The Little Match Girl
A Cold and Lonely Night
Under the dim glow of a lantern, a young girl huddles by the side of a narrow street. People walk around her, busy heading home to the warmth of their houses. The cold stabs at her skin, and the wind feels like a sharp knife. She holds a few matchsticks, the only possession left to her. Each beat of her heart is filled with the desire to feel warmth, no matter how small. In a hidden corner of the city, the poor girl sits on the cement, trying not to shiver. In those moments, it feels as if the whole world has changed in her small body—the sound of the wind, each step of shoes on the street, all serve as reminders of the cruel reality she faces.
Life on the Streets
Every day, the little girl walks along the roads, selling matchsticks to passing people. Her thick cloak from the previous night is warm, but even with it, she cannot escape the cold around her. The houses glow with light, filled with lamps and candles, and the laughter of families can be heard at the dinner table. Despite this, she remains apart, almost unnoticed by the wealthy, indifferent to the visible form of poverty. Sometimes, someone with a kind heart passes by and buys her matchsticks, but such moments are rare. Most eyes seem blind to her plight.
As the night deepens, the cold tightens. The store windows are filled with toys and sweet foods, seemingly tempting every passerby. The girl shivers, longing to feel warmth, even for a moment. In her small hands, her fingers tremble with the cold, and tears fall that she cannot hold back. Each puff of her breath, white in the cold, is a reminder that she is alone, with no home to return to. In such a situation, hope feels like a distant dream, but it still gives her the strength to continue selling, even as her eyes grow heavy with fatigue.
The Small Light of Hope
To ward off the cold, she lights a match. In that first moment, the light flares, and each second seems to bring comfort. In the middle of the dark street, the small light becomes a great beacon, reminding her of the warmth of home. Within the flame, a vision appears: a joyful dinner table with family—a dream full of laughter, love, and delicious food. She sees her grandmother smiling, her mother offering bread, and her sibling hugging her lovingly.
She continues to light match after match. With each strike of the wood, the scene changes. From the dinner table, she finds herself in front of a brightly lit Christmas tree, decorated with ornaments and lights. She hears the sounds of carols and sees children walking happily. Her heart dances with joy—the warmth of those moments brings a smile to her lips. However, the light fades, and once again, she is left in the cold. Each new match brings a fresh dream, but with it, a bittersweet return to reality.
The Dream and the Fall
The child’s mind spins with a vision full of hope. One night, her dream deepens further: she sees her own silhouette supporting various children on the streets. In her dream, she provides food, gathers matchsticks amidst the biting cold, and promises she will not move until every child can breathe with hope. The image of herself, glowing in the darkness, gives her courage and inspiration. She feels that she can change the world, even if her matchsticks are so small.
When the light fades once again, a deep sadness creeps into her heart. She looks at her hands—her last matchstick buried in her thumb. The reality tightens around her chest: there will be no more warmth, no more family dinner table. Every beat of her heart seems to remind her that her hope is slowly being extinguished. She feels the earth beneath her, an unusual cold touching her cheeks, and tears fall, uncontrollably now.
A Quiet Farewell
In her final moments, she lights one last match. In its glow, she sees everything she ever wished for: her grandmother hugging her, her sibling smiling joyfully, and her mother holding warm bread. This light joins with her breath, and she trembles as a smile forms on her face. When the light fades, she no longer feels the cold or hunger. It’s as though her soul is floating, carried away from the pain of the world.
The next morning, she is found beneath a bridge, holding a box of matchsticks. There is no trace of sadness in her eyes—it seems as though a better life is just within reach. Those who saw her looked on with pity, and the message of compassion lingered in their hearts. Her farewell, though beautiful and sorrowful, became a reminder to all that, despite poverty and cruelty, the power of hope and human kindness endures.