The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep

The shepherdess and the chimney sweep, two porcelain figurines, love each other and live happily side by side. But the Grand-General-Commander-in-Chief Jambe-de-Bouc wants to marry the Shepherdess. For this, he gets his hand from his so-called grandfather, the Chinaman figure. Refusing this arrangement, she decides to run away with her beloved. In their flight, they take refuge in a small theater of playing cards. Then, seeing themselves still being chased, they decide to go towards the big world through the chimney, dark and frightening. But the immensity of the outside terrifies them. They then decide to retrace their steps, with the hope of finding another solution to continue living their love. Published in 1845, this love tale is a romance between objects, as in the little tin soldier, but which here ends well! It is also this tale that served as the plot for the film "The King and the Bird" by Paul Grimault in 1980. According to Hans Christian Andersen, Translation: Pierre Crooks, Illustrations: Charlotte Cottereau, 32 pages.