Share a story about something you did or created that you are proud of – but that didn’t have any immediate pay-off. You nay even have been ridicule for believing in it. Who or what helped you carry it through?

Hans Christian Andersen 1805 – 1875

Andersen is world-famous for his story-telling, and his ability to weave fantasy, moral lessons, melancholy, and poetry together with enchanting writing to explore universal themes and questions.

But the first reviews of his fairy tales were scathing. Chrildre’s books were scarce back then and the few that did exist were supposed to educate, not start the imagination. He almost gave up but his friend – scientist H.C. Ørsted – said: “Your novels may be the most succesful right now, but the fairy tales will secure your eternal fame.”

And sure enough: today his fairy tales place him among the greatest storytellers in the world literature and his birthday is celebrated as International Children’s Books Day.

PIVOTAL PEOPLE