A Talisman of Contentment: Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tale ‘The Talisman’

In this tale from the mid-19th century, it turns out that a long-sought talisman of contentment was actually close at hand.

"Happy Lovers," circa 1760 and circa 1765, by Jean-Honoré Fragonard. Oil on canvas; 35 1/2 inches by 47 3/4 inches. Public Domain

Though the world often touts the “next best thing” as the means of obtaining happiness, in his fairy tale “The Talisman,” Hans Christian Andersen showed that true contentment is quite simple. Anyone can obtain it, if they put their mind to it.

A young prince and princess have just been married and are still on their honeymoon. Yet their minds grow restless at the thought of losing their extreme happiness.

A Talisman

In an attempt to retain their current happiness, the royal couple search for a talisman to protect them from all the unhappiness that may threaten their marriage. They visit a very famous wise man, hoping that he can provide them with the talisman they seek.

The wise man advises them: “Travel through every country in the world, and wherever you meet a completely happily married couple, ask them for a small piece of the linen they wear close to the body.” The prince and princess must then carry this piece of linen as their talisman.

"Philippe Pinel and His Family," 1807, by Julie Forestier. Oil on canvas; 57 2/5 inches by 44 4/5 inches. The happiness of a family depends on internal attitudes as much as external circumstances. Public Domain

The prince and princess obediently set out into the world and soon discover a happily married knight and his wife. The prince and princess meet the couple and ask them if they are truly happy.

The knight and his wife are indeed extremely happy, except for the fact that they have no children. Since they aren’t entirely happy, the royal couple can’t obtain a talisman from them. Subsequently, they move on.

The royal couple then meet a citizen and his wife who are said to be very happy. However, when the prince and princess ask them if they are happy, the citizen replies: “My wife and I live in perfect harmony; if only we didn’t have so many children, for they give us a lot of worries and sorrows!”

Unable to obtain the talisman from the citizen and his wife, the royal couple moves on. Yet, no matter where they go, they can’t find a perfectly happy couple.

A Talisman of Contentment

One day, they happen upon a young shepherd and his family. The shepherd jumps up and lovingly takes his infant into his arms, while his wife sets up a small meal for him to eat. As they all sit down, they look perfectly happy.

The prince and princess immediately approach this happy family and say: “You must be a truly happily married couple.” The shepherd agrees, thanking God that they have been blessed with such contentment.

Overjoyed at having found a completely happy couple, they ask the shepherd and his wife for “a small piece of the linen they wear close to the body.” However, the shepherd and his wife are so poor that they have no such article of clothing to give.

Foiled in their pursuit again, the prince and princess return discouraged to the wise man. Yet he doubts that their journey has been so fruitless and wonders if the royal couple learned anything.

Hans Christian Andersen in an 1869 photograph by Thora Hallager. Christian had the rare talent of distilling lessons into humorous stories. Public Domain

The prince replies that true contentment is rare, while the princess answers: “To be contented, one needs nothing more than simply—to be contented!” Hearing this and seeing the royal couple’s renewed love, the wise man advises them to faithfully guard their newfound talisman.

Through this story, children can learn that, no matter what the world advertises or promises, true contentment is only found within. By simply deciding to be content, they can truly attain contentment.

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