Discovering Hans Christian Andersen's 'lost fairytale'

In this episode of Witness History, host Surya Elango explores the remarkable discovery of a lost fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen titled 'The Tallow Candle' in the Danish National Archives in Odense in October 2012. The manuscript, found by genealogist Espen Brough while researching a Danish family, was a small, neatly sewn booklet written on 18th-century Dutch paper with a beehive watermark, dated to Andersen’s youth. The story, a metaphorical tale about a dirty tallow candle that regains its brightness when lit by a tinderbox, reflects Andersen’s lifelong theme of inner nobility over outer appearance. Though initially met with skepticism and accusations of forgery, researcher Einar Eskel stood by the authenticity of the find, emphasizing that the paper, handwriting, and historical context aligned with Andersen’s early years. The discovery reshapes understanding of Andersen’s creative development, revealing he was experimenting with fairy tales as a child, not just in his 30s. The tale, now preserved in the archives, symbolizes how forgotten stories can rekindle wonder and deepen our connection to history and literature.