Danish experts believe they have found the first fairy tale
written by Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875). Titled
"Tællelyset" (The Tallow Candle), the ink-written manuscript was
found by local historian Esben Brage. Brage made the discovery
in October, 2012, in an archive on the island of Funen where the
Danish author was born. Historians have confirmed that the six-
page manuscript was indeed written by Andersen. They dated the
document to the mid-1820s, when the writer was about eighteen.
The Tallow Candle Note: Before there was electricity and
electric lights, people used candles. Candles could be made from
tallow. Tallow is a rendered form of mutton fat, processed from
suet. It is solid at room temperature. Unlike suet, tallow can
be stored for extended periods without the need for
refrigeration to prevent decomposition, provided it is kept in
an airtight container to prevent oxidation. It sizzled and
fizzled as the flames fired the cauldron. It was the Tallow
Candle’s cradle - and out of the warm cradle