The Tinderbox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "The Tinderbox" |
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Illustration by Vilhelm Pedersen,
Andersen's first and favorite illustrator |
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| Author | Hans Christian Andersen |
| Translator | Charles Boner |
| Country | Denmark |
| Language | Danish |
| Characters | Soldier Old Witch The Princess The Queen The King Three Dogs |
| Genre(s) | Literary fairy tale |
| Published in | Fairy Tales Told for Children (first booklet) |
| Publication type | Fairy tale collection |
| Publisher | C. A. Reitzel |
| Media type | |
| Publication date | May 1835 |
| Published in English | 1846 in A Danish Story-Book |
| Notable adaptations | First Danish animated movie |
| Followed by | Big Claus and Little Claus |
The Tinderbox is a famous fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen. It was first published in Copenhagen, Denmark in May 1835. This story was part of his very first collection called Fairy Tales Told for Children.
The booklet also included other well-known tales like "Big Claus and Little Claus", "The Princess and the Pea", and "Little Ida's Flowers". "The Tinderbox" is Andersen's own version of an old Danish story he heard as a child. It is also similar to "Aladdin and the Magic Lamp". This tale has been made into many different things, including the first Danish animated movie.
Contents
What Happens in the Story?
The story begins with a soldier returning home from war. He meets an old witch who asks him to go into a hollow tree. Inside the tree, there are three rooms. Each room has a dog guarding a chest full of coins.
The Magic Tinderbox
The soldier collects the money and finds an old tinderbox. The witch wants the tinderbox, but the soldier refuses to give it to her. He then cuts off her head. The soldier becomes very rich and lives a fancy life. Soon, he runs out of money.
The Dogs and the Princess
One night, the soldier uses the tinderbox. When he strikes it, one of the three magic dogs appears. The dogs are very powerful and can do anything he wishes. He orders one dog to bring him the beautiful princess from her castle. The dog brings the sleeping princess to his room. This happens a few times.
Discovery and Rescue
The king and queen notice their daughter is missing at night. They follow her and find out the soldier is taking her. The soldier is arrested and sentenced to death. Just before he is about to be executed, he asks a young boy to get his tinderbox. He strikes the tinderbox, and the three magic dogs appear.
A Happy Ending
The dogs save the soldier's life by attacking the guards and the king. The people are scared but also impressed. The soldier is then set free. He marries the princess and becomes the new king. They live happily ever after.
Images for kids
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Hans Christian Andersen in 1836
See also
In Spanish: El yesquero para niños
