers. - [154](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/154/) — The youngest--the critic--outlived them all, which was quite right for him. - [155](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/155/) — It gave him the opportunity of having the last word, which to him was of great importance. - [156](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/156/) — People always said he had a good head-piece. - [157](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/157/) — At last his hour came, and he died, and arrived at the gates of heaven. - [158](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/158/) — Souls always enter these gates in pairs; so he found himself standing and waiting for admission with another; and who should it be but old dame Margaret, from the house on the dyke! " - [159](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/159/) — It is evidently for the sake of contrast that I and this wretched soul should arrive here exactly at the same time," said the critic. " - [160](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/160/) — Pray who are you, my good woman?" said he; "do you want to get in here too?" - [161](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/161/) — And the old woman curtsied as well as she could; she thought it must be St. Peter himself who spoke to her. " - [162](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/162/) — I am a poor old woman," she said, "without my family. - [163](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/163/) — I am old Margaret, that lived in the house on the dyke." - [164](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/164/) — "Well, and what have you done--what great deed have you performed down below?" - [165](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/165/) — "I have done nothing at all in the world that could give me a claim to have these doors open for me," she said. " - [166](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/166/) — It would be only through mercy that I can be allowed to slip in through the gate." - [167](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/167/) — "In what manner did you leave the world?" he asked, just for the sake of saying something; for it made him feel very weary to stand there and wait. - [168](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/168/) — "How I left the world?" she replied; "why, I can scarcely tell you. - [169](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/169/) — During the last years of my life I was sick and miserable, and I was unable to bear creeping out of bed suddenly into the frost and cold. - [170](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/170/) — Last winter was a hard winter, but I have got over it all now. - [171](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/171/) — There were a few mild days, as your honor, no doubt, knows. - [172](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/172/) — The ice lay thickly on the lake, as far one could see. - [173](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/173/) — The people came from the town, and walked upon it, and they say there were dancing and skating upon it, I believe, and a great feasting. - [174](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/174/) — The sound of beautiful music came into my poor little room where I lay. - [175](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/175/) — Towards evening, when the moon rose beautifully, though not yet in her full splendor, I glanced from my bed over the wide sea; and there, just where the sea and sky met, rose a curious white cloud. - [176](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/176/) — I lay looking at the cloud till I observed a little black spot in the middle of it, which gradually grew larger and larger, and then I knew what it meant--I am old and experienced; and although this token is not often seen, I knew it, and a shuddering seized me. - [177](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/177/) — Twice in my life had I seen this same thing, and I knew that there would be an awful storm, with a spring tide, which would overwhelm the poor people who were now out on the ice, drinking, dancing, and making merry. - [178](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/178/) — Young and old, the whole city, were there; who was to warn them, if no one noticed the sign, or knew what it meant as I did? - [179](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/179/) — I was so alarmed, that I felt more strength and life than I had done for some time. - [180](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/180/) — I got out of bed, and reached the window; I could not crawl any farther from weakness and exhaustion; but I managed to open the window. - [181](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/181/) — I saw the people outside running and jumping about on the ice; I saw the beautiful flags waving in the wind; I heard the boys shouting, 'Hurrah!' and the lads and lasses singing, and everything full of merriment and joy. - [182](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/182/) — But there was the white cloud with the black spot hanging over them. - [183](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/183/) — I cried out as loudly as I could, but no one heard me; I was too far off from the people. - [184](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/184/) — Soon would the storm burst, the ice break, and all who were on it be irretrievably lost. - [185](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/185/) — They could not hear me, and to go to them was quite out of my power. - [186](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/186/) — Oh, if I could only get them safe on land! - [187](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/187/) — Then came the thought, as if from heaven, that I would rather set fire to my bed, and let the house be burnt down, than that so many people should perish miserably. - [188](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/188/) — I got a light, and in a few moments the red flames leaped up as a beacon to them. - [189](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/189/) — I escaped fortunately as far as the threshold of the door; but there I fell down and remained: I could go no farther. - [190](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/190/) — The flames rushed out towards me, flickered on the window, and rose high above the roof. - [191](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/191/) — The people on the ice became aware of the fire, and ran as fast as possible to help a poor sick woman, who, as they thought, was being burnt to death. - [192](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/192/) — There was not one who did not run. - [193](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/193/) — I heard them coming, and I also at the same time was conscious of a rush of air and a sound like the roar of heavy artillery. - [194](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/194/) — The spring flood was lifting the ice covering, which brake into a thousand pieces. - [195](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/195/) — But the people had reached the sea-wall, where the sparks were flying round. - [196](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/196/) — I had saved them all; but I suppose I could not survive the cold and fright; so I came up here to the gates of paradise. - [197](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/197/) — I am told they are open to poor creatures such as I am, and I have now no house left on earth; but I do not think that will give me a claim to be admitted here." - [198](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/198/) — Then the gates were opened, and an angel led the old woman in. - [199](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/199/) — She had dropped one little straw out of her straw bed, when she set it on fire to save the lives of so many. - [200](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/200/) — It had been changed into the purest gold--into gold that constantly grew and expanded into flowers and fruit of immortal beauty. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/) **2** [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/177/page/3/) - ← previous: [Of the Palace of the Snow Queen and What Happened There At Last](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/176/) - next →: [Soup From a Sausage Skewer](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/178/) - ↑ back to [Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/)