THE HAPPY FAMILY

In “The Happy Family,” Andersen spins a tale around the simple, yet content lives of two aged snails residing in a sprawling forest of burdocks, which to them represents the entire world. These snails, having led a life of isolation from the humdrum of the outside world, harbor a belief that their lineage is of high distinction, primarily because the forest was said to have been planted for their kind. With no offspring of their own, they adopt a little snail, bringing it up with grand tales of their ancestors being boiled and served on silver dishes—a fate they believe to be highly genteel, despite not fully understanding what it entails.

Following a rainy day conversation where Dame Snail expresses a quaint desire to explore beyond their burdock kingdom and perhaps, to be served up in the manor-house as their ancestors were, they confront the reality of their existence—they have no heirs to pass on their burdock forest. They decide the little snail must marry, but finding a suitable mate within their limited world proves to be a challenge. Dismissing common black snails without homes as unsuitable, they initially consider commissioning ants to find a mate before deciding on gnats, who eventually locate a potential bride on a gooseberry bush a hundred human paces away.

The narrative gently unfolds over the course of a week, as the bride-to-be makes her way to the old snails’ burdock forest—a journey that, in its length, assures them of her quality. The wedding, a low-key affair devoid of much festivity to suit the sensibilities of the old snails, culminates in the passing down of the burdock forest as a dowry from the adoptive parents to the newlyweds, alongside the reiteration of their long-held belief that the forest is the pinnacle of their world.

Andersen, through this fairy tale, explores themes of contentment, the simplicity of life, and the generational perpetuation of values and beliefs, all wrapped in the idyllic setting of a garden taken over by burdocks—a place that, to its inhabitants, is the most magnificent world. The story, with its anthropomorphic characters, leisurely pace, and focus on the natural world, mirrors the simplicity and depth characteristic of Andersen’s fairy tales, inviting readers to reflect on what constitutes true happiness and the importance of heritage.