The Little Match Girl — Hans Christian Andersen

Her little hands were almost numbed with cold Oh a match might afford her a world of comfort if she only dared take a single one out of the bundle draw it against the wall and warm her fingers by it She drew one out Rischt how it blazed how it burnt It was a warm bright flame like a candle as she held her hands over it it was a wonderful light It seemed really to the little maiden as though she were sitting before a large iron stove with burnished brass feet and a brass ornament at top The fire burned with such blessed influence it warmed so delightfully The little girl had already stretched out her feet to warm them too but the small flame went out the stove vanished she had only the remains of the burnt out match in her hand