Стійкий олов’яний солдатик

           Thriceandagaintheboatspunaround.Itfilledtothetop-andwasboundtosink. Thewaterwasuptohisneckandstilltheboatwentdown,deeper,deeper,deeper,andthepapergotsoftandlimp. Thenthewaterrushedoverhishead. Hethoughtoftheprettylittledancerwhomhe’dneverseeagain, andinhisearsranganold,oldsong: 

           "Farewell,farewell,Owarriorbrave, 

           NobodycanfromDeaththeesave." 

           Andnowthepaperboatbrokebeneathhim,andthesoldiersankrightthrough. Andjustatthatmomenthewasswallowedbyamostenormousfish. 

           My!howdarkitwasinsidethatfish.Itwasdarkerthanunderthegutter-plankanditwassocramped, butthetinsoldierstillwasstaunch. Helaytherefulllength,soldierfashion,withmuskettoshoulder. 

           Thenthefishfloppedandflounderedinamostunaccountableway. Finallyitwasperfectlystill,andafterawhilesomethingstruckthroughhimlikeaflashoflightning. Thetinsoldiersawdaylightagain,andheheardavoicesay, "TheTinSoldier!"Thefishhadbeencaught,carriedtomarket,bought, andbroughttoakitchenwherethecookcuthimopenwithherbigknife. 

           Shepickedthesoldierupbodilybetweenhertwofingers,andcarriedhimoffupstairs. Everyonewantedtoseethisremarkabletravelerwhohadtraveledaboutinafish’sstomach, butthetinsoldiertooknoprideinit