The Tinder Box, a fairy tale for kids

Best tales and stories for kids

By: Hans Christian Andersen

Narrated by: Katie Haigh

"The Tinder Box" is a literary fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. A poor soldier returning home from war meets a witch who asks him to climb into a hollow tree to retrieve a magic tinder box. In the tree, he finds three chambers filled with precious coins guarded by three monstrous dogs, "one with eyes the size of teacups", who guards a vault filled with pennies, one with "eyes the size of water wheels", who guards a vault filled with silver, and one with eyes "the size of Round Tower", who guards a vault filled with gold; when the witch asks for the tinder box, he kills her and keeps it for himself, thus acquiring the power of summoning the dogs. Their power and his cunning will end up saving his life. This story is one of Andersen's first tales; it has the wit and energy of a traditional folk tale like "Aladdin" or "Jack and the Beanstalk", in which the young hero overcomes adversity to end up as a successful adult. This tale is read by Katie Haigh, for the delight of children and parents alike.

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