The Tinderbox
The magic flint and tinder of Hans Christian Andersen's tale, in which a soldier finds an old witch's tinderbox in a hollow tree guarded by three enormous dogs with eyes as large as saucers, wagon wheels, and round towers. Each strike of the flint summons one of the dogs, which bring him money, carry the princess to him at night, and finally rescue him from the gallows. The story, built on older folk motifs of the magic object and tamed or grateful animals, turned the homely tinderbox into the key to wealth and a kingdom. The three metal dogs of the tale are themselves remembered as folkloric