Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) was a Danish writer, best remembered for his popular fairy tales. This fairy tale deals with the tradition of European royalty only letting their children marry people of similar high social class. As you read, note what the prince and his family think makes a good bride. This short story is for grade 5 readers. “The Princess and the Pea” by Hans Christian Anderson (1835) is in the public domain.