The Fir-Tree by Hans Christian Andersen

This delightful fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, originally published in 1844 and included in The Children’s Book of Christmas Stories (1913), tells the story of a fir tree eager to grow tall and accomplish grand things, yet struggles to appreciate the present. It’s a wonderful read for the Christmas season and is featured in our . Stories for Christmass Collection Out in the woods stood a nice little Fir-tree. The place he had was a very good one; the sun shone on him; as to fresh air, there was enough of that, and round him grew many large-sized comrades, pines as well as firs. But the little Fir wanted so very much to be a grown-up tree. He did not think of the warm sun and of the fresh air; he did not care for the little cottage children that ran about and prattled when they were in the woods looking for wild strawberries. The children often came with a whole pitcher full of berries, or a long row of them threaded on a straw, and sat down near the young tree and said, &qu…