The tale 'Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates' by the American writer Mary Mapes Dodge (1831-1905) is first and foremost a fascinating journey to the fairy-tale Holland which appears to be the country of wonderful lakes and canals, windmills and luxurious tulips, of the interesting history and ancient traditions. The main heroes of the story are children — brother and sister from the poor family who help their mother in day-to-day work and are not always able to go to school. But they do not feel chagrined because of this — they dream to cure their sick father, to win at the skating races and to get the main prize — the silver skates. Perseverance, strength of will and belief in the good help them to realize their dreams and the readers form the impression that they, in some queer way, manage to be inside of a fairy tale.
