There were once five-and-twenty tin soldiers, all brothers, for they were made out of the same old tin spoon. One was different—he had only one leg, as he was the last one cast and the tin ran out. But he stood just as firmly on his one leg as the others did on two. He fell in love with a beautiful paper Ballerina who also stood on one leg.
One day, a gust of wind blew the soldier out the window! He fell three stories to the street. two boys found him and made a boat out of a newspaper. 'Sail away, soldier!' they cried. He sailed down the gutter, rocking in the dark water. A rat demanded his passport! But the soldier remained steadfast, gripping his musket tight.
The boat sank, and a great fish swallowed him! It was dark and tight inside. But luck was with him—the fish was caught and sold at the market. And guess where? The very house where the soldier lived! The cook cut the fish open, and there he was! He was placed back on the mantelpiece, safe and sound, right next to his beloved Ballerina. They watched the Christmas fire glow, happy to be together forever.
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The End