Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author, fairy tale writer, and poet noted for his children's stories. These include "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," "The Snow Queen," "The Little Mermaid," "Thumbelina," "The Little Match Girl," and "The Ugly Duckling."

Rudy and Babette, written towards the end of Hans Christian Andersen’s career, tells the tale of Rudy, a boy who lost both his parents and goes to live with his uncle. Rudy had an “encounter” with The Ice Maiden who continues to interact with him into adulthood. As the story goes forward Rudy meets and falls in love with a girl, Babette, and they are to be married, but…