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Illustration for The Steadfast Tin Soldier

English · Intermediate

The Steadfast Tin Soldier

By Hans Christian Andersen

A one-legged tin soldier faces a series of dangers after falling in love with a paper dancer.

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Scene 1

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Illustration for the scene “The one-legged tin soldier”

Scene 1 · Intermediate

The one-legged tin soldier

English

Once there were twenty-five tin soldiers, all brothers because they had been made from the same old tin spoon. Each held a gun on his shoulder and stared straight ahead, wearing a splendid red and blue uniform.

English

The first words they ever heard were “Tin soldiers!” A little boy shouted them with delight and clapped his hands when someone lifted the lid of their box. They were his birthday present, and he stood at the table, setting them up.

English

All the soldiers looked exactly alike except one. He had been made last, when there wasn't quite enough melted tin left, so he had only one leg. Yet he stood as firmly on that one leg as the others did on two, which made him stand out from his brothers.

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