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Scene 1 · Intermediate
Der einbeinige Zinnsoldat
The one-legged tin soldier
German
Es waren einmal fünfundzwanzig Zinnsoldaten. Sie waren alle Brüder, denn man hatte sie aus demselben alten Zinnlöffel hergestellt. Mit den Gewehren auf der Schulter blickten sie geradeaus. Ihre prächtigen Uniformen waren rot und blau.
English translation
Once upon a time, there were twenty-five tin soldiers. They were all brothers, because they had been made from the same old tin spoon. With their rifles on their shoulders, they looked straight ahead. Their splendid uniforms were red and blue.
German
„Zinnsoldaten!“ Das waren die ersten Worte, die sie hörten, als jemand ihre Schachtel öffnete. Ein kleiner Junge klatschte vor Freude in die Hände. Er hatte die Soldaten zum Geburtstag bekommen und stellte sie nun auf dem Tisch auf.
English translation
“Tin soldiers!” Those were the first words they heard when someone opened their box. A little boy clapped his hands with joy. He had received the soldiers for his birthday, and now he was setting them up on the table.
German
Alle sahen genau gleich aus, bis auf einen: Er hatte nur ein Bein. Als Letzter war er hergestellt worden, und für sein zweites Bein hatte das geschmolzene Zinn nicht mehr gereicht. Trotzdem stand er fest auf seinem einen Bein und fiel gerade deshalb unter seinen Brüdern auf.
English translation
They all looked exactly alike, except for one: he had only one leg. He had been made last, and there hadn’t been enough melted tin left for his second leg. Even so, he stood firmly on his one leg, and that was precisely what made him stand out among his brothers.
Continue with Der standhafte Zinnsoldat
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