THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL

Everybody has a life, a life story and a destiny which are necessary to be appreciated, to be
loved and understood. And now, let’s hear “The little match girl”, a story that I believe everyone
will cry. The story began at a very cold winter evening. In fact, it was New Year’s Eve, the last
day of the year. People walked quickly on the street because it was too cold. Everyone busily
prepared to welcome New year. In a small house, there were a little girl and her grandmother.
They were talking to each other.

Minh: Grandmo, New Year is coming.

Nhân: Yes right, my little angel!

Minh: . I wish we could have a merry Christmas and a happy new year. But grandmo, we are
too poor, we have nothing to welcome New Year, we even don’t have anything to eat. Are you
okay grandmo, you are sick now ??

Nhân: I’m okay, don’t worry about me. I’m happy when we’re here together

Suddenly, her father came home after having drunk alcohol.

Tài : Oh my daughter, go out and sell these matches. I’m so hungry

Minh: But Daddy, it’s too cold outside. I have no warm clothes.

Tài: Quickly, don’t explain anything to me. Sell out these and come back. Don’t come home
unless you sell them all.

Nhân: Stop it. She’s your daughter. Why do you treat her like that???

Minh: Grandmo..... wait for me, I’ll come back

The girl went out. Outside, cold snow was falling, and it was almost dark. That little girl had no
coat, her clothes were ragged and thin, and she had no shoes. Her little hand and feet were red
from the cold . She had on a small apron that had a large poket. The poket was filled with
matches . She wandered on every street, asked every one to buy her matches but no one cared
about her, no one bought any matches that night, not a single one.

Minh: Matches! Buy some matches!

When it was getting darker, she stopped in front of the chancel and she was hearing a hymn.

There, she was so sad when she remembered the happy time when she had her family.
When the bell rang, she went on sell the last matches. She talked to a customer:

Minh: Madam, please buy some matches for me !!

Khách: No, I don’t want, get away, you creep. What a terrible !!

She wigged the little match girl and pushed her. The little girl picked up the matches which were
fallen on the street and went on ...

As she walked slowly on the busy street, she could see all the lights from the warm houses.
She could also smell the wonderful food people were cooking. if only she could have something
warm to eat! Hungry and Cold as she was, she could not go home. Her father would be very
angry if she did not sell any matches

It began to snow heavily and the little match girl walked over to the building and sat down on
the ground, learning against the walls. As she was too cold, the little match girl took one match
from her apron and lit it. The flame from the match was very bright. Then she saw a large iron
stove, looking very warm in front of her. She stretched out her hands and feet toward the
stove. But the stove disappeared and she was left in the dark.

The little girl lit another match. The flame burned bright again. She saw a beautiful christmas
tree with hundreds of candles. When the little girl was about to touch the tree, The match went
out. And then she saw a candle rise up to the sky and become stars. One of the star fell, leaving
a trail of light across the night sky.

Minh: Someone must be dying.

Said the little girl. Her grandmother once told her that when a star fell, a soul went up to God.
She lit another match. The light shone everywhere. And in the middle of the light, she saw her
beloved grandmother, her loving smile.

Minh: Grandmo, grandmo ....! You’re here?? I told you to wait for me at home. I’ve seen a star
falling down. Grandmo, you said that when we see a star falls, someone dies. Does it mean that
I’ve lost you ?? Did God take you to the heaven??

Nhân: Oh my child, please don’t cry. I wanna see your smile Mary. I’m here for you

Minh: Grandmo, please don’t leave me. Please take me with you grandmo. I know you will
disappear as soon as my match goes out just like that stove and the wonderful christmas tree.

Quickly, the girl struck all the matches she had. The matches burned brilliantly. She could see
her grandmother clearly and beautifully. Her grandmother smile and appeased her
Nhân: Mary, I’m here to help you. I know you have many difficulties this time and I know you
love me best. Come here my angel, come close to me, lie on my arms and close your eyes. I’ll
lull you to sleep. We will go to a place where we are happy forever, with your mother.

The little girl sleep peacefully in her grandmother’s arms. They flew high up, higher and higher
into the light. They flew to a place where the little girl would never feel hungry or cold or afraid.
She and her grandmother were with God in heaven. The next morning, on New Year’s day, the
little girl was found lying against the building. She had died in the night. There was a smile on
her little face. In her hand were all the matches she burned.

Khách: Oh, she must have tried to keep herself warm.

Nobody knew what wonderful things the little match girl had seen. They did not know how
happy she was when she went into the arms of her grandmother and went to be with God
forever..............

THE END