The Constant Tin Soldier

by Hans Christian Andersen

"Было когда-то двадцать пять оловянных солдатиков, родных братьев по матери... Все солдатики были совершенно одинаковы, кроме одного, который был на одной ноге. Его отливали последним, и олова немножко не хватило, но он стоял на своей одной ноге так же твердо, как другие на двух. И он-то как раз и оказался самым замечательным из всех..."
Историей любви отважного солдатика и картонной танцовщицы зачитывалось не одно поколение читателей. Окунуться еще раз в круговорот невероятных приключений, происходящих с доблестным солдатиком, нас приглашает П.Дж.Линч, иллюстратор с мировым именем, чей талант великолепно передает отвагу храброго воина и нежность всепоглощающего чувства любви, ради которого и совершаются на свете все самые настоящие подвиги.

Genres: Classics, Childrens, Picture Books, Fairy Tales, Fiction, Fantasy, Short Stories

Unknown Binding

First published October 2, 1838

About the author

Hans Christian Andersen (often referred to in Scandinavia as H.C. Andersen) was a Danish author and poet. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, Andersen is best remembered for his fairy tales. Andersen's popularity is not limited to children; his stories — called eventyr, or "fairy-tales" — express themes that transcend age and nationality.

Andersen's fairy tales, which have been translated into more than 125 languages, have become culturally embedded in the West's collective consciousness, readily accessible to children, but presenting lessons of virtue and resilience in the face of adversity for mature readers as well. Some of his most famous fairy tales include "The Little Mermaid", "The Ugly Duckling", "The Nightingale", "The Emperor's New Clothes" and many more. His stories have inspired plays, ballets, and both live-action and animated films.

Reviews

[Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es gibt einige Märchen, die meine Kindheit begleitet haben und die mir sehr lieb und wichtig sind. "Der standhafte Zinnsoldat" gehört leider nicht dazu, obwohl ich das Märchen mag.
Es ist schön und traurig zugleich, leider recht kurz, aber es war schön, es nach langer Zeit einmal wieder gelesen zu haben!

[Ahmed Ejaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever felt that you love one author but still you don't wanna read his works?? That's my case with Hans' short stories. I soo much love his writing style and his imagination. But I hate his bitter endings of his tales. I mean why he can't give me a happy ending??! I know he just shows the reality. And far-somewhere in my heart I also feel that he does the right thing. But still I can't love these endings.

This tale is pretty much predictable for me as I have read some of Hans' tales before.

Tin soldier, who has only one leg, falls in love with a paper-bellerina. But one day he falls off the window of the house. He faces many obstacles in the world and tries to survive and come to paper-ballerina. In the end, he manages to come back to paper-ballerina. Tin soldier is thrown into the fire by a kid and paper-ballerina manages to jump in the fire too. So they both get each other but it's toooooo late.

Except for the ending(=_=), I loved this tale soo much!

4.5 stars

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A romantic tale that’s both tragic and beautiful in its simplicity, yet also perceptive in its underlying theme that one’s destiny is left entirely up to chance. I like to believe that although the course of true love never did run smooth, if you remain steadfast and true in the face of adversity, love will lead you home.

[Bionic Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Brave Tin Soldier or "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" is a fairy story by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. It was first published in 1838, along with "The Daisy" and "The Wild Swans". The author used to publish his stories in little booklets of two or three, and this was Hans Christian Andersen’s first set not to be based on an existing folk tale, but was his own original idea. It tells of a tin soldier who falls in love with a paper ballerina.



I have known this story for as long as I can remember.

It tells of a boy, who is given a box of twenty-five tin soldiers for his birthday. We learn that all the soldiers are alike, except for the last one, who has to stand on a single leg. This happened because they were all cast from one old tin spoon, and there wasn't quite enough metal to make the final soldier complete. From where he stands, the last tin soldier can see a beautiful ballerina. Not only is she beautiful, but it appears as if she too has only one leg, because of her poised dancer's position, with her leg raised behind her. The soldier falls in love with the beautiful paper ballerina cut-out.

That night, a Jack-in-the-box catches the soldier staring at the ballerina.



He is very jealous, and threatens him. The next day, the soldier is placed near the window and - very suspiciously - happens to falls out of it, landing in the street below. All the children look for him, but their search is useless. He is so small that he just seems to have disappeared down a crack.

Then some poor boys find him, and pick him up, deciding to have a game with him. They put him in a boat made out of newspaper, and let him float down into the gutter. The tin soldier has a perilous journey and gets washed into a canal. A rat is guarding the entrance, and he demands that the soldier pay him a toll fee. The boat carries the tin soldier into deeper and deeper water, until eventually he is swallowed by a fish. Yet that is still not the end of our brave hero.

The fish is caught and sold in a market. It is to be cooked as the dinner for a family, so it is gutted in a kitchen ready. But who should pop out but the little tin soldier! The cook who has bought the tin soldier is amazed, as (with a remarkable coincidence) she happens to work for the little boy's family. Instantly she recognises the one-legged tin soldier who had fallen out of the window so long ago, and never been found. The children are very pleased to see him, and the tin soldier is overjoyed to be back at home again, with all his familiar friends.

Nothing seems to have changed - and there across the room he can see his own beautiful ballerina holding her steady pose. She has waited for him, and looks straight at him as she always did. The two gaze into each other's eyes. Their love is still true, thinks the tin soldier.

Then oddly, one little boy takes it into his head to grab the tin soldier, and throw him into the fire. The tin soldier steadfastly holds onto his gun, and gazes lovingly into the ballerina's eyes, even as he starts to melt. But opportunely a lucky breeze catches hold of the ballerina, and wafts her straight into the middle of the fire, by the tin soldier's side. Being made of paper, she is at once consumed by the flames, but the two are now happily ensconced in each other's arms.

The next morning, the maid opens the stove and what should she find in the ashes of the fire, but a little tin heart and a single metal spangle from the ballerina's dress.

As well as being an original tale, critics have noticed a marked difference in this story. Unusually, it is fate which determines all the events, rather than a character's actions. True, the tin soldier comes across as stoical and steadfast, but he is also passive. He neither speaks nor acts - yet he could have forestalled some events, by acting differently. Interpreted one way, the tin soldier seals his doom, where he could have had both life and love had he spoken. It is thought that yet again the author has written himself into the story. Hans Christian Andersen felt himself to be inadequate with women, and to be alienated from society, whilst passively accepting his position.

This is one of Hans Christian Andersen's most famous stories, and represents one of his best, in my opinion. It is very similar in theme and feel to "The Little Mermaid", although The Brave Tin Soldier literally gave me nightmares as a child. I remember crying bitterly for the tin soldier without a leg. Afterwards, whenever I saw mannequins in clothes shops, they were "ladies without arms" and they upset me too. I had a hatred and fear of Jack-in-the-boxes. I refused to go into the butcher's and fishmonger's. And, worst of all, were the many dreadful nightmares I had about fire.

Admittedly this last was not helped by an information safety leaflet brought home from school, with a terrifying photo of a little girl with her dress in flames on the front. Or seeing "that bit" near the end in a television dramatisation of "Great Expectations". But putting all these things - some of which still make me slightly on edge (although not actually phobic!) as an adult - together, shows me how young minds can be overwhelmed by images which they conjure up in their heads. And sometimes these images are prompted by stories they hear or read. Stories can be powerful stuff.

So, I personally have a love-hate relationship with this story. But it is one of Hans Christian Andersen's best, I think. And if you enjoy his bitter-sweet tales, rather than finding them maudlin and depressing, you will probably love this one.

[Olivia-Savannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, this one made me laugh out loud. I am loving these fairytales!

In this one the clear theme is lust, and that it's bad. The ending is so sudden and abrupt, it had me cackling. I'm not sure why though. It actually isn't that funny, because it is quite morbid. I think I am enjoying horror and the happy/morbid contrast in these fairytales a *little* too much...

I felt like in the middle there was likely some biblical story referencing. It was a very Jonah and the Whale kind of moment.

All in quite nice, but not as interesting to me as some of the other fairytales have been.

[Kaylin (The Re-Read Queen) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Re-read and I'll never be able to comprehend how Anderson wrote such bittersweet, complicated stories FOR CHILDREN.

Sure, it's about tin soldiers. But it's also about longing, man vs fate, misplaced loyalty and a whole lotta important questions.

[Chelsey with a y · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reminded me a little of toy story. I like the fairy tale until it got to the fire bit. So sad

[Jesús De la Jara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me sorprendió que fuera tan corto, me hubiese gustado que su extensión sea mayor por ello no puedo ponerle más puntaje porque no terminó de encantarme con lo que llega a transmitir.
Claro, el relato es melancólico y sencillo tan del estilo de Andersen. Se nos muestra a un soldado especial que está "mutilado" pero para él no es ningún problema, y esa misma sensación se nos transmite. Es un juguete defectuoso de un grupo de soldados hechos de plomo y se siente atraído por una bailarina que forma parte de los objetos que tiene su nuevo amo. El relato de lo que pasa con ese "amor" si se le podría llamar así (aunque claro que no) nos da cuenta esta historia. Es innegable la capacidad de dejar impreso en el pensamiento estas bellas aunque cortas imágenes.

[Eman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The more I read for Hans Christian Andersen, the more I become convinced that he didn't write those tales for kids despite their childish themes. The stories are heart-breaking and his happy-endings are absolutely dark and surreal.

The Steadfast Tin Soldier is a tale about a remarkable toy soldier. He's 1 of 25 others made of an old tin spoon. He's distinguished from his brothers for having 1 leg only.. (Yes, there wasn't enough tin left to make the other leg.) He falls in love with a pretty ballerina toy as he sees her standing on 1 leg, so he thinks they have something in common.. (Aww!) Following some misfortunes, they eventually have a gloomy happy ending.. (Typical Hans!) They both melt in fire, but at least they're finally together.

What drew my attention is the resemblance in some occasions between this book and Toy Story.. For example, when children go away, toys start to play. I guess it somehow inspired Toy Story's creators? Just sayin'.

Morals of the story:
- Recycling is kinda romantic.
- Don't ever fret for being different; embrace your uniqueness instead of developing an inferiority complex.
- Be careful what you wish for; love can be lethal.

[Manybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yes indeed I was quite looking forward to Cynthia Rylant's picture book retelling of The Steadfast Tin Soldier, of Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale of love and loss, of toys that come alive and have feelings like everyone, like humans, even experiencing the nasty and destructive envy of potential rivals (and in particular since I have never much enjoyed the ending of the original Andersen tale, with the tin soldier after his many adventures and misadventures finally and once and for all being tossed by the jealous and I guess ultimately victorious goblin into the stove, into the fire, to perish, just as he had finally managed to make his way back home to the toy ballerina he loves, to a conclusion altered by Cynthia Rylant into a much more positive and cheering scenario and outcome, presenting the toy soldier both victoriously returning to his toy ballerina and also retaining and keeping her as his lover).

However and the above having been said, I actually and sadly, unfortunately have ended up finding Cynthia Rylant’s version of The Steadfast Tin Soldier only mildly entertaining at best as well as more than a bit mundanely recounted. For if truth be told, I really do not ever feel all that emotionally involved in Rylant's reimagined text, with the soldier's fate and his journey from the windowsill into the gutter/river and then finally back to his beloved and adored toy ballerina seeming rather banal (and this even though that the basic themes presented in The Steadfast Tin Soldier are obviously meant to be engaging and even adventurous), since the author's, since Cynthia Rylant’s writing style and narrative flow simply do not all that successfully mirror that desired sense of adventure, of possible peril and actually to and for my reading eyes coming off more like a dry non fiction account, with at times even reminding me somewhat of a catalogue of lists. And even the revised ending of The Steadfast Tin Soldier, the ending which I was so very much and eagerly anticipating, well, it also kind of falls flat, an annoying and unexpected deus ex machina of some random wind blowing into the stovepipe and catapulting the tin soldier straight from the inferno of his possible doom into the ballerina's arms so to speak (an alternative to Hans Christian Andersen's original negative ending that I do certainly very much appreciate, but which conceptualisation and modus operandi I find almost laughable and majorly silly, too run-of-the coincidental mill, too standard for my reading tastes and likes).

Now as to Jen Corace's accompanying illustrations, although by themselves, I would not consider them personal favourites, in conjunction with Rylant’s narrative, they are indeed a wonderful, descriptive and imaginative compliment (and actually present the danger and adventure, the possible threats the tin soldier faces on his journey back to his lady love, his ballerina, with both more excitement and emotionality than Cynthia Rylant's rather lacklustre and textually flat narrative). And while I certainly have been a bit disappointed with and by Rylant’s retelling of The Steadfast Tin Soldier, I still do recommend it, as even with my personal issues regarding narrative flow and the deus ex machina quality of the ending, I actually appreciate both text and images, and especially the salient fact that in this version, in this retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale, the steadfast tin soldier not only returns, but actually manages to both stay alive and get the girl.

Finally and furthermore, seeing that Cynthia Rylant's retelling does in many ways veer quite sharply and quite far from Hans Christian Andersen's original text for The Steadfast Tin Soldier, there also really should be an author's note included, explaining in particular why Cynthia Rylant has chosen to provide a very different and much more positive and optimistic sounding ending to her version. And while perhaps not absolutely and academically necessary in this particular case, as the original author, as Hans Christian Andersen's name, is indeed mentioned on the book cover, a supplemental author's note would at least for me, be like icing on a proverbial cake, as especially for fairy and folktales, author's notes on the origins of a given tale and why and how a translator or a reteller might have changed and altered the same are as important and as interesting for me and to me as the actual story itself (not to mention that an author's note would also show respect for Hans Christian Andersen and his literary legacy, and indeed, the lack of an author’s note is the main reason that I have rated this here version, that I have ranked Cynthia Rylant’s reimagined The Steadfast Tin Soldier with two and not with three stars).

[Thor · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my mom first read this story to me when i was little I didn't understand what it was really about. I asked her and she told me "you'll understand when you're older." I picked this book up when I was cleaning my room one day and read it to myself. By the last page I was tearing up because I found the story so beautiful.
I highly suggest this book to anyone. It is a little sad but it is a beautiful story. I love it and it's my favorite love story. This book makes me tear up everytime I read it and smile. And it's a great book to read aloud. My girlfriend read it to me when i was sad one day and it made me feel better. I like to call her "my ballerina" and I'm her "Tin soldier".

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion this is one of the most beautiful and tragic stories I have read, Hans Christian Anderson can never fail. I love the how the tin solider falls in love with the ballerina and goes through so much to be able to be back with her. To be only thrown into a fire once he see her again. Yet there is a happy ending with her melting with him into a small tinder heart. It shows the true love even though it is with toys it is a version of romeo and Juliet and left me in tears.

[ily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nunca creí que un cuento me haría llorar. La historia del soldadito es bastante triste. Pero también pienso que es admirable que el soldatito recibiera impertérrito todo lo malo que le ocurrió. Al final logró lo que quería: estar junto a su amada. Sólo tengo ganas de estrangular al niño que lo lanzó al fuego. ¿Es que no le enseñaron a cuidar sus juguetes?

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

damn. this is dark, dude. i read it because it was a bonus at the end of my ebook copy of the little mermaid.

it's so oddly romantic for the tin soldier to quietly fall in love with a paper ballerina because he thinks she has only one leg, like him. their tragic ending is dark and poetic, though quite abrupt!

[LaCitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Racconto che conoscevo più per sentito dire, ma che non avevo mai letto e delle due versioni del finale che mi avevano raccontato, una lieta e una triste, quello effettivo, mi ha lasciato l'amaro in bocca.
Al di là di questo, la scrittura di Andersen è di qualità, l'inseguimento nelle fogne da parte del topo è piuttosto impressionante. Interessante anche l'idea che il soldatino faccia un percorso circolare che lo riporta a casa.

[Kimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I still remember cold, snowy days when my brother and I would snuggle up next to our mother to listen to this story. It made my mother cry and it made us cry. A fantastic story. If you have little ones or know someone who does, you have to get this one for them!

[Zaghol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dah lama tak baca buku english, buku cerita kanak2 pun jadila. Mencabar jugak pengembaraan patung mainan askar tin ni, kerna nafsu cinta membuak-buaknya kepada patung barbie ballerina russia.

[Scarlet Cameo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andersen fue un escritor que creaba historias sumamente tristes pero que llegan muy hondo en quien lo lee.

Esta historia creo que podría ser que entre dentro de cuentos para niños, exalta la valentía y el que, a pesar de la adversidad, continuemos creyendo en nuestros sueños. Un cuento muy cortito, con un final que enaltece esa concepción romantica de la tristeza y que vale la pena tomarse unos minutos para leer.

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always adored The Steadfast (or Constant) Tin Soldier. Since I saw many different adaptions of this story, I wanted to read the original piece and get a grasp on the themes made by Hans Christian Anderson. It is by far my favourite made by him, and I adore it! The story addresses an amazing theme and has beautiful imagery. Five out of five stars!

[Freddy Shion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queda claro que estos cuentos son agridulces y con un poco de realidad que quita la fantasía en la que nos encontramos.
Es una historia de un camino de vida y un final. Las circunstancias mueven a los personajes, no tiene más opción que aceptar las vicisitudes qué existen en el mundo.
Es verdaderamente bello este cuento. Nos hace preguntar ¿ controlamos nuestro destino?

[Sadia Mansoor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though everyone is saying that its a sad, tragic story but I didn't find it too tragic.. People are talking about all the sad things found in the story, but I have infer many positive points in it.

First of all, the one legged tin soldier never faced difficulty in walking even though he was not the same as the rest of his soldier brothers. He never expressed any sadness over having only one leg. He just used to spend time admiring the beautiful Ballerina, who also happen to have a single leg like him too. The doesn't move/walk a lot, nor it was needed because he doesn't want to lose the beautiful sight of her standing in front of him in the palace. He was either kept in the box or put outside in the playing time.
When he faced many obstacles in his life, he never once complained about them because he is a soldier & soldiers are supposed to show bravery. So, he tackled everything with patience & ended up in the same place, from where he was thrown out. This was the place where his lady love was present. He just couldn't stop thinking about her when he was outside, so fate brought him here again. This shows that if you yearns for something so intensely, fate will bring it to you one day..
Lastly, he died with his love. They were both burned & melted into nothing. Though, his wish to be with her in the world was never fulfilled, but at least they both were together when their lives were ending. They had each other in their last moments. They saw their end together & at that moment too, the soldier didn't complain nor said that his life was a waste. One should remember that he is a soldier & a soldier's life has to end one day. His enemy was right in front of him, even living with him. He was betrayed by this own people but he martyred happily.
Their lives ended but their true love will live forever!

This is the link to the story https://fairytalez.com/steadfast-tin-...

[Cris A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este es uno de los cuentos más tristes y bonitos que leído nunca. Hans Christian Andersen es un genio de la literatura.

El soldadito me ha dado mucha ternura. Ante todas las adversidades que pasa decide ser valiente y hacer honor a lo que es, con su fusil siempre firme al hombro.

Aunque el final es triste, me alegré de que de alguna forma (aunque sea trágica) el soldadito consiguiera acabar junto a su bailarina.

[Lilibeth Teixeira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lembro-me de ver uma adaptação deste conto vezes sem conta quando era criança. Decidi ler o conto original e apesar de possuir algumas diferenças gostei imenso dele. Lembro-me de que chorava sempre quando o filme acabava e o mesmo aconteceu com este conto.
É um conto muito triste mas que passa uma mensagem muito bonita.

[Nadja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wirklich wunderschöne Illustrationen von Quentin Gréban. Die Geschichte selbst war mir in dieser Edition fast ein bisschen zu kurz und einmal machte die Geschichte/Übersetzung? auch nicht wirklich Sinn. Am Anfang der Geschichte erhält ein spezifischer Junge die Zinnsoldaten zum Geburtstag, aber später wird der gleiche Junge als "einer der kleinen Knaben" genannt. (Aber es gibt ja nur ein Knabe!!)

[Irini Gergianaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Θα με συγκινεί πάντα, νομίζω ότι είναι το σπουδαιότερο παραμύθι που έχει γραφτεί για παιδιά.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was wonderful! I love how creative Andersen is with his stories, but sometimes his endings are so bitter. They are realistic, but still a bit depressing. Regardless, highly recommend this one!

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

شاید چون زیادی ورژن های مختلفی ازش خونده بودم زیاد بهم نچسبید.
بهمن ۱۴۰۳

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful but sad love story. A good example of the saying: Life is what happens while you're making other plans. The tin soldier is so brave—because he has to be, and the ballerina is so reserved—because she has to be. They have no control over their situations, which makes the story all the more touching, but they know their hearts and remain true to them.

I read this story from three different picture books because I enjoy the illustrations as well as the story. The first two books, illustrated by P. J. Lynch and David Jorgensen, were the story as told by Hans Christian Andersen; the third book was a retelling of the story by Cynthia Rylant—I like Rylant's style— with illustrations by Jen Corace is much the same, but the ending is different.

[Laura V.]

Rompió mi corazón.
No sé porqué pensé que tendría un final feliz, así que ahí estaba yo, leyéndolo en voz alta para mi hermana que se hacía la que no me escuchaba, y yo muy emocionada por la valentía y la firmeza del soldadito que seguía imperturbable ante las adversidades, cuando leo "En ésas, uno de los chiquillos, cogiendo al soldado.." y se me hizo un nudito, que me dejó.. triste. Y terminé leyendo para mí.

Es un lindo cuento, el final es bonito. Emocionante y acorde con el hilo de la historia. No puedo evitar sentirme triste por el soldadito de plomo, e impresionada por la pluma de Andersen que jamás había leído.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's actually been so long since I read the original "Steadfast Tin Soldier" that I don't feel I can speak much to the comparison to Rylant's interpretation. But, I was disappointed in the Rylant version just the same. I usually love her work and feel very connected to several of her stories but I didn't find anything particularly stirring in this telling (even though it was rich material to start with). I suppose the ending was rather clever for bringing about a happy ever after (though a bit farfetched!) but it still felt flat overall. Too bad :-(