German · Intermediate
Adapted from The Tinderbox
A soldier finds a magical tinderbox that summons three powerful dogs.
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Scene 1 · Intermediate
„Links, rechts; links, rechts.“ Ein Soldat marschierte die Landstraße entlang. Auf dem Rücken trug er seinen Tornister, eine große Tasche für seine Sachen, und an seiner Seite hing ein Schwert. Er war im Krieg gewesen und befand sich nun auf dem Heimweg.
“Left, right; left, right.” A soldier marched along the country road. On his back he carried his knapsack, a large bag for his belongings, and a sword hung at his side. He had been at war and was now on his way home.
Unterwegs begegnete ihm eine alte Hexe. Sie sah furchterregend aus: Ihre Unterlippe hing ihr bis auf die Brust. Als sie den Soldaten entdeckte, blieb sie stehen.
On the way, he met an old witch. She looked frightening: her lower lip hung down to her chest. When she spotted the soldier, she stopped.
„Guten Abend, Soldat“, sagte sie. „Du hast ein schönes Schwert und einen großen Tornister. Du bist ein richtiger Soldat! Deshalb sollst du so viel Geld bekommen, wie du willst.“
“Good evening, soldier,” she said. “You have a fine sword and a large knapsack. You’re a real soldier! So you shall have as much money as you want.”
„Danke, alte Hexe“, erwiderte er.
“Thank you, old witch,” he replied.
Die Hexe zeigte auf einen großen Baum neben der Straße. „Siehst du den Baum dort? Der ist innen völlig hohl. Du musst bis nach oben klettern. Dort findest du ein Loch, durch das du dich tief in den Stamm hinablassen kannst. Ich binde dir ein Seil um den Leib. Wenn du nach mir rufst, ziehe ich dich wieder herauf.“
The witch pointed to a large tree beside the road. “Do you see that tree over there? It’s completely hollow inside. You must climb all the way to the top. There you’ll find a hole through which you can lower yourself deep into the trunk. I’ll tie a rope around your waist. When you call to me, I’ll pull you back up.”
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