Nær ved Gudenå, inde i Silkeborg Skov, løfter sig en landryg, som en stor vold, den kaldes "åsen" og under den mod vest lå, ja der ligger endnu, et lille bondehus med magre jorder; sandet skinner igennem den tynde rug- og bygager. Det er nu en del år siden; folkene, som boede der, drev deres lille avling, havde dertil tre får, et svin og to stude; kort sagt, de havde det ret vel til føden, når man tager den, som man har den, ja de kunne vel også have bragt det til at holde et par heste, men de sagde, som de andre bønder derovre: "Hesten æder sig selv!" – den tærer for det gode den gør. Jeppe-Jæns drev sin lille jordlod om sommeren, og var om vinteren en flink træskomand. Han havde da også medhjælp, en karl, der forstod at skære træsko, der var både stærke, lette og med facon; ske og slev skar de; det gav skillinger, man kunne ikke kalde Jeppe-Jæns for fattigfolk.
Sådan starter HC Andersens eventyr, Ib og lille Christine. Nu skal du finde eventyret frem og svare på nogle sprørgsmål:
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In the forest that extends from the banks of the Gudenau, in North Jutland, a long way into the country, and not far from the clear stream, rises a great ridge of land, which stretches through the wood like a wall. Westward of this ridge, and not far from the river, stands a farmhouse, surrounded by such poor land that the sandy soil shows itself between the scanty ears of rye and wheat which grow in it. Some years have passed since the people who lived here cultivated these fields; they kept three sheep, a pig, and two oxen; in fact they maintained themselves very well, they had quite enough to live upon, as people generally have who are content with their lot. They even could have afforded to keep two horses, but it was a saying among the farmers in those parts, "The horse eats himself up;" that is to say, he eats as much as he earns. Jeppe Jans cultivated his fields in summer, and in the winter he made wooden shoes. He also had an assistant, a lad who understood as well as he himself did how to make wooden shoes strong, but light, and in the fashion. They carved shoes and spoons, which paid well; therefore no one could justly call Jeppe Jans and his family poor people.
This is how the fairy tale, Ib and little Christina, by HC Andersen begins. Now you have to find the fairy tale and answer some questions:
