The Steadfast Tin Soldier
Monu and the Tin Soldiers
This isn't such an old story. Monu was a little boy who lived with his parents in a big house. Monu loved toys and had a whole bunch of them.
Every time a new toy appeared on the market, Monu's parents bought it for him. His room was filled with teddy bears, Barbie dolls, and race cars. One day, Monu's mom bought him a tin box.
— What's inside, Mom? — This is for my sweet boy. Tin soldiers. Now you have your own army. They will protect you. — Wow! My tin soldiers!
Captain Tin
Inside were 100 soldiers made of tin. Out of all 100, one soldier was very different.
— Oh, the poor soldier only has one leg, Mom! — Oh, they probably put him here by mistake. He's defective. I'll return him. — No, Mom! Didn't you say that being different doesn't mean something is wrong or bad? Then, he's just different. I'll make him captain. He'll be called Captain Tin.
The others all look the same. I can't give them names. I'll never know which soldier I'm playing with. But I'll always know who Captain Tin is. He is a special soldier.
— Oh, my child, I've taught you well. You're right! He has no defect. He's just different from us. He is special.
The Life of Toys
Monu loved Captain Tin and kept him on the shelf.
— Listen, Captain Tin, you have to take care of all my toys, okay? We are a team. We'll never abandon each other. — Monu! Dinner's ready! — Okay, Captain Tin, see you later.
Tin loved the little boy. As soon as Monu closed the door behind him, all the toys came to life. Tin watched over them all. The panda bear stretched his back.
The giraffe, who had fallen in a strange way, stood up and stretched her neck. Barbie turned her head, which was facing the wrong way.
— Ah! Oh! It's time to play! Oh! Where's Monu? — What's wrong with you? He was playing with us just a few minutes ago! — Ah! Well, I'm a bat. I sleep during the day. It's not my fault.
Tracy, the Ballerina
But Tin wasn't listening anymore. His eyes were fixed on a distant figure. There she was. A beautiful paper ballerina in a huge castle.
She had shimmering sequins on her dress. The one that shone the brightest was a big red heart in the middle of her dress. She danced on one leg, with the other leg raised behind her.
Right in front of the castle was a beautiful pond. The water sparkled on her face, like morning dew on the grass. Tin had eyes for no one and nothing else.
— Wow! I've never seen anyone as beautiful as her. — Tracy? Yes, she is. She's always on one leg. She's a determined ballerina.
The Conversation with the Dolphin
— Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I didn't realize I was speaking out loud. — Oh! You really are a good, modest, and respectful soldier. — I am honored, sir. Thank you.
That was all he said to Mr. Dolphin. But he didn't forget what he had said. Tracy, the ballerina. It didn't take Tin long to realize he was in love with Tracy.
The evening passed. All the toys played and laughed. But Tin couldn't take his eyes off Tracy for even a second.
— Hmm, I should go talk to her. But what could I say? Will she accept me? Well, I at least have to try. It's better than sitting here and thinking about it. — Mr. Dolphin, can you help me get down from this shelf? I need to go talk to Miss Tracy. I need to tell her how I feel. — Eh, sure. But if you don't mind, can I tell you something? — Sure. — Tracy is the most beautiful ballerina here. And, you're just a one-legged tin soldier. Do you think she'll accept you? I'm sorry, but I really like you. And I don't want you to get hurt.
— Don't apologize. You're telling the truth. But having only one leg doesn't mean I don't have a soul. She deserves to know how much I love her. I can't dictate what she feels. She's free to reject me if that's how she feels. But first, she needs to know. Don't you think? — Hmm, I never thought of that. You're right. It's not important what others think of us. What's important is what we think of ourselves. Go. Good luck, Captain Tin.
Tin's Journey
Tin took a deep breath and set off towards the ballerina. He fell a few times trying to jump towards her. But each time he got up and jumped with the same energy.
He finally reached the castle. He was excited, but he was sure of what he wanted to do.
— Just tell her how beautiful she is and that you'd like to get to know her better. — Uh, hello, miss! I'm here to tell you that I am beautiful. — Huh? Excuse me? — Oh, no, no, no, I mean, you are beautiful. I mean, not that others are ugly, but I mean that no one is ugly. And this castle is beautiful. Uh, and this pond. The giraffe and the panda, they are all beautiful creatures. Not that I would call you a creature. I should stop talking.
Meeting Tracy
— You must be Captain Tin! I hope you're not hurt! You fell a few times. — Oh, yes. It's a challenge to walk on just one leg. — Oh, yes. I'm sorry. — Oh, don't be. Jumping is very good exercise. — Yes!
Tracy couldn't take her eyes off Tin. She had never seen a soldier with such a strong will. He was truly special.
— I came here to tell you that you are the most beautiful ballerina and I would like us to be friends. — Thank you, Captain!
Tin and Tracy spent the whole night by the pond, laughing and telling stories. It was the most beautiful night for both of them.
Tin's Disappearance
— Come on! Come see the new toys! I'll introduce you to my new captain. He's strong and handsome. Captain Tin! — Oh! Where is he? Mom! Have you seen Captain Tin? — Hmm, so many toys! Oh, the tin soldier. Wait. He's broken. I need to say goodbye to him properly. Let me send him away in a boat.
Adventure on the River and Sea
— Go on, soldier! Have a pleasant journey! — Oh! No! Ah! What? Where am I going?
The water flowed at a great speed. Tin couldn't do anything.
— No! Ah! No! I must find a way to escape, to get back to my boy and Tracy!
But before Tin could do anything, he fell deeper and deeper into the canal. The water flowed slower now. But Tin could neither turn the boat nor jump out of it. He knew he would drown in the water.
Hours passed and the steadfast little soldier kept trying to turn the boat. But then...
— No! No! No!
The water joined the sea. The boat was completely destroyed. Tin was made of tin. He tried his best, but he couldn't swim. And Tin sank to the bottom of the sea.
Underwater Challenges
— Oh, Tracy! I'm sorry. No! I won't give up! I am Captain Tin! I will try my whole life to return to Tracy and Monu!
But the challenges weren't over. As Tin got up and tried to reach the surface, a big fish came towards him and swallowed him.
— Oh, no! Stupid fish! I am not food! Let me go!
The steadfast little soldier kept moving inside the fish to free himself. The fish wasn't feeling well and came to the surface of the water. Then...
— I caught him! I'll serve a good fish today!
Return Home
The cook brought the fish into the kitchen and cut it with a big, sharp knife.
— Ho! What? What is this? A tin soldier!
The cook quickly washed the little soldier under the tap. He wanted to show everyone what he had found. After all, a soldier had returned from his mission.
But Tin felt different. He didn't notice the cook's face. But he noticed something else.
— Why does this place look familiar? Is it possible? Maybe I hit my head too hard.
But Tin was right. He had been there before. It was the same house. He had returned to Monu and his love, Tracy.
Reunion and Tragedy
— This is my Captain Tin! I lost him again! Oh, thank you for bringing him back!
Tin was happy to see Monu. But his eyes searched for his dear ballerina. And there she was, standing exactly in her place, waiting for him. As Tin looked at her, his gaze was fixed.
He didn't realize when the cook slipped, and Tin flew into the fireplace fire.
— No! Captain Tin!
But it was too late. Tin was melting. But he felt no pain. Because he was looking at his beautiful ballerina.
Tracy couldn't take her eyes off the soldier either. If only she could go with him. Just then, Monu had an idea. He quickly ran to the window and opened it.
— That's it! The wind will put out the fire!
But the wind couldn't put out the fire. All it did was push the paper ballerina towards the burning fire.
— Oh, no! Tracy!
All the toys watched as Tracy and Tin burned in the fire. They had a smile on their faces. They were finally together.
A Fused Heart
Before Mom came, the fire had burned the paper ballerina and the tin soldier. Nothing was left of them.
— Oh, Mom! Tracy and Tin are gone! — Oh, I'm so sorry, my child! — What is that? Is it a heart?
And it really was a heart. It was a black heart, made of melted tin. It had a tiny red heart right in the center.
Exactly like the one that was pinned to the ballerina's dress. It's all that was left of her. Monu knew his toys very well. He knew what had happened.
He smiled and kept the fused heart on the top shelf. Now no one would ever disturb Tin and Tracy again. They were going to be together forever, and Monu was not going to lose either of them again.
Tracy and Tin were now inseparable.
