Zoo mooi als zonneschijn. Het Kaarsemannetje

by Ida (Ida Sarah) Heijermans

"Zoo mooi als zonneschijn. Het Kaarsemannetje" by Ida Heijermans is a children's story written in the early 20th century. This tale weaves together fantasy and morality, exploring themes of love, loss, and the essence of true happiness through the eyes of its young protagonists. The initial narrative focuses on a blind king suffering from the heartache of not being able to see his beloved children, especially his youngest daughter, Wanda. The opening of the story introduces the blind king, who has returned home victorious from war, yet emotionally defeated by his inability to see. His dreams lead him to seek something "as beautiful as sunshine" to heal his blindness, prompting a quest among his children. Wanda expresses her determination to join her brothers in the search, defying her father’s protective instincts. In parallel, the tale of a young girl named Milly is also begun, who copes with loneliness and longing for familial love in the wake of her mother's death and her father's absence. The blend of these two narratives sets the stage for a poignant exploration of vision, both physical and emotional, through the quest for joy and connection.