Most terribly cold it was; it snowed, and was nearly quite dark, and evening– the last evening of the year. In this cold and darkness there went along the street a poor little girl, bareheaded, and with naked feet. When she left home she had slippers on, it is true; but what was the good of that? They were very large slippers, which her mother had hitherto worn; so large were they; and the poor little thing lost them as she scuffled away across the street, because of two carriages that rolled by dreadfully fast.

One slipper was nowhere to be found; the other had been laid hold of by an urchin, and off he ran with it; he thought it would do capitally for a cradle when he some day or other should have children himself. So the little maiden walked on with her tiny naked feet, that were quite red and blue from cold. She carried a quantity of matches in an old apron, and she held a bundle of them in her hand. Nobody had bought anything of her the whole livelong day; no one had given her a single farthing.

She crept along trembling with cold and hunger–a very picture of sorrow, the poor little thing!

The flakes of snow covered her long fair hair, which fell in beautiful curls around her neck; but of that, of course, she never once now thought. From all the windows the candles were gleaming, and it smelt so deliciously of roast goose, for you know it was New Year’s Eve; yes, of that she thought.

In a corner formed by two houses, of which one advanced more than the other, she seated herself down and cowered together. Her little feet she had drawn close up to her, but she grew colder and colder, and to go home she did not venture, for she had not sold any matches and could not bring a farthing of money: from her father she would certainly get blows, and at home it was cold too, for above her she had only the roof, through which the wind whistled, even though the largest cracks were stopped up with straw and rags.

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.

She rubbed another against the wall: it burned brightly, and where the light fell on the wall, there the wall became transparent like a veil, so that she could see into the room. On the table was spread a snow-white tablecloth; upon it was a splendid porcelain service, and the roast goose was steaming famously with its stuffing of apple and dried plums. And what was still more capital to behold was, the goose hopped down from the dish, reeled about on the floor with knife and fork in its breast, till it came up to the poor little girl; when–the match went out and nothing but the thick, cold, damp wall was left behind. She lighted another match. Now there she was sitting under the most magnificent Christmas tree: it was still larger, and more decorated than the one which she had seen through the glass door in the rich merchant’s house

Thousands of lights were burning on the green branches, and gaily-colored pictures, such as she had seen in the shop-windows, looked down upon her. The little maiden stretched out her hands towards them when–the match went out. The lights of the Christmas tree rose higher and higher, she saw them now as stars in heaven; one fell down and formed a long trail of fire.

“Someone is just dead!” said the little girl; for her old grandmother, the only person who had loved her, and who was now no more, had told her, that when a star falls, a soul ascends to God.

She drew another match against the wall: it was again light, and in the lustre there stood the old grandmother, so bright and radiant, so mild, and with such an expression of love.

“Grandmother!” cried the little one. “Oh, take me with you! You go away when the match burns out; you vanish like the warm stove, like the delicious roast goose, and like the magnificent Christmas tree!” And she rubbed the whole bundle of matches quickly against the wall, for she wanted to be quite sure of keeping her grandmother near her. And the matches gave such a brilliant light that it was brighter than at noon-day: never formerly had the grandmother been so beautiful and so tall. She took the little maiden, on her arm, and both flew in brightness and in joy so high, so very high, and then above was neither cold, nor hunger, nor anxiety–they were with God.

But in the corner, at the cold hour of dawn, sat the poor girl, with rosy cheeks and with a smiling mouth, leaning against the wall–frozen to death on the last evening of the old year. Stiff and stark sat the child there with her matches, of which one bundle had been burnt. “She wanted to warm herself,” people said. No one had the slightest suspicion of what beautiful things she had seen; no one even dreamed of the splendor in which, with her grandmother she had entered on the joys of a new year.

“The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen: A Tale of Compassion and Hope

“The Little Match Girl,” authored by Hans Christian Andersen, is a timeless and poignant story that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. In this blog post, we will delve into the origins and inspirations behind this tale, its early publications, critical reception, and its notable adaptations that continue to keep its message alive.

Origins and Inspirations:
Hans Christian Andersen, a Danish author, is renowned for his fairy tales. “The Little Match Girl” was first published in Denmark in December 1845 as part of Andersen’s collection titled “New Fairy Tales.” The story draws inspiration from Andersen’s own experiences as a poor and disadvantaged child. Growing up in poverty, he faced many hardships, which allowed him to empathize deeply with the plight of the less fortunate. This personal connection to suffering and empathy for the poor served as the inspiration for “The Little Match Girl.”

Plot Summary:
The story revolves around a young, impoverished girl who is forced to sell matches in the bitter cold on New Year’s Eve. Ignored and neglected by the bustling crowds, she takes refuge in her imagination, lighting matches to create visions of warmth and comfort. Each match she strikes briefly illuminates her surroundings, revealing moments of beauty and happiness. Ultimately, the story takes a heart-wrenching turn, highlighting the tragic consequences of her desperate situation.

Early Publications:
“The Little Match Girl” was published in Danish under the title “Den Lille Pige med Svovlstikkerne.” Its initial publication in Denmark was met with mixed reactions, as some readers found its somber tone and bleak ending deeply moving, while others were disheartened by its tragic conclusion. Nevertheless, the story’s powerful message began to resonate with readers worldwide after being translated into various languages.

Critical Reception:
Over the years, “The Little Match Girl” has received both acclaim and criticism. Some literary critics have praised its emotional depth and Andersen’s ability to convey the harsh realities of life, while others have criticized its melancholic tone. Despite the varying opinions, the story’s lasting impact on literature and its ability to evoke empathy in readers cannot be denied.

Notable Adaptations:
“The Little Match Girl” has been adapted into various forms of media, including plays, ballets, operas, and animated films. One notable adaptation is the 2006 animated short film by Disney, titled “The Little Matchgirl.” This adaptation, while maintaining the story’s somber tone, offers a glimmer of hope in its conclusion.

Conclusion:
“The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen is a testament to the power of storytelling in conveying the harsh realities of life and the enduring hope that resides within the human spirit. Its ability to evoke empathy and inspire compassion for the less fortunate has solidified its place as one of the most beloved and enduring stories in literary history. Despite its melancholic theme, it continues to remind us of the importance of compassion, kindness, and the enduring hope for a better tomorrow.