14 THE LITTLE TIN SOLDIER
Once upon a time, there was a Tin Soldier. He lived in a box.
One day he jumped out.
He said, “I will go and fight for the King.”
So he walked and walked till he met a Gun.
“Good morning, Tin Soldier,” said the Gun. “Where are you going today?”
The Tin Soldier said, “I am going to fight for the King.”
“May I go?” asked the Gun.
“Come along,” said the Soldier.
So the Gun went along, too.
By and by they met a Drum.
“Good morning, Tin Soldier,” said the Drum. “Where are you going today?”
The Tin Soldier said, “I am going to fight for the King.”
“May I go?” asked the Drum.
“Come along,” said the Soldier.
So the Drum went along, too.
They walked on till they met a Sword.
“Good morning, Tin Soldier,” said the Sword. “Where are you going today?”
The Tin Soldier said, “I am going to fight for the King.”
“May I go?” asked the Sword.
“Come along,” said the Soldier.
So the Sword went along, too.
By and by they met a Bugle.
“Good morning, Tin Soldier,” said the Bugle. “Where are you going today?”
The Tin Soldier said, “I am going to fight for the King.”
“May I go?” asked the Bugle.
“Come along,” said the Soldier.
They came to the King’s Castle.
Tin Soldier said, “We have come to fight for you, O King.”
And the King thanked them and gave each one a medal.