The Tinderbox

A soldier came marching along the high road: one, two! one, two! He had his knapsack on his back and his sword at his side, for he had been to the wars and was now returning home. As he marched along, he met an old witch on the road. She was hideously ugly, with a long pointed chin and a wart on her nose. Good evening, soldier, she said. What a fine sword you have and what a big knapsack. You are a real soldier. I shall give you all the money you desire.

Thank you, old witch, said the soldier. But where is the money? Can you see that large tree? said the witch, pointing to a great hollow oak. It is quite hollow inside. You must climb to the top and then you will see a hole through which you can let yourself down into the tree. I will tie a rope round your waist so I can pull you up again. When you reach the bottom, you will find yourself in a great hall lit by three hundred lamps. You will see three doors. Open the first and you will see a large chest with a dog sitting on it. The dog has eyes as big as teacups, but do not mind that. Put him on my apron and take what you like from the chest. In the second chamber sits a dog with eyes as big as millstones, and in the third, a dog with eyes as big as the Round Tower of Copenhagen. Put each on my apron and help yourself. But bring me my old tinderbox that my grandmother forgot down there.

The soldier climbed the rope and lowered himself into the hollow tree. He found the three chambers just as the witch had described. In the first, the dog with teacup eyes sat on a chest of copper coins. The soldier filled his pockets, placed the dog on the witch's apron, and moved on. In the second chamber, the dog with millstone eyes guarded a chest of silver. The soldier emptied his pockets of copper and filled them with silver. In the third, the terrible dog with eyes as big as towers sat on a chest of pure gold. The soldier dumped the silver and filled his knapsack, his pockets, his boots, and his cap with gold pieces. He also found the old tinderbox and stuffed it in his pocket.

The witch hauled him up. When he stood on the road again, he asked what she wanted with the tinderbox. That is none of your business, she snapped. You have your money, now give me the tinderbox. Not so fast, said the soldier. Tell me what you want with it, or I shall draw my sword and cut off your head. I will not tell you, she shrieked. Then off with your head, said the soldier, and he cut off the witch's head. He tied the money in her apron, slung it over his shoulder, put the tinderbox in his pocket, and walked into the town.

Now he was rich. He took the finest rooms at the best inn, had his boots polished and his clothes made in the latest fashion, and lived like a prince. He gave money to the poor and told wonderful stories of his adventures. People said he was a generous and remarkable man. But money goes as quickly as it comes. Before long the soldier had spent every last coin and was poor again. He had to leave his fine rooms and move to a tiny garret under the roof. None of his rich friends came to visit him anymore.

One dark evening, he needed a light and remembered the tinderbox. He struck it once, and before him stood the dog from the first chamber with eyes like teacups. What are your orders, master? said the dog. The soldier was astonished. He told the dog to bring him money, and in a moment the dog returned with a bag of copper. He struck the tinderbox twice and the second dog appeared, bringing silver. He struck it three times and the great dog with tower eyes appeared, bringing gold. Now the soldier was rich again and moved back to his fine rooms.

The soldier heard about the king's beautiful daughter, who was kept locked in a copper castle surrounded by walls and towers. The king had proclaimed that anyone who could discover where the princess went each night would win her hand. The soldier used the dogs to carry the sleeping princess to his room and back each night. The queen discovered footprints leading from the princess's bed to the soldier's door and told the king. The soldier was arrested and thrown into prison, sentenced to hang.

On the day of the execution, the soldier begged to be allowed to smoke one last pipe of tobacco. The king consented, and the soldier struck the tinderbox one, two, three times. All three dogs appeared in a flash, with eyes like teacups, millstones, and towers. They seized the judges and the councilors and tossed them high into the air. They grabbed the king and queen and showed them no mercy. The soldiers and the people were terrified but also delighted. You shall be our king, the people cried, and you shall marry the beautiful princess. The soldier agreed, and the three great dogs danced at the wedding, balancing on their hind legs. And so the soldier became king and lived happily with his queen, though no one ever asked what became of the tinderbox.