The Ugly Duckling

Hans Christian Andersen's first fairy story was published in 1835 and his last in 1872. This sotry is in part an allegory of Andersen's own life, as in youth he was a poverty-striken misfit, mocked at by his school fellows. The mute swans in the illustrations breed in Denmark, and the Danish climate shapes this tale. Set in Denmark, circa late 19th century.