Twenty five tin soldiers, placed in a large box, continue to wait for a child to open the box. All were made from the same made from the same spoon, all exactly alike, save for one who is missing a leg because the maker of the soldiers ran out of tin.

Different, yet proudly standing as tall as the others. Black hats, white trousers, black boots and a rifle held tightly in place, the steadfast soldier performed as well as the others who were more fortunate. When taken out of the box, the steadfast soldier noted other toys in the room, including a beautiful paper castle with a lovely maiden standing so prettily outside the castle door. When the soldiers were placed back in the box, the steadfast tin soldier remained, gazing at the beautiful ballerina.

At night, when the toys come alive, the other tin soldiers could not open the fixed lid. But the one without a full leg, remained since the day. In a large snuff box, came a wicked, ugly goblin. With a nasty voice demanding the tin solider to return to the box. The next morning,the children placed the tin soldier on the windowsill, where he promptly fell. Frantically searching, none of the children could find the soldier. Two children, passing boy, made a paper boat for the solider. Spinning round and round, in dizzying speed, the boat flew down a drain.

A big, fat rat demanded a pass before the soldier could continue. The soldier put aside his fear and followed the current until light. Sinking to the bottom of the water, he landed inside the belly of a fish.

When the fish was split open by the person who caught him, the solider escaped and found himself back in the living room of the house with the beautiful dancer spinning beautifully.

The final adventure was nasty children who threw him into the fire. As he continued to watch the ballerina, his heart was filled with love. The next day, the maid found a small tin heart with a spangle the ballerina wore when she performed her beautiful dance. ( )