Andersen's lively tales isare full of beautiful images, noble characters and inspiring triumphs. ItThey captures some of the best elements of the human spirit. Yet aAndersen's own life was filled with hardships and sadness. Born too poor parents in Odense, Denmark, Andersen lost his father when he was 11 years old. At the age of 14, he left home and moved to the capital, cCopenhagen, to try to make a decent life for himself. After finishing school, Andersen began writing Ppoems, Pplays, and Nnovels. He enjoyed some success, but life remained difficult?. Hoping to add to his meagere income, stories for children, which he called "trifles," were written. Themy proved to be extremely popular, but for a long time he considered less importanter than his writings for adults.