Hansje Brinker

Compared to the Netherlands most countries have a width arrange of myths. Maybe it has to do with the landscape, the lack of rural area’s or mountains. Or it has to do with the Dutch mentality. Because compared to most nationalities the Dutch are quite down to earth. However there are some Dutch myths, and of course one of them has to do something with the dikes. The name of this myth is called Hansje Brinker.

According this legend a lockmasters son saved the Netherlands form a disastrous disaster. On a stormy day Hansje Brinker discovers a tiny hole inside the dike. Without hesitation he decides to put his finger inside the hole. By doing this he literally defends his city with bare hands for twenty four hours. The funny thing about this myth is that is better known outside the Netherlands than inside. The reason for this is probably very simple. Since this myth came into existence after the book Hansje Brinker by Mary Mapes Dodge was published. In this book Mary tries to describe the typical Dutch life of the early 19 century, by describe the Dutch life she uses typical Dutch landmarks and habits such as the dikes and ice skating. Probably she used the myth to tell her readers the consequences of a mistake in the Dutch dikes. However Mary Mapes Dodge wrote her book, while she never visited the Netherlands.