once upon a time a little girl tried to make a living by selling matches in the
street It was new years eve and the snowed streets were deserte from brightly
lit windows came the tinkle of laughter and the sound of singing people were
getting ready to bring in the new year but the poor little match seller sat
sadly beside the fountain ragged dress and worn shawl did not keep out the
cold and she tried to keep her bare feet from touching the frozen ground she
had not sold one box of matches all day and she was frightened to go home for
her father would certainly be angry it would be much warmer anyway in the
attic that was her home the little girl fingers were stiff with cold
if only she could light a match but what would her father say at such a waste
falteringly she took out a match and lit it what a nice warm flame the little
match seller cupped her hand over it and as she did so she magically saw in its
light a big brightly burning stove she held out her hands to the heat but just
then the match went out and the vision faded The night seemed blacker than before