The main character in the story, a soldier, is sent by a witch to visit an underground treasure trove. The witch tells him that he can bring back as much money as he can carry and keep that for himself but he must give her an old tinderbox which he will also find down there. When the witch refuses to tell him why she wants the tinderbox, the soldier keeps it for himself. He later discovers that the tinderbox has the power to make all his wishes come true. The soldier finds that he does not have to worry about money again and also gets to see the princess, kept locked away from view by the king who is afraid that she will marry a common soldier.