Heartache
by Hans Christian Andersen · from Collected Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
I met Grandma and her little dog, Puggie. Grandma came to a house. I saw them.
Grandma tried to write. It was hard. She sighed. Puggie growled.
Grandma said Puggie was old. He was a good dog. He was grumpy at times. Children played with him.
I thought this part was not big. It did not seem to matter much.
One week later, Puggie went to sleep for good. He was gone.
I stayed in a town. From my window, I saw a yard. Puggie was buried there.
Grandma's children made a special place for Puggie. They wanted to show their love. They made a pretty grave. They put bright flowers on it.
The Big Boy had an idea. "Let's show Puggie's grave," he said. Children must give one button.
Many children came to the yard. They gave their buttons. They saw Puggie's grave. It was a good sight for them to see.
A little girl stood outside the gate. She had no button to give. She could not go inside. She looked very sad and alone.
All the children left the yard. The little girl sat down on the ground. She put her hands on her eyes. She cried big, sad tears. She felt very, very sad inside.
I saw this from my window high up. It was a very sad thing to see. Her sadness was big and real.
This story shows me a thing. Even small things can make a person sad. All people's feelings are big. I learned this that day. A small sadness can feel very, very big.
Original Story
Heartache
A fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen
The story we have for you here is really divided into two parts. The first part could be omitted, but it gives us some preliminary information which is useful.
We were staying at a manor house in the country, and it happened that the owner was absent for a day or so. Meanwhile a lady with a pug dog arrived from the next town; come, she explained, to dispose of the shares in her tannery. She had her certificates with her, and we advised her to seal them in an envelope and to write on it the address of the proprietor of the estate, "General War Commissary, Knight," etc.
She listened to us, took up the pen, then hesitated, and begged us to repeat the address slowly. We complied and she wrote, but in the middle of the "General War--" she stopped, sighed, and said, "I'm only a woman!" While she wrote, she had placed her Puggie on the floor, and he was growling, for the dog had come with her for pleasure and health's sake, and a visitor shouldn't be placed on the floor. He was characterized outwardly by a snub nose and a fleshy back.
"He doesn't bite," said the woman. "He hasn't any teeth. He's like one of the family, faithful and grouchy; but the latter is the fault of my grandchildren for teasing him. They play wedding, and want to make him the bridesmaid, and that's too strenuous for the poor old fellow."
Then she delivered her certificates and took Puggie up in her arms. And that's the first part of the story, which could have been omitted.
Puggie died! That's the second part.
About a week later we arrived in the town and put up at the inn. Our windows looked out into the tannery yard, which was divided into two parts by a wooden fence; in one section were hides and skin caps, raw and tanned. Here was all the equipment for carrying on a tanning business, and it belonged to the widow. Puggie had died that morning and was to be buried in this section of the yard. The widow's grandchildren (that is, the tanner's widow's, for Puggie had never married) covered the grave-a grave so beautiful it must have been quite pleasant to lie there.
The grave was bordered with broken flowerpots and strewn over with sand; at its head they had stuck up a small beer bottle with the neck upward, and that wasn't at all symbolic.
The children danced around the grave, and then the oldest of the boys, a practical youngster of seven, proposed that there should be an exhibition of Puggie's grave for everybody living in the street. The price of admission would be one trouser button; that was something every boy would be sure to have and which he also could give to the little girls. This suggestion was adopted by acclamation.
And all the children from the street, and even from the little lane behind, came, and each gave a button. Many were seen that afternoon going about with one suspender, but then they had seen Puggie's grave, and that sight was worth it.
But outside the tannery yard, close to the entrance, stood a ragged little girl, very beautiful, with the prettiest curly hair, and eyes so clear and blue that it was a pleasure to look into them. She didn't say a word, nor did she cry, but every time the gate was opened she looked into the yard as long as she could. She had no button, as she knew very well, so she had to stand sorrowfully outside, until all the others had seen the grave and everyone had left. Then she sat down, put her little brown hands before her eyes, and burst into tears, for she alone hadn't seen Puggie's grave. It was a heartache as great as any grown-up can experience.
We saw this from above-and seen from above, this, like many of our own and others' griefs could, made us smile! That's the story, and anyone who doesn't understand it can go and buy a share in the widow's tannery.
- * * * *
Story DNA
Moral
The intensity of suffering is relative to the individual's experience and perspective, and what seems trivial to one can be profoundly heartbreaking to another.
Plot Summary
A narrator recounts an initial, seemingly trivial encounter with a woman and her pug, Puggie. When Puggie dies, the woman's grandchildren create an elaborate grave and charge other children a trouser button for admission to see it. A poor, ragged little girl, lacking a button, is excluded from this event and weeps inconsolably, experiencing a profound 'heartache.' The narrator observes this from a detached perspective, concluding with a cynical remark about understanding the story's meaning.
Themes
Emotional Arc
indifference to sorrow to detached amusement
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Andersen often critiqued societal norms and highlighted the plight of the poor, even within seemingly simple tales. The 'General War Commissary, Knight' title reflects a specific social hierarchy.
Plot Beats (13)
- Narrator recounts meeting a lady with a pug dog, Puggie, who is there to handle tannery shares.
- The lady struggles to write an address, sighing, 'I'm only a woman!', while Puggie growls on the floor.
- The lady describes Puggie as an old, faithful, grouchy family member, often teased by grandchildren.
- The narrator dismisses this initial anecdote as potentially omittable.
- Puggie dies about a week later.
- The narrator, staying at an inn, observes the tannery yard where Puggie is to be buried.
- The widow's grandchildren create a beautiful, decorated grave for Puggie.
- The oldest boy proposes an exhibition of Puggie's grave, charging one trouser button for admission.
- Many children from the street pay their buttons and view the grave, some losing suspenders in the process.
- A poor, ragged, beautiful little girl stands outside, unable to enter because she has no button.
- After everyone else has left, the little girl sits down and cries profoundly, experiencing a 'heartache' as great as any adult's.
- The narrator, observing from above, finds the scene, like many griefs, causes a smile.
- The narrator concludes by stating the story's meaning and suggesting those who don't understand buy shares in the tannery.
Characters
Puggie ◆ supporting
Snub nose, fleshy back, no teeth
Attire: None (potentially a makeshift bridesmaid's outfit at times)
Faithful, grouchy, easily annoyed
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, stout anthropomorphic pug dog with a wrinkled face and large, soulful brown eyes. He wears a tiny embroidered vest over a cream-colored shirt, with rolled-up sleeves, and brown trousers held up by suspenders. His posture is slightly hunched, as if offering assistance, with one paw extended forward in a helpful gesture. He stands in a whimsical forest clearing with soft dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. His expression is loyal and earnest, with a slight, friendly smile. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Widow ◆ supporting
Not described
Attire: Inferred: Practical dress suitable for a tanner's widow, dark colors
Business-minded, tolerant (of her grandchildren)
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged woman with a solemn, dignified expression, her pale skin contrasting with deep mourning attire. She wears a high-necked, long-sleeved black dress of heavy fabric, with a sheer black veil pinned back from her face by a small jet cameo brooch. Her dark hair is neatly pulled back beneath a simple black hat. She stands straight but with a slight, weary slump in her posture, one hand lightly touching the cameo at her throat. Her gaze is distant and sorrowful. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Ragged Little Girl ◆ supporting
Ragged clothing
Attire: Ragged, simple clothing
Sensitive, longing, easily saddened
Image Prompt & Upload
A young girl, around eight years old, with a thin, weary face and large, sad eyes. Her tangled, dirty blonde hair is in two messy braids. She wears a faded, patched dress that is too short and torn at the hem, with bare, dirty feet. She stands slightly hunched, hugging herself for warmth, looking directly at the viewer with a forlorn expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Oldest Boy ○ minor
Not described
Attire: Inferred: Simple children's clothing of the time
Practical, enterprising
Image Prompt & Upload
A young adolescent boy around thirteen years old with a lean build and a thoughtful expression. He has messy, sandy-brown hair and wears a simple, slightly worn tunic of undyed linen over dark trousers and sturdy leather boots. His posture is attentive, standing straight with his shoulders back as if listening carefully to instructions. He holds a small, smooth wooden stick in one hand. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Manor House Room
A room in a country manor house where a lady arrives to dispose of tannery shares.
Mood: Calm, businesslike, slightly humorous due to the pug's presence.
The lady discusses her tannery shares and the narrator observes her interaction with her pug.
Image Prompt & Upload
Late afternoon light filters through tall, mullioned windows with heavy green velvet curtains, casting long, dramatic shadows across the polished oak floor of a grand country manor room. The air is still and formal. Dark wood paneling lines the walls, interspersed with somber oil portraits in gilded frames. A large, unlit marble fireplace dominates one wall, its mantel holding a single, ticking ormolu clock. In the center of the room, a massive mahogany writing desk sits upon a faded Persian rug, its surface bare except for a single sheet of parchment and a cut crystal inkwell. Dust motes drift in the slanted sunbeams. The atmosphere is one of quiet, serious business and inherited wealth. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Tannery Yard
A yard divided by a wooden fence, with hides, skin caps, and tanning equipment.
Mood: Busy, slightly morbid due to the tannery setting, but also playful with the children's activities.
Puggie is buried and the children create an exhibition of his grave.
Image Prompt & Upload
Dusk settles over a secluded tannery yard, framed by moss-covered stone walls and a weathered wooden fence. The air is thick with a hazy, golden mist. Wooden frames hold stretched, drying hides in shades of deep burgundy and pale cream. Rough wooden barrels and iron hooks line the space. A worn leather apron hangs on a post. The ground is damp, cobblestones slick with moisture, reflecting the last light from a single, flickering lantern. The atmosphere is quiet and industrious, with deep browns, rich reds, and shadowy greens. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
Puggie's Grave
A small grave bordered with broken flowerpots and strewn with sand, marked with a beer bottle.
Mood: Playful, slightly absurd, tinged with sadness.
The children dance around the grave and charge admission for viewing it.
Image Prompt & Upload
At twilight, a small, weathered grave lies nestled in a quiet clearing, bordered by shards of broken terracotta flowerpots half-buried in the earth. The ground is gently strewn with pale, fine sand, and a single empty beer bottle, its glass catching the last amber light, stands as a makeshift marker. Soft mist clings to the low grass, and a few fading wildflowers sprout among the potsherds. The atmosphere is still and melancholic, bathed in the cool blues and purples of dusk with a single ray of fading sunlight illuminating the bottle's neck. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Outside the Tannery Gate
The entrance to the tannery yard, where a ragged little girl stands.
Mood: Exclusionary, sorrowful, poignant.
The little girl is excluded from seeing Puggie's grave and cries from heartache.
Image Prompt & Upload
Late afternoon under a heavy overcast sky, the cobblestone lane leads to the massive, weathered oak gates of the tannery yard. The gates are slightly ajar, revealing a glimpse of the muddy yard within, where wooden racks hold stretched, drying hides. The air feels damp and thick. Muted colors of grey stone, brown wood, and the dull yellow of old leather dominate. A rusty iron lantern hangs unlit beside the gate. Discarded scraps of leather and straw litter the wet ground. The scene is quiet, somber, and textured with the wear of hard labor. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
