The Emperor's New Suit
This story is so hilarious; it feels like modern humor, like something you would see a version of in a sitcom! The moral is great, and it's definitely relatable. I have definitely felt inferior to all my peers before, only to realize later that everyone was just pretending to be in the know. I especially liked the ending, where the town all cries that the emperor is wearing nothing, but it is too late for him to admit it. He now knows that the cloth doesn't exist, and he knows that his subjects know it, but he must continue to parade nakedly with his chin high. It's pretty pathetic, although I don't blame him because I think I would have made the same choices along the way if I were in the same situation (even though they're the wrong choices, it would be so hard to be honest about not being suited for your position).
The Brave Tin Soldier
I love this story! I think the soldier's bravery is so sweet and honorable, and when he melted into a heart at the end, I felt my heart melt too! My great aunt had a mirror "lake" with glass swans on it and soldier toys, so reading this story felt like going back to her house. I chuckled at how the soldier stood so still, not even blinking, and wouldn't even call out to the boy for help. He was so proud, but in a way that felt humble like a child, and he wanted to honor his position as a soldier as well as he could. I thought his love for the paper dancer was extremely pure and sweet, and although I was saddened by the ending, I'm happy that they ended up together in some capacity. For some reason, this story reminds me of the Nutcracker, which is a very good thing.
Tin soldiers, Royal Ontario Museum. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Bibliography: Fairy Tales and Stories by Hans Christian Andersen, translated by H. P. Paull. Link to the reading online.
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