Стійкий олов’яний солдатик

           Theyputhimonthetableand-loandbehold,whatcuriousthingscanhappeninthisworld-therehewas,backinthesameroomasbefore. Hesawthesamechildren,thesametoyswereonthetable, andtherewasthesamefinecastlewiththeprettylittledancer. Shestillbalancedononeleg,withtheotherraisedhigh.Shetoowassteadfast. Thattouchedthesoldiersodeeplythathewouldhavecriedtintears,onlysoldiersnevercry. Helookedather,andshelookedathim,andneverawordwassaid. Justasthingsweregoingsonicelyforthem,oneofthelittleboyssnatchedupthetinsoldierandthrewhimintothestove. Hediditfornoreasonatall. Thatblackbogeyinthesnuffboxmusthaveputhimuptoit. 

           Thetinsoldierstoodtheredressedinflames. Hefeltaterribleheat,butwhetheritcamefromtheflamesorfromhislovehedidn’tknow. He’dlosthissplendidcolors,maybefromhishardjourney,maybefromgrief,nobodycansay. 

           Helookedatthelittlelady,andshelookedathim,andhefelthimselfmelting. Butstillhestoodsteadfast,withhismusketheldtrimonhisshoulder. 

           Thenthedoorblewopen. Apuffofwindstruckthedancer. Sheflewlikeasylph,straightintothefirewiththesoldier,blazedupinaflash,andwasgone. Thetinsoldiermelted,allinalump. Thenextday,whenaservanttookuptheashesshefoundhimintheshapeofalittletinheart. Butoftheprettydancernothingwasleftexceptherspangle, anditwasburnedasblackasacoal.