Description A soldier who obtains a mysterious tinderbox While walking down the road, a soldier meets a witch and comes into possession of a great deal of money and a magical tinderbox. He becomes wealthy, living in a fine house, wearing splendid clothes, and eating delicious food. As he spends his money freely, people flock to him to tell him all sorts of stories. Among them is the tale of a beautiful princess kept locked away, and the soldier longs to meet her but cannot. Spending money as if it were water, the soldier eventually runs out and ends up living in an attic. But when he absentmindedly strikes the tinderbox he once got from the witch, the dogs that guard the boxes of money come running to him — and grant his every wish. Rich once more, the soldier meets the princess with the dogs' help and falls in love with her. However, the king and queen discover this and sentence him to hang. The soldier calls upon the dogs with the tinderbox, turns the tables on the king and queen, and marries the princess. And at the wedding feast, it is said that the dogs sat right at the table, rolling their big eyes. A dreamlike tale of overnight fortune An ordinary, poor soldier meets a witch and comes into possession of a great deal of money and a tinderbox that grants wishes. In an instant, he becomes rich, and eventually, with the tinderbox's help, he marries a princess and gains status and honor as well. What everyone dreams of happens to this soldier. But this is no realistic tale — with its mysterious tinderbox, witch, and enormous dogs that could only exist in fantasy, this story becomes not a simple tale of sudden riches, but a fairy tale brimming with wonder. Just like Aladdin's magic lamp, how wonderful would it be if dogs with eyes as big as teacups, as big as mill wheels, and as big as round towers appeared before you to grant your wishes! Andersen's rich imagination has crafted this mysterious and marvelous story, brought to life here with lively, charming illustrations. About the Illustrator Erik Blegvad was born in 1923 in Copenhagen, Denmark. After graduating from an arts and crafts school, he worked in Paris, starting with the magazine ELLE, and did illustration work for many other magazines. He later moved to New York, where he began illustrating children's books, and over the following 40 years created many delicate and beautiful picture books. His major works include The Winter Bear, Journey to the Orient, The New Me, and Enjoying the Present Moment.