Reading time for children: 10 min
There were once five peas in one shell, they were green, the shell was green, and so they believed that the whole world must be green also, which was a very natural conclusion. The shell grew, and the peas grew, they accommodated themselves to their position, and sat all in a row. The sun shone without and warmed the shell, and the rain made it clear and transparent; it was mild and agreeable in broad daylight, and dark at night, as it generally is; and the peas as they sat there grew bigger and bigger, and more thoughtful as they mused, for they felt there must be something else for them to do.
“Are we to sit here forever?” asked one; “shall we not become hard by sitting so long? It seems to me there must be something outside, and I feel sure of it.”
And as weeks passed by, the peas became yellow, and the shell became yellow.
“All the world is turning yellow, I suppose,” said they,—and perhaps they were right.
Suddenly they felt a pull at the shell; it was torn off, and held in human hands, then slipped into the pocket of a jacket in company with other full pods.
“Now we shall soon be opened,” said one, just what they all wanted.
“I should like to know which of us will travel furthest,” said the smallest of the five; “we shall soon see now.”
“What is to happen will happen,” said the largest pea.
“Crack” went the shell as it burst, and the five peas rolled out into the bright sunshine. There they lay in a child’s hand. A little boy was holding them tightly, and said they were fine peas for his pea-shooter. And immediately he put one in and shot it out.
“Now I am flying out into the wide world,” said he; “catch me if you can;” and he was gone in a moment.
“I,” said the second, “intend to fly straight to the sun, that is a shell that lets itself be seen, and it will suit me exactly;” and away he went.
“We will go to sleep wherever we find ourselves,” said the two next, “we shall still be rolling onwards;” and they did certainly fall on the floor, and roll about before they got into the pea-shooter; but they were put in for all that. “We shall go farther than the others,” said they.
“What is to happen will happen,” exclaimed the last, as he was shot out of the pea-shooter; and as he spoke he flew up against an old board under a garret-window, and fell into a little crevice, which was almost filled up with moss and soft earth. The moss closed itself round him, and there he lay, a captive indeed, but not unnoticed by God.
“What is to happen will happen,” said he to himself.
Within the little garret lived a poor woman, who went out to clean stoves, chop wood into small pieces and perform such-like hard work, for she was strong and industrious. Yet she remained always poor, and at home in the garret lay her only daughter, not quite grown up, and very delicate and weak. For a whole year she had kept her bed, and it seemed as if she could neither live nor die.
“She is going to her little sister,” said the woman; “I had but the two children, and it was not an easy thing to support both of them; but the good God helped me in my work, and took one of them to Himself and provided for her. Now I would gladly keep the other that was left to me, but I suppose they are not to be separated, and my sick girl will very soon go to her sister above.” But the sick girl still remained where she was, quietly and patiently she lay all the day long, while her mother was away from home at her work.
Spring came, and one morning early the sun shone brightly through the little window, and threw its rays over the floor of the room. just as the mother was going to her work, the sick girl fixed her gaze on the lowest pane of the window—“Mother,” she exclaimed, “what can that little green thing be that peeps in at the window? It is moving in the wind.”
The mother stepped to the window and half opened it. “Oh!” she said, “there is actually a little pea which has taken root and is putting out its green leaves. How could it have got into this crack? Well now, here is a little garden for you to amuse yourself with.” So the bed of the sick girl was drawn nearer to the window, that she might see the budding plant; and the mother went out to her work.
“Mother, I believe I shall get well,” said the sick child in the evening, “the sun has shone in here so brightly and warmly to-day, and the little pea is thriving so well: I shall get on better, too, and go out into the warm sunshine again.”
“God grant it!” said the mother, but she did not believe it would be so. But she propped up with the little stick the green plant which had given her child such pleasant hopes of life, so that it might not be broken by the winds; she tied the piece of string to the window-sill and to the upper part of the frame, so that the pea-tendrils might twine round it when it shot up. And it did shoot up, indeed it might almost be seen to grow from day to day.
“Now really here is a flower coming,” said the old woman one morning, and now at last she began to encourage the hope that her sick daughter might really recover. She remembered that for some time the child had spoken more cheerfully, and during the last few days had raised herself in bed in the morning to look with sparkling eyes at her little garden which contained only a single pea-plant. A week after, the invalid sat up for the first time a whole hour, feeling quite happy by the open window in the warm sunshine, while outside grew the little plant, and on it a pink pea-blossom in full bloom. The little maiden bent down and gently kissed the delicate leaves. This day was to her like a festival.
“Our heavenly Father Himself has planted that pea, and made it grow and flourish, to bring joy to you and hope to me, my blessed child,” said the happy mother, and she smiled at the flower, as if it had been an angel from God.
But what became of the other peas? Why the one who flew out into the wide world, and said, “Catch me if you can,” fell into a gutter on the roof of a house, and ended his travels in the crop of a pigeon. The two lazy ones were carried quite as far, for they also were eaten by pigeons, so they were at least of some use; but the fourth, who wanted to reach the sun, fell into a sink and lay there in the dirty water for days and weeks, till he had swelled to a great size.
“I am getting beautifully fat,” said the pea, “I expect I shall burst at last; no pea could do more that that, I think; I am the most remarkable of all the five which were in the shell.” And the sink confirmed the opinion.
But the young maiden stood at the open garret window, with sparkling eyes and the rosy hue of health on her cheeks, she folded her thin hands over the pea-blossom, and thanked God for what He had done. “I,” said the sink, “shall stand up for my pea.”

Backgrounds
Interpretations
Linguistics
„The Pea Blossom“ by Hans Christian Andersen is a tale that beautifully illustrates the unpredictability of life and the diverse paths one might take. The story begins with five peas sharing a single shell, living in their own enclosed world with a limited perspective. As they mature, their vibrant green color transitions to yellow, symbolizing readiness for a new chapter.
Their journey begins when they are picked by a young boy for his pea-shooter. Each pea then sets off on its unique adventure. The smallest pea dreams of traveling the farthest, and though it ends up in an unlikely place, it grows into something significant. The other peas meet different fates; some are eaten by pigeons, providing at least some nourishment, while one becomes bloated in a sink, deluding itself about its significance.
The narrative reaches a poignant climax when the smallest pea, having fallen into a crevice, germinates and grows, offering hope and joy to a sick young girl who watches it from her bed. This pea turns into a symbol of life and recovery for the girl, encouraging her to believe in her own healing. Her renewed spirit brings happiness to her mother, who sees the plant as a miraculous gift.
Andersen subtly contrasts the outcomes of the peas to highlight themes of ambition, purpose, and the impact one can have regardless of humble beginnings or unexpected paths. The story also emphasizes hope, nature’s miracles, and the interconnectedness of life. In the end, while some peas meet unremarkable ends, the tale suggests that significance is not inherently in one’s journey but in the impact left behind.
Hans Christian Andersen’s „The Pea Blossom“ serves as a beautifully symbolic fairy tale, illustrating different paths and outcomes in life through the metaphor of five peas in a pod. Each pea’s journey, from their humble beginnings in a shared shell to their separate fates, provides various interpretations and life lessons.
The Nature of Destiny and Individual Paths: Each pea’s eventual fate could symbolize the different paths individuals take in life. Despite starting from the same place, each pea experiences a unique journey, highlighting how life can lead us down various unforeseen routes. The story suggests that while fate plays a significant role, one’s attitude and choices also determine where one ends up.
Hope and Persistence: The tale emphasizes hope and the idea that even the smallest things can have a profound impact. The pea that grew into a plant represents the power of hope and resilience. Despite its modest beginnings and impossible odds, it brings joy and healing to a sick girl. This suggests that perseverance and maintaining hope in difficult times can lead to positive outcomes.
Role of Environment and Support: The story highlights the importance of one’s environment and the support of others. The pea that grew into a plant was nurtured by the mother and benefited from its position by the window, illustrating how support and nurturing environments can foster growth and transformation. It underscores the idea that external factors, like love and care, significantly influence one’s development and success.
Interconnectedness and Utility: The story also underscores the interconnectedness of all living things and how each being finds utility in the bigger picture. While the „adventurous“ pea finds itself in a pigeon’s crop and another in a sink, they serve their respective purposes. It reflects the idea that all beings have a role to play, whether immediately apparent or not, and that success is not always measured by one’s accomplishments but also by their contributions to the ecosystem.
Contentment and Self-Reflection: The pea that seeks to reach the sun finds itself in a less glamorous situation and humorously consoles itself in its predicament, highlighting the theme of self-contentment and acceptance. This could serve as a moral lesson about the dangers of hubris and the importance of self-awareness and contentment with one’s circumstances.
Each interpretation offers a different perspective on life, encouraging reflection on the nature of existence, the role of fate and self-determination, and the profound impact of hope and environmental support. „The Pea Blossom“ is a reminder of the complexity and beauty of the human experience, mirroring the unpredictable journey of life through the simple yet profound metaphor of peas.
The fairy tale „The Pea Blossom“ by Hans Christian Andersen offers a rich tapestry for linguistic analysis, revealing insights into themes, character development, and symbolic elements.
Narrative Structure
The tale follows a classic linear narrative structure, beginning with an exposition that introduces the peas in the shell. This is followed by a series of events leading up to their separation and individual fates. The resolution comes as the smallest pea, which was planted in the crevice, transforms into something larger and more hopeful—a thriving plant that inspires the sick girl.
Symbolism
Peas: Each pea represents different life paths and outcomes, reflecting the randomness and uncertainty of life. The story uses the characteristic of the peas as metaphors for human aspirations and experiences.
Colors: The shift from green to yellow symbolizes change and transition, hinting at growth and maturation.
The Pea Plant: This becomes a symbol of hope and resilience, particularly for the sick girl.
Themes
Transformation and Growth: The story emphasizes transformation—physically, as the peas are removed from their shell, and spiritually, as they aspire to find their purpose in the world.
Hope and Renewal: The smallest pea’s growth into a plant symbolizes renewed hope, paralleling the sick girl’s recovery and newfound enthusiasm for life.
Fate and Opportunity: The narrative explores the concept of fate („What is to happen will happen“) and how one’s environment can shape outcomes.
Characterization
The Peas: Despite being inanimate objects, Andersen personifies them to explore human-like desires and ambitions. Each pea has its own voice and perspective, reflecting diverse attitudes towards destiny.
The Sick Girl and Mother: These characters, though presented briefly, are impactful. The girl’s gradual recovery and the mother’s care highlight themes of love and faith.
Language and Style
Personification: Andersen gives life to the peas, attributing thoughts and dialogue that convey deeper human experiences and emotions.
Imagery: Vivid imagery is used to describe the growth of the pea plant and the changing environment, enhancing the reader’s visual and emotional engagement with the story.
Repetition: Phrases like „What is to happen will happen“ underscore the story’s philosophical undertone and create a rhythmic cadence.
Moral and Interpretation
The story suggests that while life presents different circumstances and challenges, perseverance and hope can lead to positive outcomes. The contrasting fates of the peas serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and the power of nurturing and care. Through the lens of the sick girl’s transformation, the tale highlights the healing power of nature and love.
Overall, the linguistic elements in „The Pea Blossom“ contribute significantly to its thematic richness and moral depth, making it a timeless piece that resonates through its gentle yet profound observations on life and destiny.
Information for scientific analysis
Fairy tale statistics | Value |
---|---|
Readability Index by Björnsson | 32.3 |
Flesch-Reading-Ease Index | 78.2 |
Flesch–Kincaid Grade-Level | 8.2 |
Gunning Fog Index | 10.7 |
Coleman–Liau Index | 7.2 |
SMOG Index | 8.1 |
Automated Readability Index | 8.8 |
Character Count | 6.840 |
Letter Count | 5.190 |
Sentence Count | 56 |
Word Count | 1.328 |
Average Words per Sentence | 23,71 |
Words with more than 6 letters | 114 |
Percentage of long words | 8.6% |
Number of Syllables | 1.642 |
Average Syllables per Word | 1,24 |
Words with three Syllables | 40 |
Percentage Words with three Syllables | 3% |