The Ice-Maiden by Hans Christian Andersen. Short summary

5 seconds

Little Rudy was kissed in the high Alps by the Ice Maiden, and he lost his childish cheerfulness. When he became a young man, he wooed the miller’s daughter. But the Ice Maiden took her side: the young man drowned in Lake Geneva.

1 minute

When one-year-old Rudy’s father died, his mother decided to return to her relatives. While crossing the Alps, the woman died. People found Rudy, but because he was kissed by the Ice Maiden, the child was not like merry children.

At first the little boy was brought up by his grandfather, and afterwards he was taken in by his uncle. He taught the boy to hunt game, to escape an avalanche, and to be a guide.

Many girls looked at the handsome Rudy, but he set out to marry the daughter of a rich miller. The bride’s father set a condition: bring him a live eagle chick. It took Rudy all his skill to reach the nest.

Having received the eaglet, the miller consented to the wedding. But the bride and groom overcame many more difficulties. A cousin had wooed Babette, and Rudy had met the Ice Maiden in the mountains.

On the eve of their wedding, the young couple went to Villeneuve. Babette wanted to get to the island. When the couple got there, Rudy did not tie the boat, and she sailed. The young man rushed after her, but the Ice Maiden caught up with him in the water. Her kiss this time proved fatal.