The Selected Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen: "The Little Match-seller" by Hans Christian Andersen

It is true she had on a pair of slippers when she left home, but they were not of much use. They were very large, so large, indeed, that they had belonged to her mother, and the poor little creature had lost them in running across the street to avoid two carriages that were rolling along at a terrible rate.

One of the slippers she could not find, and a boy seized upon the other and ran away with it, saying that he could use it as a cradle, when he had children of his own.

The snowflakes fell on her long, fair hair, which hung in curls on her shoulders, but she regarded them not.

The snowflakes fell on her long, fair hair, which hung in curls on her shoulders, but she regarded them not.

Lights were shining from every window, and there was a savory smell of roast goose, for it was New-year's eve—yes, she remembered that.

In a corner, between two houses, one of which projected beyond the other, she sank down and huddled herself together.

Ah! perhaps a burning match might be some good, if she could draw it from the bundle and strike it against the wall, just to warm her fingers. She drew one out—"scratch!" how it sputtered as it burnt!

The table was covered with a snowy white table-cloth, on which stood a splendid dinner service, and a steaming roast goose, stuffed with apples and dried plums.

It burst into a flame, and where its light fell upon the wall it became as transparent as a veil, and she could see into the room.

It burst into a flame, and where its light fell upon the wall it became as transparent as a veil, and she could see into the room.

It was larger and more beautifully decorated than the one which she had seen through the glass door at the rich merchant's.

Thousands of tapers were burning upon the green branches, and colored pictures, like those she had seen in the show-windows, looked down upon it all.

Then she saw a star fall, leaving behind it a bright streak of fire.

"Grandmother," cried the little one, "O take me with you; I know you will go away when the match burns out; you will vanish like the warm stove, the roast goose, and the large, glorious Christmas-tree."

And she made haste to light the whole bundle of matches, for she wished to keep her grandmother there.