The Little Match Girl
On the coldest evening of the year, a poor little girl wanders barefoot through the snowy streets. She has no shoes and carries a bundle of matches to sell, but no one buys anything from her. With no money to bring home, she fears the blows she will receive from her father. The wind whistles through the cracks in her roof, leaving her cold and hungry. She cowers in a corner between two houses, shivering as the snow covers her hair. Desperate for warmth, she strikes one match against the wall. The bright flame creates an illusion of a warm iron stove before it vanishes. She lights another match and sees a delicious roast goose steaming on a table. The goose hops toward her, but the light fades, leaving only a cold wall behind. A third match reveals a magnificent Christmas tree with glowing candles. As she reaches for the lights, they rise up to become stars in the sky. One star falls, reminding her of her beloved grandmother who has passed away. She strikes another match and sees her grandmother standing there, radiant and kind. Fearing the vision will disappear, she lights the entire bundle of matches at once. Her grandmother lifts her up, and they fly together into a place without cold or hunger. At dawn, people find the little girl frozen to death in the corner. She sits with a smile on her face, holding the burnt-out matches. The Narrator explains that she went into the joys of a new year with her loved ones.
