--- title: The Story of a Mother — Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen · full text with trees description: The Story of a Mother, «Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen» by H. C. Andersen: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: A mother sat by her little child; she was very sad, for she feared it would die. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/) [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 Story of a Mother # The Story of a Mother The Story of a Mother of «Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen» by H. C. Andersen: the whole text, 108 sentences and 2060 words. Every sentence has its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/page/2/) - [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/1/) — A mother sat by her little child; she was very sad, for she feared it would die. - [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/2/) — It was quite pale, and its little eyes were closed, and sometimes it drew a heavy deep breath, almost like a sigh; and then the mother gazed more sadly than ever on the poor little creature. - [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/3/) — Some one knocked at the door, and a poor old man walked in. - [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/4/) — He was wrapped in something that looked like a great horse-cloth; and he required it truly to keep him warm, for it was cold winter; the country everywhere lay covered with snow and ice, and the wind blew so sharply that it cut one's face. - [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/5/) — The little child had dozed off to sleep for a moment, and the mother, seeing that the old man shivered with the cold, rose and placed a small mug of beer on the stove to warm for him. - [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/6/) — The old man sat and rocked the cradle; and the mother seated herself on a chair near him, and looked at her sick child who still breathed heavily, and took hold of its little hand. - [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/7/) — "You think I shall keep him, do you not?" she said. " - [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/8/) — Our all-merciful God will surely not take him away from me." - [9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/9/) — The old man, who was indeed Death himself, nodded his head in a peculiar manner, which might have signified either Yes, or No; and the mother cast down her eyes, while the tears rolled down her cheeks. - [10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/10/) — Then her head became heavy, for she had not closed her eyes for three days and nights, and she slept, but only for a moment. - [11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/11/) — Shivering with cold, she started up and looked round the room. - [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/12/) — The old man was gone, and her child--it was gone too!--the old man had taken it with him. - [13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/13/) — In the corner of the room the old clock began to strike; "whirr" went the chains, the heavy weight sank to the ground, and the clock stopped; and the poor mother rushed out of the house calling for her child. - [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/14/) — Out in the snow sat a woman in long black garments, and she said to the mother, "Death has been with you in your room. - [15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/15/) — I saw him hastening away with your little child; he strides faster than the wind, and never brings back what he has taken away." - [16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/16/) — "Only tell me which way he has gone," said the mother; "tell me the way, I will find him." - [17](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/17/) — "I know the way," said the woman in the black garments; "but before I tell you, you must sing to me all the songs that you have sung to your child; I love these songs, I have heard them before. - [18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/18/) — I am Night, and I saw your tears flow as you sang." - [19](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/19/) — "I will sing them all to you," said the mother; "but do not detain me now. - [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/20/) — I must overtake him, and find my child." - [21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/21/) — But Night sat silent and still. - [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/22/) — Then the mother wept and sang, and wrung her hands. - [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/23/) — And there were many songs, and yet even more tears; till at length Night said, "Go to the right, into the dark forest of fir-trees; for I saw Death take that road with your little child." - [24](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/24/) — Within the wood the mother came to cross roads, and she knew not which to take. - [25](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/25/) — Just by stood a thorn-bush; it had neither leaf nor flower, for it was the cold winter time, and icicles hung on the branches. " - [26](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/26/) — Have you not seen Death go by, with my little child?" she asked. - [27](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/27/) — "Yes," replied the thorn-bush; "but I will not tell you which way he has taken until you have warmed me in your bosom. - [28](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/28/) — I am freezing to death here, and turning to ice." - [29](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/29/) — Then she pressed the bramble to her bosom quite close, so that it might be thawed, and the thorns pierced her flesh, and great drops of blood flowed; but the bramble shot forth fresh green leaves, and they became flowers on the cold winter's night, so warm is the heart of a sorrowing mother. - [30](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/30/) — Then the bramble-bush told her the path she must take. - [31](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/31/) — She came at length to a great lake, on which there was neither ship nor boat to be seen. - [32](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/32/) — The lake was not frozen sufficiently for her to pass over on the ice, nor was it open enough for her to wade through; and yet she must cross it, if she wished to find her child. - [33](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/33/) — Then she laid herself down to drink up the water of the lake, which was of course impossible for any human being to do; but the bereaved mother thought that perhaps a miracle might take place to help her. " - [34](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/34/) — You will never succeed in this," said the lake; "let us make an agreement together which will be better. - [35](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/35/) — I love to collect pearls, and your eyes are the purest I have ever seen. - [36](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/36/) — If you will weep those eyes away in tears into my waters, then I will take you to the large hothouse where Death dwells and rears flowers and trees, every one of which is a human life." - [37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/37/) — "Oh, what would I not give to reach my child!" said the weeping mother; and as she still continued to weep, her eyes fell into the depths of the lake, and became two costly pearls. - [38](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/38/) — Then the lake lifted her up, and wafted her across to the opposite shore as if she were on a swing, where stood a wonderful building many miles in length. - [39](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/39/) — No one could tell whether it was a mountain covered with forests and full of caves, or whether it had been built. - [40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/40/) — But the poor mother could not see, for she had wept her eyes into the lake. " - [41](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/41/) — Where shall I find Death, who went away with my little child?" she asked. - [42](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/42/) — "He has not arrived here yet," said an old gray-haired woman, who was walking about, and watering Death's hothouse. " - [43](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/43/) — How have you found your way here? and who helped you?" - [44](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/44/) — "God has helped me," she replied. " - [45](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/45/) — He is merciful; will you not be merciful too? - [46](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/46/) — Where shall I find my little child?" - [47](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/47/) — "I did not know the child," said the old woman; "and you are blind. - [48](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/48/) — Many flowers and trees have faded to-night, and Death will soon come to transplant them. - [49](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/49/) — You know already that every human being has a life-tree or a life-flower, just as may be ordained for him. - [50](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/50/) — They look like other plants; but they have hearts that beat. - [51](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/51/) — Children's hearts also beat: from that you may perhaps be able to recognize your child. - [52](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/52/) — But what will you give me, if I tell you what more you will have to do? - [53](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/53/) — "I have nothing to give," said the afflicted mother; "but I would go to the ends of the earth for you." - [54](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/54/) — "I can give you nothing to do for me there," said the old woman; "but you can give me your long black hair. - [55](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/55/) — You know yourself that it is beautiful, and it pleases me. - [56](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/56/) — You can take my white hair in exchange, which will be something in return." - [57](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/57/) — "Do you ask nothing more than that?" said she. " - [58](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/58/) — I will give it to you with pleasure." - [59](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/59/) — And she gave up her beautiful hair, and received in return the white locks of the old woman. - [60](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/60/) — Then they went into Death's vast hothouse, where flowers and trees grew together in wonderful profusion. - [61](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/61/) — Blooming hyacinths, under glass bells, and peonies, like strong trees. - [62](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/62/) — There grew water-plants, some quite fresh, and others looking sickly, which had water-snakes twining round them, and black crabs clinging to their stems. - [63](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/63/) — There stood noble palm-trees, oaks, and plantains, and beneath them bloomed thyme and parsley. - [64](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/64/) — Each tree and flower had a name; each represented a human life, and belonged to men still living, some in China, others in Greenland, and in all parts of the world. - [65](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/65/) — Some large trees had been planted in little pots, so that they were cramped for room, and seemed about to burst the pot to pieces; while many weak little flowers were growing in rich soil, with moss all around them, carefully tended and cared for. - [66](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/66/) — The sorrowing mother bent over the little plants, and heard the human heart beating in each, and recognized the beatings of her child's heart among millions of others. - [67](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/67/) — "That is it," she cried, stretching out her hand towards a little crocus-flower which hung down its sickly head. - [68](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/68/) — "Do not touch the flower," exclaimed the old woman; "but place yourself here; and when Death comes--I expect him every minute--do not let him pull up that plant, but threaten him that if he does you will serve the other flowers in the same manner. - [69](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/69/) — This will make him afraid; for he must account to God for each of them. - [70](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/70/) — None can be uprooted, unless he receives permission to do so." - [71](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/71/) — There rushed through the hothouse a chill of icy coldness, and the blind mother felt that Death had arrived. - [72](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/72/) — "How did you find your way hither?" asked he; "how could you come here faster than I have?" - [73](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/73/) — "I am a mother," she answered. - [74](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/74/) — And Death stretched out his hand towards the delicate little flower; but she held her hands tightly round it, and held it fast at same time, with the most anxious care, lest she should touch one of the leaves. - [75](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/75/) — Then Death breathed upon her hands, and she felt his breath colder than the icy wind, and her hands sank down powerless. - [76](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/76/) — "You cannot prevail against me," said Death. - [77](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/77/) — "But a God of mercy can," said she. - [78](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/78/) — "I only do His will," replied Death. " - [79](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/79/) — I am his gardener. - [80](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/80/) — I take all His flowers and trees, and transplant them into the gardens of Paradise in an unknown land. - [81](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/81/) — How they flourish there, and what that garden resembles, I may not tell you." - [82](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/82/) — "Give me back my child," said the mother, weeping and imploring; and she seized two beautiful flowers in her hands, and cried to Death, "I will tear up all your flowers, for I am in despair." - [83](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/83/) — "Do not touch them," said Death. " - [84](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/84/) — You say you are unhappy; and would you make another mother as unhappy as yourself?" - [85](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/85/) — "Another mother!" cried the poor woman, setting the flowers free from her hands. - [86](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/86/) — "There are your eyes," said Death. " - [87](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/87/) — I fished them up out of the lake for you. - [88](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/88/) — They were shining brightly; but I knew not they were yours. - [89](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/89/) — Take them back--they are clearer now than before--and then look into the deep well which is close by here. - [90](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/90/) — I will tell you the names of the two flowers which you wished to pull up; and you will see the whole future of the human beings they represent, and what you were about to frustrate and destroy." - [91](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/91/) — Then she looked into the well; and it was a glorious sight to behold how one of them became a blessing to the world, and how much happiness and joy it spread around. - [92](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/92/) — But she saw that the life of the other was full of care and poverty, misery and woe. - [93](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/93/) — "Both are the will of God," said Death. - [94](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/94/) — "Which is the unhappy flower, and which is the blessed one?" she said. - [95](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/95/) — "That I may not tell you," said Death; "but thus far you may learn, that one of the two flowers represents your own child. - [96](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/96/) — It was the fate of your child that you saw,--the future of your own child." - [97](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/97/) — Then the mother screamed aloud with terror, "Which of them belongs to my child? - [98](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/98/) — Tell me that. - [99](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/99/) — Deliver the unhappy child. - [100](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/100/) — Release it from so much misery. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/185/page/2/) - ← previous: [The Storm Shakes the Shield](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/184/) - next →: [The Sunbeam and the Captive](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/186/) - ↑ back to [Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/)