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The Fir Tree

From Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen, by Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875) was a Danish author whose fairy tales are among the most widely read works in world literature. 'The Fir Tree' was first published in 1845. This text reflects its era; a few period terms have been modernised. Andersen's tales are not simply moralistic fables; they are psychologically acute studies of longing, vanity, sacrifice and self-deception. This story is worth a reader's time because it examines, with unflinching honesty, the cost of living always for the next thing rather than the present moment — a tension as urgent now as it was in the nineteenth century.

Band

Red · Complex language and analysisTypical starting range: ages 15–17

Length

long · about 1310 words in 5 sections · 2 pictures

Source

Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen, H. C. Andersen

First published

see the About page in the reader

Regions

Canada · United States

Included formats

• · Web reader and PDF
• · EPUB for e-readers
• · Home-print sheet
• · Folded booklet
• · Binder edition (8.5 × 11)
• · Worksheet
• · Quick Check (10 questions) with answer key
• · Read-aloud script
• · Teacher’s Edition (members)

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