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ll its gilding； and looked like wetearth； but it had an opinion； and it spoke it thus：…
〃Gilding will fade in damp weather；
To endure； there is nothing like leather。〃
But the tin soldier did not believe any such thing。
THE END。
1872
FAIRY TALES OF HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN
THE OLD STREET LAMP
by Hans Christian Andersen
DID you ever hear the story of the old street lamp？ It is notremarkably interesting； but for once in a way you may as well listento it。 It was a most respectable old lamp； which had seen many； manyyears of service； and now was to retire with a pension。 It was thisevening at its post for the last time； giving light to the street。 Hisfeelings were something like those of an old dancer at the theatre；who is dancing for the last time； and knows that on the morrow shewill be in her garret； alone and forgotten。 The lamp had very greatanxiety about the next day； for he knew that he had to appear forthe first time at the town hall； to be inspected by the mayor andthe council； who were to decide if he were fit for further serviceor not；… whether the lamp was good enough to be used to light theinhabitants of one of the suburbs； or in the country； at some factory；and if not； it would be sent at once to an iron foundry； to bemelted down。 In this latter case it might be turned into anything； andhe wondered very much whether he would then be able to remember thathe had once been a street lamp； and it troubled him exceedingly。Whatever might happen； one thing seemed certain； that he would beseparated from the watchman and his wife； whose family he lookedupon as his own。 The lamp had first been hung up on that veryevening that the watchman； then a robust young man； had entered uponthe duties of his office。 Ah； well； it was a very long time sinceone became a lamp and the other a watchman。 His wife had a littlepride in those days； she seldom condescended to glance at the lamp；excepting when she passed by in the evening； never in the daytime。 Butin later years； when all these；… the watchman； the wife； and the lamp…had grown old； she had attended to it； cleaned it； and supplied itwith oil。 The old people were thoroughly honest； they had nevercheated the lamp of a single drop of the oil provided for it。
This was the lamp's last night in the street； and to…morrow hemust go to the town…hall；… two very dark things to think of。 No wonderhe did not burn brightly。 Many other thoughts also passed throughhis mind。 How many persons he had lighted on their way； and how muchhe had seen； as much； very likely； as the mayor and corporationthemselves！ None of these thoughts were uttered aloud； however； for hewas a good； honorable old lamp； who would not willingly do harm to anyone； especially to those in authority。 As many things were recalled tohis mind； the light would flash up with sudden brightness； he had；at such moments； a conviction that he would be remembered。 〃Therewas a handsome young man once；〃 thought he； 〃it is certainly a longwhile ago； but I remember he had a little note； written on pinkpaper with a gold edge； the writing was elegant； evidently a lady'shand： twice he read it through； and kissed it； and then looked up atme； with eyes that said quite plainly； 'I am the happiest of men！'Only he and I know what was written on this his first letter fromhis lady…love。 Ah； yes； and there was another pair of eyes that Iremember；… it is really wonderful how the thoughts jump from one thingto another！ A funeral passed through the street； a young and beautifulwoman lay on a bier； decked with garlands of flowers； and attendedby torches； which quite overpowered my light。 All along the streetstood the people from the houses； in crowds； ready to join theprocession。 But when the torches had passed from before me； and Icould look round； I saw one person alone； standing； leaning against mypost； and weeping。 Never shall I forget the sorrowful eyes that lookedup at me。〃 These and similar reflections occupied the old street lamp；on this the last time that his light would shine。 The sentry； whenhe is relieved from his post； knows at least who will succeed him； andmay whisper a few words to him； but the lamp did not know hissuccessor； or he could have given him a few hints respecting rain；or mist； and could have informed him how far the moon's rays wouldrest on the pavement； and from which side the wind generally blew； andso on。
On the bridge over the canal stood three persons； who wished toremend themselves to the lamp； for they thought he could give theoffice to whomsoever he chose。 The first was a herring's head； whichcould emit light in the darkness。 He remarked that it would be a greatsaving of oil if they placed him on the lamp…post。 Number two was apiece of rotten wood； which also shines in the dark。 He consideredhimself descended from an old stem； once the pride of the forest。The third was a glow…worm； and how he found his way there the lampcould not imagine； yet there he was； and could really give light aswell as the others。 But the rotten wood and the herring's headdeclared most solemnly； by all they held sacred； that the glow…wormonly gave light at certain times； and must not be allowed to petewith themselves。 The old lamp assured them that not one of themcould give sufficient light to fill the position of a street lamp； butthey would believe nothing he said。 And when they discovered that hehad not the power of naming his successor； they said they were veryglad to hear it； for the lamp was too old and worn…out to make aproper choice。
At this moment the wind came rushing round the corner of thestreet； and through the air…holes of the old lamp。 〃What is this Ihear？〃 said he； 〃that you are going away to…morrow？ Is this eveningthe last time we shall meet？ Then I must present you with a farewellgift。 I will blow into your brain； so that in future you shall notonly be able to remember all that you have seen or heard in thepast； but your light within shall be so bright； that you shall be ableto understand all that is said or done in your presence。〃
〃Oh； that is really a very； very great gift；〃 said the old lamp；〃I thank you most heartily。 I only hope I shall not be melted down。〃
〃That is not likely to happen yet；〃 said the wind； 〃and I willalso blow a memory into you； so that should you receive othersimilar presents your old age will pass very pleasantly。〃
〃That is if I am not melted down；〃 said the lamp。 〃But should I inthat case still retain my memory？〃
〃Do be reasonable； old lamp；〃 said the wind； puffing away。
At this moment the moon burst forth from the clouds。 〃What willyou give the old lamp？〃 asked the wind。
〃I can give nothing；〃 she replied； 〃I am on the wane； and no lampshave ever given me light while I have frequently shone upon them。〃 Andwith these words the moon hid herself again behind the clouds； thatshe might be saved from further importunities。 Just then a drop fellupon the lamp； from the roof of the house； but the drop explained thathe was a gift from those gray clouds； and perhaps the best of allgifts。 〃I shall perate you so thoroughly；〃 he said； 〃that youwill have the power of being rusty； and； if you wish it； to crumbleinto dust in one night。〃
But this seemed to the lamp a very shabby present； and the windthought so too。 〃Does no one give any more？ Will no one give anymore？〃 shouted the breath of the wind； as loud as it could。 Then abright falling star came down； leaving a broad； luminous streak behindit。
〃What was that？〃 cried the herring's head。 〃Did not a star fall？ Ireally believe it went into the lamp。 Certainly； when such high…bornpersonages try for the office； we may as well say 'Good…night；' and gohome。〃
And so they did； all three； while the old lamp threw a wonderfullystrong light all around him。
〃This is a glorious gift；〃 said he； 〃the bright stars havealways been a joy to me； and have always shone more brilliantly than Iever could shine； though I have tried with my whole might； and nowthey have noticed me； a poor old lamp； and have sent me a gift thatwill enable me to see clearly everything that I remember； as if itstill stood before me； and to be seen by all those who love me。 Andherein lies the truest pleasure； for joy which we cannot share withothers is