Author: Hans Christian Andersen / Year: 1805-1875 / Genre: 6-9 years As she wanders the streets, the snow falls on the girl’s long blonde hair, which “curled so prettily” along her neck. However, “to such things” the little girl “never gave a thought.” All of the windows surrounding the girl are full of light and she can smell roast goose from the New Year’s feasts—something the girl “does think about.” With her hands “numb from cold,” the little girl lights one of her matches to warm them. She holds her hands over the warm, bright flame, which gives a “strange” light. The match, it seems, has become an iron stove, and she is finally comfortable sitting by this fire. However, the match soon sputters out, which makes the stove vanish, returning the little girl to her reality.
