by Hans Christian Andersen

translation by H P Paull (1872)

SOLDIER came marching along the high road: "Left, right- left, right " He had his knapsack back, and sword at his side; he wars, and was now returning home

As he walked on, he met very frightful-looking old witch road Her under-lip hung quite down on her breast, and she stopped and said, "Good evening, soldier; very fine sword, and large knapsack, and real soldier; so money as ever you like "

" , old witch," said the soldier

"Do that large tree," said the witch, pointing to tree which stood beside them "Well, quite hollow inside, and climb top, when hole, through let yourself down tree to great depth tie rope round your body, pull you up again call out "

"But what am I , down there tree ? " asked the soldier

"Get money," she replied; "for know that reach the ground under the tree, yourself in large hall, lighted up by three hundred lamps; then see three doors, which easily opened, keys are in all the locks On entering the first chambers, these doors lead, large chest, standing middle floor, and upon it dog seated, with pair of eyes as large as teacups But you at all afraid of him; my blue checked apron, which spread floor, and then boldly seize hold dog, and place him upon it then open the chest, and take pence please, only copper pence; but rather have silver money, go second chamber Here another dog, with eyes as big as mill-wheels; but let that trouble you Place him upon my apron, and then take what money you please If, however, you like gold best, enter the third chamber, where another chest full of it The dog who sits chest is very dreadful; his eyes are as big as tower, but mind him If he also is placed upon my apron, hurt you, and take chest what gold "

" bad story," said the soldier; "but what am I , you old witch ? for, , mean me all this for nothing "

"No," said the witch; "but ask for single penny Only promise to bring me an old tinder-box, which my grandmother left behind the last time she went down there "

" ; I promise Now tie the rope round my body "

"Here ," replied the witch; "and my blue checked apron "

rope was tied, the soldier climbed up the tree, and let himself down hollow ground beneath; and here , witch had told him, large hall, many hundred lamps were all burning Then he opened the first door "Ah ! " there sat the dog, eyes as large as teacups, staring at him

"You're pretty fellow," said the soldier, seizing him, and placing him witch's apron, while he filled his pockets chest with pieces as hold Then he closed the lid, seated the dog upon it again, and walked into another chamber, And, sure enough, there sat the dog with eyes as big as mill-wheels

"You had better not look at me way," said the soldier; " make your eyes water;" and then he seated him also apron, and opened the chest But when what quantity of silver money it contained, he very quickly threw away all the coppers he had taken, and filled his pockets knapsack with nothing but silver

Then he went third room, and there the dog was really hideous; his eyes were, truly, as big as towers, turned round and round head like wheels

"Good morning," said the soldier, touching his cap, for he had never seen such dog life But after looking at him more closely, he thought he civil enough, so he placed him floor, and opened the chest Good gracious, what quantity of gold ! enough all the sugar-sticks sweet-stuff women; all the tin soldiers, whips, and rocking-horses , or even the whole town itself , indeed, an immense quantity So the soldier now threw away all the silver money he had taken, and filled his pockets knapsack with gold instead; and his pockets knapsack, but even his cap and boots, scarcely walk

really rich now; so he replaced the dog chest, closed the door, and called up tree, "Now pull me out, you old witch "

" got the tinder-box ? " asked the witch

"No; I declare I quite forgot it " So he went back and fetched the tinderbox, and then the witch drew him up tree, and he stood again high road, pockets, his knapsack, his cap, boots full of gold

" you going tinder-box ? " asked the soldier

" nothing ," replied the witch; " the money, now the tinder-box "

"I tell you what," said the soldier, " don't tell me what going with it, draw my sword and cut off your head "

"No," said the witch

The soldier immediately cut off her head, and there she lay ground Then he tied up all his money in her apron and slung it back like bundle, put the tinderbox pocket, and walked off nearest town very nice town, and he put up best inn, and ordered dinner of all his favorite dishes, for now rich and had plenty of money

The servant, who cleaned his boots, thought they certainly were shabby pair worn by such rich gentleman, for he yet bought any new ones The , however, he procured some good clothes and proper boots, so soldier soon became known as fine gentleman, people visited him, and told him all the wonders that were seen town, and king's beautiful daughter, the princess

"Where can her ? " asked the soldier

" seen at all," they said; "she lives in large copper castle, surrounded by walls and towers No one but the king himself can pass in or out, for prophecy that she will marry common soldier, king cannot bear marriage "

" like her," thought the soldier; but obtain permission However, he passed very pleasant time; went theatre, drove king's garden, and gave great deal of money poor, of him; he remembered what it in olden times without shilling Now rich, had fine clothes, and many friends, who all declared fine fellow and real gentleman, and all this gratified him exceedingly But his money last forever; and as he spent and gave away great deal daily, and received none, himself at last with only two shillings left So obliged to leave his elegant rooms, and live in little garret under the roof, where he had to clean his own boots, and even mend them with large needle None friends came him, there were too many stairs to mount up One dark evening, he even penny candle; then all at once he remembered that piece of candle stuck tinder-box, which he had brought old tree, into which the witch had helped him

the tinder-box, but no sooner had he struck few sparks flint and steel, door flew open dog with eyes as big as teacups, whom he had seen while down tree, stood before him, and said, "What orders, master ? "

"Hallo," said the soldier; "well pleasant tinderbox, brings me all for "

"Bring me some money," said he dog

gone in moment, and presently returned, carrying large bag of coppers month The soldier discovered the value tinder-box If he struck the flint once, the dog who sat chest of copper money made his appearance; if twice, the dog came chest of silver; and if three times, the dog with eyes like towers, who watched over the gold The soldier had now plenty of money; he returned elegant rooms, and reappeared fine clothes, his friends knew him again directly, and made of him as before