The Goblin and the Huckster Page #2

"The Goblin and the Huckster" by Hans Christian Andersen is a delightful short tale that centers around a Goblin who is torn between his love for poetry and a huckster's generous offer of a jar of jam. The Goblin's dilemma unfolds in an enchanting, humorous and unexpected manner. In this book, Andersen weaves a story around the dichotomy of practicality and creativity, and puts forth a thought-provoking exploration of what truly matters in life.

• Children

								

things they had. The goblin had the same wish; for, with one spring,
he was up stairs and in the student's room, whom he found standing
by the open window, and looking quite calmly at the fire, which was
raging at the house of a neighbor opposite. The goblin caught up the
wonderful book which lay on the table, and popped it into his red cap,
which he held tightly with both hands. The greatest treasure in the
house was saved; and he ran away with it to the roof, and seated
himself on the chimney. The flames of the burning house opposite
illuminated him as he sat, both hands pressed tightly over his cap, in
which the treasure lay; and then he found out what feelings really
reigned in his heart, and knew exactly which way they tended. And yet,
when the fire was extinguished, and the goblin again began to reflect,
he hesitated, and said at last, "I must divide myself between the two;
I cannot quite give up the huckster, because of the jam."

And this is a representation of human nature. We are like the
goblin; we all go to visit the huckster "because of the jam."
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