Comments on: The Tinderbox

By: Bertie

Bertie — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:45:39 +0000

Dear Maria, the Tinderbox is a classic children’s story, that has been told many times to children down the years . I don’t think anyone has complained about the violence in this story before, as it’s all rather an aside, and in a magical context that makes it very unreal.

People have pointed out the total lack of a moral, which is puzzling, seems to be a harsh judgement on the world, and is what I think this story is about. Hans Christian Andersen is implying that we can’t always expect people to behave in a “moral” way – for instance the soldier’s friends just desert him when he has no money left. The cutting off of the witch’s head is mentioned in just the same quick, off hand, by the way, sort of manner. It’s not going to disturb you, but it might puzzle you, stay in your mind, and give you an interesting angle on the world. I honestly don’t believe any child is ever going to lose a moment’s sleep over the witch in this story.

By: Marla

Marla — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:58:08 +0000

I wish this website would give warnings for graphic content. Cutting the witch’s head off with a sword was pretty surprising and brutal. At the end, when the dogs kill so many people by throwing them into the air until they are dashed to pieces is also very brutal.

I found this story not suitable for young children. Please add some sort of warnings for killing or mutilation.

By: star

star — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:27:54 +0000

great i love it

By: amy

amy — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:21:16 +0000

ccccccccccccccccccccccccccoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooollllllllllllllllllllllllll

By: Bertie

Bertie — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:14:03 +0000

Dear Charmian, I agree that the ending of the TInderbox is a bit harsh.

By: Charmian

Charmian — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:45:28 +0000

I think it was very unkind of the dog to lift the king and queen.
But good story anyway.

By: Kevan

Kevan — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:01:59 +0000

Great!!!

By: Jacab

Jacab — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:20:49 +0000

I wondder that if anybody have found some missing piece in this story’s MP3 file, or just my download program was wrong. I am not good at using computer, and my English is poor too.
But I like this website, all of the story can recall my childhood and studies that I had learned when I was a teenager.
I had downloaded a lot of material from here . I am thankful for all.
I usually bring my lap top to local library using public resoure to download your story. Everytime I download 5 item in same time. Hopefuly, It is not the cause to make this popular website into circular trouble.
PS: seem have mistake in “The Ugly Duckling ” the tale MP3 too.

By: Charmian

Charmian — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:57:56 +0000

Nice man! Wicked and classic!

By: chynna

chynna — Wed, 27 May 2009 09:46:28 +0000

what a impressive story

THE TINDERBOX:/

By: dp

dp — Sat, 02 May 2009 20:26:30 +0000

hE DIDNT PUT THE THIRD DOG ON THE APRON

By: Bertie

Bertie — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:08:52 +0000

Hello Sadie, Glad you liked the Tinderbox and the ending !

By: sadie

sadie — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:54:04 +0000

I think it’s the best story we have ever read by Hans Christian Andersen
I really enjoyed reading it also i like the dogs if I was the soldier I would be scared of those creepy look’in dogs also I love the ending of the story.I think its great how storys get good endings i really hate it when someone dies.I enjoyed talking to you

By: sadie and emily

sadie and emily — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:50:16 +0000

I like this story I did it on a report about Hans Christian Andersen i really enjoyed reading it

By: Bertie

Bertie — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 21:12:41 +0000

Salwa, not all stories have a moral and The Tinderbox perhaps tells you not to expect that everything that happens in life follows a clear moral.

By: Salwa

Salwa — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 12:14:09 +0000

hey,
what is the moral in it .maybe you should give the summary of the middle of the story.
bye.

By: simon

simon — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:32:21 +0000

i liked the story o bauot the tindr bocs

By: Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 12:06:48 +0000

i HATE IT

By: Nina

Nina — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:39:36 +0000

I have this story in a book at home!

By: isi

isi — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:47:26 +0000

My name is ISI I am 7 and I go to KS in HK.

I realy liked, I have heard it before, but this time is was better because it was the original story.
The soldier was kind of greedy because he kept on getting stuff he wanted.
The King was wrong for keeping the princess in the tower, and the soldier was right to let her go.
Try ‘THE TINDERBOX’ it is a wonderful story.
bye

By: Alina

Alina — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 06:39:30 +0000

I like it when the Witch lets the soldier have money but I don’t like it when the soldier cuts off the witches head .It was a bit sad when the soldier has to be hanged up but it’s quite happy when the soldier can marry the princess.

By: bumble bee

bumble bee — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:29:41 +0000

this story is a little creepy if you ask me,i mean,dogs with eyes the size of mill wheals!!!!! yeesh! buy natasha,ur awsome!

By: kasi

kasi — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:14:41 +0000

in my thired grade class we have read the tinderbox.if you could make more storys like that i would love that so would you.

By: Jiin

Jiin — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:12:58 +0000

thank you

By: Jiin

Jiin — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:12:16 +0000

I was very enjoying the Tinder Box story.

By: ahmed

ahmed — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 11:56:24 +0000

i love it i like the uglyess of the which

By: Thao

Thao — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:41:57 +0000

Hello Bertie and Natasha !
How are you ?
I’m fine !
I am a 9 years old girl and I am from Vietnam !
I’ve just found out this website .
I have heard a few stories from Storynory and I have loved it already !
Thank you very much for all your hard work !
With Best Wishes
Thao

By: sharanya

sharanya — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:05:08 +0000

this story was like sooooooooooooooo good i simply loved it mannnnnnnn thanks bertie soooooooooooo much make more good storys like this one.

By: Bertie

Bertie — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:30:32 +0000

Thanks Hannah – The credit for the writing must go to Hans Christian Andersen of course, and I think that his stories especially The Snow Queen and this one are wonderful

By: Hannah B.

Hannah B. — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:27:55 +0000

Wow Bertie! great story!

By: squidge

squidge — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:04:53 +0000

we love this website and all the storyies thankyou

By: Beth

Beth — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:08:32 +0000

Thank you. The narration was very entertaining. I am impressed that a recording with no sound effects whatever was so enchanting.

By: your mom

your mom — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:37:08 +0000

:( :)

By: your mom

your mom — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:36:16 +0000

:(
:)
:(

By: your mom

your mom — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:35:41 +0000

:) :(

By: warren

warren — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:34:58 +0000

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

By: warren

warren — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:34:20 +0000

:):):):):):):):):):):):)

By: warren

warren — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:33:44 +0000

i really liked this story!!! :) :0

By: sofia

sofia — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:21:53 +0000

it’s really a very interesting story very nice

By: jhay

jhay — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 08:07:48 +0000

i love it so much!although it doesnt have a moral but it shows that the soldier is smart!THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL STORY!!!SALAMAT…..

By: http://storynory.com/

http://storynory.com/ — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:21:13 +0000

This book is good

By: Lina

Lina — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 03:06:10 +0000

I felt so happy when I found these tales. I am an English teacher in Colombia.Thanks! this is an excellent tool to practice listening and reading comprehnsions for beginners. You are so kind with those who sometimes want to change strategies in class. A lot of kisses

By: Davona

Davona — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:56:23 +0000

I really like this story because it had a great ending and it didn’t put me to sleep. It keep me eagered to read more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Bertie

Bertie — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 08:13:27 +0000

Katie – the moral of The Tinderbox is not very clear – but I think it’s really a warning that what people often respect is money and power. Friendship, loyalty and justice don’t really come into this story. It’s not a very kind view of the world – but it makes an interesting story. You don’t have to agree with it to enjoy it.

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:41:14 +0000

i just don’t understand the moral behind the story was it that the common people got so worked up and afraid that they made him their king? I’m so confused

By: Nitish

Nitish — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 09:37:14 +0000

The story had a nice ending because the princess got free from the copper castle.

By: Peter

Peter — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 07:41:00 +0000

This story was fantastic

By: Peter

Peter — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 07:38:36 +0000

This story was great.

By: Marissa

Marissa — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 08:32:45 +0000

Great Story i think this story is interesting because it is not long or short. i wish that the wedding could last for ever.

By: THOMAS

THOMAS — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:37:19 +0000

GREAT STORY