小学英语安徒生童话系列二theTinder-Box打火匣阅读素材

the Tinder-Box打火匣 by Hans Christian Andersen（1835） ASOLDIER came marching along the high road： “Left， right—left， right.” He had his knapsack onhis back， and asword at his side； he had been tothe wars， and was now returning home. As he walked on， he met avery frightful-lookingold witch in the road. Her under-lip hung quite downon her breast， and she stopped and said， “Goodevening， soldier； you have avery fine sword，and alarge knapsack， and you are areal soldier； so you shall have as much money as everyou like.” “Thank you， old witch，” said the soldier. “Do you see that large tree，” said the witch， pointing to atree which stood beside them. “Well， it is quite hollow inside， and you must climb to the top， when you will see ahole，through which you can let yourself down into the tree to a GREat depth. Iwill tie arope roundyour body， so that Ican pull you up again when you call out to me.” “But what am Ito do， down there in the tree？” asked the soldier. “Get money，” she replied； “for you must know that when you reach the ground under thetree， you will find yourself in alarge hall， lighted up by three hundred lamps； you will thensee three doors， which can be easily opened， for the keys are in all the locks. On entering thefirst of the chambers， to which these doors lead， you will see alarge chest， standing in themiddle of the floor， and upon it a dog seated， with apair of eyes as large as teacups. But youneed not be at all afraid of him； Iwill give you my blue checked apron， which you mustspread upon the floor， and then boldly seize hold of the dog， and place him upon it. You canthen open the chest， and take from it as many pence as you please， they are only copperpence； but if you would rather have silver money， you must go into the second chamber.Here you will find another dog， with eyes as big as mill-wheels； but do not let that troubleyou. Place him upon my apron， and then take what money you please. If， however， you likegold best， enter the third chamber， where there is another chest full of it. The dog who