[2] The tale was first published by C. A. Reitzel in Copenhagen, Denmark on 19 May 1838 with The True Soldier (one-act verse play) and "That Was Done by the Zombie" (poem) in Three Poetical Works.

The dame has brought a pair of galoshes along that can transport whoever wears them to whatever time, place or condition in life that he desires.

Dame Care predicts that it will nevertheless make the person unhappy, wishing he was back in the present.

He is not immediately aware of what happened, but does notice that the unpaved streets are full with filth and mud.

The men have no idea what he is talking about and Knap has trouble understanding their speech, which he assumes is an accent that belongs to people of Bornholm.

For instance, he confuses a remark about the Black Plague with a reference to a cholera epidemic in the 19th century.

As the evening continues they all begin to drink more and Knap is repulsed by the vulgar behaviour of the people.

Back on Earth the lifeless body of the watchman is found and he is brought to a hospital, where they take his shoes off, breaking the spell again.

The next day the intern attends a theatrical play called My Grandmother's Spectacles in Kannike Street.

He concludes he must have had too much blood rushing to his head and wishes he could take a Russian steam bath.

During a walk the clerk meets a friend who is a poet and desires to live his life, for it seems to be much more enjoyable than his.

Then he wishes he was a lark, but is caught by a little boy and sold off to a family, where he is put inside a cage.

As the student walks away he wishes he could travel to Switzerland and Italy, whereupon he is on top of the Mont Blanc.

Andersen concludes with a quote by Solon: "Call no man happy until he rests in his grave."