What the Old Man Does is Always Right - Fairy Tale by Hans Christian Andersen

Reading time for children: 15 min

I will tell you a story that was told me when I was a little boy. Every time I thought of this story, it seemed to me more and more charming. For it is with stories as it is with many people – they become better as they grow older. I have no doubt that you have been in the country, and seen a very old farmhouse, with a thatched roof, and mosses and small plants growing wild upon it. There is a stork’s nest on the ridge of the gable, for we cannot do without the stork. The walls of the house are sloping, and the windows are low, and only one of the latter is made to open.

The baking-oven sticks out of the wall like a great knob. An elder-tree hangs over the palings; and beneath its branches, at the foot of the paling, is a pool of water, in which a few ducks are disporting themselves. There is a yard-dog too, who barks at all corners. Just such a farmhouse as this stood in a country lane; and in it dwelt an old couple, a peasant and his wife. Small as their possessions were, they had one article they could not do without, and that was a horse, which contrived to live upon the grass which it found by the side of the high road.

The old peasant rode into the town upon this horse, and his neighbors often borrowed it of him, and paid for the loan of it by rendering some service to the old couple. After a time they thought it would be as well to sell the horse, or exchange it for something which might be more useful to them. But what might this something be? „You’ll know best, old man,“ said the wife. „It is fair-day today. So ride into town, and get rid of the horse for money, or make a good exchange. Whichever you do will be right to me, so ride to the fair.“

And she fastened his neckerchief for him. For she could do that better than he could, and she could also tie it very prettily in a double bow. She also smoothed his hat round and round with the palm of her hand, and gave him a kiss. Then he rode away upon the horse that was to be sold or bartered for something else. Yes, the old man knew what he was about. The sun shone with great heat, and not a cloud was to be seen in the sky. The road was very dusty. For a number of people, all going to the fair, were driving, riding, or walking upon it.

There was no shelter anywhere from the hot sunshine. Among the rest a man came trudging along, and driving a cow to the fair. The cow was as beautiful a creature as any cow could be. „She gives good milk, I am certain,“ said the peasant to himself. „That would be a very good exchange: the cow for the horse. Hallo there! you with the cow,“ he said. „I tell you what. I dare say a horse is of more value than a cow; but I don’t care for that,– a cow will be more useful to me. So, if you like, we’ll exchange.“

„To be sure I will,“ said the man. Accordingly the exchange was made; and as the matter was settled, the peasant might have turned back. For he had done the business he came to do. But, having made up his mind to go to the fair, he determined to do so, if only to have a look at it. So on he went to the town with his cow. Leading the animal, he strode on sturdily, and, after a short time, overtook a man who was driving a sheep. It was a good fat sheep, with a fine fleece on its back.

„I should like to have that fellow,“ said the peasant to himself. „There is plenty of grass for him by our palings, and in the winter we could keep him in the room with us. Perhaps it would be more profitable to have a sheep than a cow. Shall I exchange?“ The man with the sheep was quite ready, and the bargain was quickly made. And then our peasant continued his way on the high-road with his sheep. Soon after this, he overtook another man, who had come into the road from a field, and was carrying a large goose under his arm.

„What a heavy creature you have there!“ said the peasant. „It has plenty of feathers and plenty of fat, and would look well tied to a string, or paddling in the water at our place. That would be very useful to my old woman. She could make all sorts of profits out of it. How often she has said, „If now we only had a goose!“ Now here is an opportunity, and, if possible, I will get it for her. Shall we exchange? I will give you my sheep for your goose, and thanks into the bargain.“

The other had not the least objection, and accordingly the exchange was made, and our peasant became possessor of the goose. By this time he had arrived very near the town. The crowd on the high road had been gradually increasing, and there was quite a rush of men and cattle. The cattle walked on the path and by the palings, and at the turnpike-gate they even walked into the toll-keeper’s potato-field, where one fowl was strutting about with a string tied to its leg, for fear it should take fright at the crowd, and run away and get lost.

The tail-feathers of the fowl were very short, and it winked with both its eyes, and looked very cunning, as it said „Cluck, cluck.“ What were the thoughts of the fowl as it said this I cannot tell you; but directly our good man saw it, he thought, „Why that’s the finest fowl I ever saw in my life. It’s finer than our parson’s brood hen, upon my word. I should like to have that fowl. Fowls can always pick up a few grains that lie about, and almost keep themselves. I think it would be a good exchange if I could get it for my goose. Shall we exchange?“ he asked the toll-keeper.

„Exchange,“ repeated the man. „Well, it would not be a bad thing.“ And so they made an exchange,– the toll-keeper at the turnpike-gate kept the goose, and the peasant carried off the fowl. Now he had really done a great deal of business on his way to the fair, and he was hot and tired. He wanted something to eat, and a glass of ale to refresh himself. So he turned his steps to an inn. He was just about to enter when the ostler came out, and they met at the door. The ostler was carrying a sack. „What have you in that sack?“ asked the peasant.

„Rotten apples,“ answered the ostler. „A whole sackful of them. They will do to feed the pigs with.“ – „Why that will be terrible waste,“ he replied. „I should like to take them home to my old woman. Last year the old apple-tree by the grass-plot only bore one apple, and we kept it in the cupboard till it was quite withered and rotten. It was always property, my old woman said; and here she would see a great deal of property– a whole sackful. I should like to show them to her.“

„What will you give me for the sackful?“ asked the ostler. „What will I give? Well, I will give you my fowl in exchange.“ So he gave up the fowl, and received the apples, which he carried into the inn parlor. He leaned the sack carefully against the stove, and then went to the table. But the stove was hot, and he had not thought of that. Many guests were present – horse dealers, cattle drovers, and two Englishmen. The Englishmen were so rich that their pockets quite bulged out and seemed ready to burst; and they could bet too, as you shall hear. „Hiss-s-s, hiss-s-s.“ What could that be by the stove? The apples were beginning to roast. „What is that?“ asked one.

„Why, do you know“– said our peasant. And then he told them the whole story of the horse, which he had exchanged for a cow, and all the rest of it, down to the apples. „Well, your old woman will give it you well when you get home,“ said one of the Englishmen. „Won’t there be a noise?“ – „What! Give me what?“ said the peasant. „Why, she will kiss me, and say, „what the old man does is always right.“

„Let us lay a wager on it,“ said the Englishmen. „We’ll wager you a ton of coined gold, a hundred pounds to the hundred-weight.“ – „No, a bushel will be enough,“ replied the peasant. „I can only set a bushel of apples against it, and I’ll throw myself and my old woman into the bargain. That will pile up the measure, I fancy.“ – „Done! taken!“ and so the bet was made. Then the landlord’s coach came to the door, and the two Englishmen and the peasant got in, and away they drove, and soon arrived and stopped at the peasant’s hut. „Good evening, old woman.“ – „Good evening, old man.“ – „I’ve made the exchange.“

„Ah, well, you understand what you’re about,“ said the woman. Then she embraced him, and paid no attention to the strangers, nor did she notice the sack. „I got a cow in exchange for the horse.“ – „Thank Heaven,“ said she. „Now we shall have plenty of milk, and butter, and cheese on the table. That was a capital exchange.“ – „Yes, but I changed the cow for a sheep.“ – „Ah, better still!“ cried the wife. „You always think of everything. We have just enough pasture for a sheep. Ewe’s milk and cheese, woollen jackets and stockings! The cow could not give all these, and her hair only falls off. How you think of everything!“

„But I changed away the sheep for a goose.“ – „Then we shall have roast goose to eat this year. You dear old man, you are always thinking of something to please me. This is delightful. We can let the goose walk about with a string tied to her leg, so she will be fatter still before we roast her.“ – „But I gave away the goose for a fowl.“ – „A fowl! Well, that was a good exchange,“ replied the woman. „The fowl will lay eggs and hatch them, and we shall have chickens. We shall soon have a poultry-yard. Oh, this is just what I was wishing for.“

„Yes, but I exchanged the fowl for a sack of shrivelled apples.“ – „What! I really must give you a kiss for that!“ exclaimed the wife. „My dear, good husband, now I’ll tell you something. Do you know, almost as soon as you left me this morning, I began to think of what I could give you nice for supper this evening, and then I thought of fried eggs and bacon, with sweet herbs. I had eggs and bacon, but I wanted the herbs. So I went over to the schoolmaster’s: I knew they had plenty of herbs, but the schoolmistress is very mean, although she can smile so sweetly.

I begged her to lend me a handful of herbs. „Lend!“ she exclaimed, „I have nothing to lend. Nothing at all grows in our garden, not even a shrivelled apple. I could not even lend you a shrivelled apple, my dear woman.“ But now I can lend her ten, or a whole sackful, which I’m very glad of. It makes me laugh to think about it;“ and then she gave him a hearty kiss. „Well, I like all this,“ said both the Englishmen. „Always going down the hill, and yet always merry. It’s worth the money to see it.“ So they paid a hundred-weight of gold to the peasant, who, whatever he did, was not scolded but kissed.

Yes, it always pays best when the wife sees and maintains that her husband knows best, and whatever he does is right. That is a story which I heard when I was a child; and now you have heard it too, and know that „What the old man does is always right.“

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Backgrounds to fairy tale „What the Old Man Does is Always Right“

„What the Old Man Does is Always Right“ is a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, a Danish author who is best known for his timeless stories and fairy tales. Born on April 2, 1805, in Odense, Denmark, Andersen grew up in humble circumstances. Despite the challenges of his early life, he went on to become one of the most famous and beloved writers of children’s literature.

Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales often contain moral messages and commentaries on human nature, society, and values. His stories have been translated into numerous languages and adapted into various media, including plays, films, and television programs. Some of his other famous tales include „The Little Mermaid,“ „The Ugly Duckling,“ „The Emperor’s New Clothes,“ and „The Snow Queen.“

„What the Old Man Does is Always Right“ is a lesser-known fairy tale compared to some of Andersen’s other works. It was first published in 1861 as part of his collection of stories called „New Fairy Tales.“ The story centers around an old peasant man who goes to the fair to exchange his horse, making a series of seemingly unwise trades along the way. However, his wife remains supportive and appreciative of his decisions, and their positivity and gratitude lead to their happiness and good fortune. This tale emphasizes the importance of trust, communication, and appreciation in relationships, as well as the value of a positive outlook on life.

Interpretations to fairy tale „What the Old Man Does is Always Right“

The fairy tale „What the Old Man Does is Always Right“ by Hans Christian Andersen can be interpreted in several ways. Here are a few interpretations:

Trust and Understanding in Relationships: The story highlights the significance of trust and understanding between partners in a relationship. The old woman supports her husband’s decisions without questioning him, believing in his wisdom and good intentions. This mutual trust and understanding lead to happiness and contentment in their lives.

Positivity and Appreciation: The old couple’s ability to see the bright side of every situation and appreciate the efforts they make for each other is a strong message in the story. Their attitude of gratitude and positivity in the face of seemingly poor choices shows that happiness comes from within and can be found in the simplest things in life.

Communication and Cooperation: The tale emphasizes the importance of open communication and cooperation between partners. The old couple discusses each exchange openly, and the wife readily embraces her husband’s decisions. Their ability to work together and support each other’s choices leads to their ultimate happiness.

Perception of Wealth and Happiness: The wealthy Englishmen, who initially believe that the old man’s choices would lead to his wife’s anger, are surprised to see the couple’s happiness despite their modest circumstances. This interpretation highlights that wealth and material possessions do not necessarily guarantee happiness, and that true happiness comes from appreciating and valuing what one already has.

Wisdom and Experience: The old man’s decisions, though seemingly unwise, are made with consideration and thoughtfulness. His life experience and knowledge of what would benefit his family drive his choices. This interpretation underscores the importance of respecting and valuing the wisdom and experience of older generations.

Overall, „What the Old Man Does Is Always Right“ is a tale that encourages trust in wisdom and experience, patience, contentment, and embracing life’s unpredictability.

Adaptions of the fairy tale „What the Old Man Does is Always Right“

There have been several adaptations of „What the old man does is always right“ by Hans Christian Andersen in various forms of media, including:

Theater: The story has been adapted into stage plays in different languages and countries. One notable adaptation is the 1954 musical „The Golden Apple“ by Jerome Moross and John Latouche, which is a modernized version of the tale set in America. The story has been adapted for the stage, either as a stand-alone play or as part of a larger production featuring multiple Hans Christian Andersen stories. These stage adaptations may include dialogue, songs, and choreographed scenes to bring the story to life.

Television Shows: The story has been adapted into episodes of various television shows. For instance, it was adapted into an episode of the British TV series „Tales from the Green Valley“ in 2005. Some animated films or television series dedicated to the stories of Hans Christian Andersen include an episode or short film adaptation of „What the Old Man Does Is Always Right.“ These adaptations often take creative liberties with the story, adding new characters or altering the plot to suit the medium.

Animated Films: There are several animated adaptations of the story, including the 1987 Soviet animated film „The Old Man’s Gold“ and the 2000 German animated film „What the Old Man Does is Always Right“.

Children’s books: The story has been adapted into numerous illustrated children’s books, often accompanied by colorful illustrations that help bring the characters and events to life. The story has been retold and adapted in various children’s books, including „The Old Man and His Donkey“ by Sarvendra Vikram and „What the Old Man Does is Always Right: A Danish Tale“ by Yvonne Perkins.

Audio Recordings: The tale has been retold in audio format, with storytellers or voice actors narrating the story. These recordings can be found on audiobook platforms, podcasts, and radio programs that focus on fairy tales and storytelling. There are also audio recordings of the story available, including a version narrated by actress Meryl Streep.

Educational materials: The story may be incorporated into educational materials for teaching moral values, reading comprehension, or critical thinking. These materials may include lesson plans, activity sheets, or discussion prompts that encourage students to explore the themes and lessons found within the tale.

While there may not be many adaptations of „What the Old Man Does Is Always Right“ in popular culture, the story has been retold in various forms and mediums over the years. The tale continues to be shared through various mediums and used to teach valuable lessons to children and adults alike. These adaptations have brought the timeless story to new audiences and helped to keep its message and themes relevant to modern audiences.

Summary of the plot

„What the Old Man Does is Always Right“ is a charming fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. The story revolves around an old peasant couple who live in a small farmhouse with a thatched roof. The couple owns a horse that the old man decides to sell or exchange for something more useful. His wife trusts his judgment and sends him to the fair.

On his way to the fair, the old man exchanges the horse for a cow, thinking about the milk and dairy products it would provide. He then swaps the cow for a sheep, considering the benefits of wool and sheep’s milk. Continuing his journey, he trades the sheep for a goose, dreaming of a delicious roast dinner. Finally, he exchanges the goose for a fowl, which he believes will lay eggs and create a poultry yard. In the end, he gives the fowl for a sack of shriveled apples to please his wife.

When the old man returns home, his wife praises each of his decisions, appreciating his efforts to make their lives better. Two wealthy Englishmen, who had bet the old man a ton of gold that his wife would scold him, are amazed by the couple’s happiness despite their seemingly poor choices. The Englishmen pay the bet, and the old man and his wife remain content, believing that whatever the old man does is always right. The story highlights the importance of trust and understanding in a relationship and that happiness can be found in even the simplest things in life.

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