The Teapot

Infobox Book |
name = The Teapot
title_orig = Danish: "Theepotten"
translator =


image_caption = Lorenz Frølich illustration
author = Hans Christian Andersen
country = Denmark
language = Danish
series =
genre = Fairy tale
published_in =
publication_type =
publisher =
media_type = Print
pub_date = 1863
english_pub_date =
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"The Teapot" ("Theepotten") is a fairy tale by Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen about a teapot and her adventures. The tale was first published 1863 and demonstrates Andersen's talent for investing ordinary household objects with life, character, and personality.

Plot summary

A porcelain teapot rules the tea table. She is very proud of her handle and spout, but not quite so proud of her lid (which is cracked). She is very proud of holding the tea leaves and of being the one to pour forth her contents for thirsty humankind. One day, the teapot is dropped and the handle and spout are broken. She is given to a beggar woman who fills her with soil and plants a flowering bulb within her. The teapot then feels a happiness she has never known. At the last, the teapot is broken in two, the bulb removed to a bigger pot, and the teapot thrown away. She cherishes her memories.

Publication

The tale was first published December 1863 in "Folkekalender for Danmark". The work was republished 12 December 1871 as a part of "Fairy Tales and Stories. Fourth Volume. 1871." ("Eventyr og Historier. Fjerde Bind. 1871."). [ [http://www.andersen.sdu.dk/vaerk/register/info_e.html?vid=160 Hans Christian Andersen Center: Hans Christian Andersen: The Teapot] ]

See also

*List of works by Hans Christian Andersen
*Lorenz Frølich, early illustrator of Andersen's fairy tales

References

External links

* [http://www.andersen.sdu.dk/vaerk/hersholt/TheTeapot_e.html The Teapot] Jean Hersholt's English translation
* [http://www.andersen.sdu.dk/vaerk/hersholt/TheTeapot_e.html "Theepotten"] Original Danish text