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The Tinderbox — cover illustration
Classic story

The Tinderbox

by H. C. Andersen

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A weary soldier returning home from war encounters a frightful old witch who offers him treasure in exchange for retrieving an old tinder-box. She guides him down into a hollow tree where he discovers three chambers, each guarded by a dog with increasingly enormous eyes. The soldier bravely commands the dogs to help him fill his pockets and knapsack with copper, silver, and finally gold. After securing his wealth, he refuses to give up the tinder-box and cuts off the witch's head. He travels to a nearby town and lives luxuriously, but soon spends all his money and is left penniless in a garret. Remembering the tinder-box, he discovers it summons the dogs whenever he strikes the flint. Using this power, he secretly visits the princess by having one of the dogs carry her to him. The king and queen become suspicious after the princess recounts her strange dreams and set a trap to catch the intruder. When the soldier is caught, he is imprisoned and sentenced to be hanged the next day. He sends for his tinder-box just in time to summon the three giant dogs at his execution. The loyal dogs defeat the king's soldiers and officials, forcing them to release him. The grateful people declare the soldier their new king because of his bravery and magical aid. He marries the beautiful princess, and they live happily ever after with their magical companions.

How it begins

A soldier came marching along the high road: "Left, right--left, right." He had his knapsack on his back, and a sword at his side; he had been to the wars, and was now returning home. As he walked on, he met a very frightful-looking old witch in the road. Her under-lip hung quite down on her chest, and she stopped and said, "Good evening, soldier; you have a very fine sword, and a large knapsack, and you are a real soldier; so you shall have as much money as ever you like." "Thank you, old witch," said the soldier. "Do you see that large tree," said the witch, pointing to a tree which stood beside them. "Well, it is quite…

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