The Flying Trunk
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The Flying Trunk is a Danish fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen. Andrew Lang included it in The Pink Fairy Book.
[edit] Synopsis
A rich merchant died. His son squandered the money until he owned four shillings, a pair of slippers, and an old dressing-gown. A friend sent him a trunk with directions to pack up. Having nothing to pack, he got in himself. It was enchanted, and when he pressed on the lock, it carried him to the land of the Turks. There his dressing gown was normal clothing. He heard about the sultan's daughter, who was kept in a tower because of a prophecy that her marriage would be unhappy. He used the trunk to get to her and persuade her to marry him. When her father and mother came, he visited and told a story that was both merry and instructive. They were impressed and agreed he could marry her.
He took a gift, sold it, and bought fireworks to let off. This impressed everyone with the magician who was to marry the princess, but a spark burned up the trunk, and he could no longer reach the princess.
