Сказка Ганса Христиана Андерсена 'The Tinderbox'

Шел солдат по дороге: раз-два! раз-два! Ранец за спиной, сабля на боку; он шел домой с войны. На дороге встретилась ему старая ведьма.

Фрагмент текста на английском языке:

There came a Soldier marching along the high road one, two! one, two! He had his knapsack on his back and a sabre by his side, for he had been in the wars, and now he wanted to go home. And on the way he met with an old Witch: she was very hideous, and her under lip hung down upon her breast. She said, “Good evening, Soldier. What a fine sword you have, and what a big knapsack!You’re a proper soldier! Now you shall have as much money as you like to have.” “I thank you, you old Witch!” said the Soldier. “Do you see that great tree?” quoth the Witch; and she pointed to a tree which stood beside them. “It’s quite hollow inside. You must climb to the top and then you’ll see a hole, through which you can let yourself down and get deep into the tree. I’ll tie a rope round your body, so that I can pull you up again when you call me.” “What am I to do down in the tree?” asked the Soldier. “Get money,” replied the Witch.

О чем сказка:

Сказка Андерсена The Tinderbox рассказывает о везучем солдате, который, возвращаясь домой со службы встретил в лесу ведьму, пообещавшую ему богатство. Взамен она попросила лишь достать ей огниво. Огниво оказалось волшебным и с его помощью солдат не только избежал виселицы, но и женился на принцессе.