It was a very cold and snowy New Year's Eve.
Everyone on the street was in a rush to get somewhere.
Some to their families and some to their warm homes.
They were all wearing thick coats with scarfs and gloves to stay warm in the freezing weather.
On the corner of a street there was a little girl.
Her dress was tattered, and she was not wearing a coat, a scarf or gloves.
In this bitter cold weather, the girl was shivering,
taking little steps, trying to walk in the unsuitable slippers she had on.
She was shy and somewhat thin,
but still very beautiful.
She carried a vending tray with a strap around her neck, with many matchboxes in it.
She was the match girl that always tried to sell matches on the street.
On that freezing snowy night,
while the little girl was struggling to walk , her slippers suddenly tore.
She started crying,
and her tears blended with the snow.
What am I going to do now?
How am I going to manage walking barefooted in the snow now?
Hopeless, she continued walking.
She was now a barefooted match girl.
She couldn't go home without having sold any matches.
I have matches.....matches...would you like to buy some?
She sought sheltered in a corner,
sitting on the ground with her feet under her dress.
Doesn't anyone want to buy matches?
Her voice was barely audible,
and she still hadn't sold a single matchbox.
Dear God, please let me sell these.
I need to bring money to buy soup for Mother and medicine for Grandma.
The wind blew snow that covered her hair and got into her eyes.
She was now freezing in that corner.
I.....I have some matches.....
There were only a few people passing by,
because it was really late.
The match girl continued to shout,
but her voice was weak.
Matches…I have some matches... matches.
Her frozen fingers started to hurt.
If I could warm up a little bit,
maybe I can stay a little longer.
I'll light a match to warm up.
Her cold hands were not even able to hold the matchbox.
She managed to light up a match.
The small flame coming from the match was so warm that it felt really nice in her frozen fingers.
She felt better having the warmth of that small flame.
She closed her eyes and started dreaming.
Now I'm in a warm room.
I'm warming up my hands and feet next to a stove.
I also have a nice thick shawl over my shoulders.
The little flame coming from the match had made her dream.
But when the flame from the match was put out, she was cold again.
So, she immediately lit another match.
She thought that this was a good game to play.
This time, she dreamed that it was a nice spring day
and she was lying over daisies and making a crown out of them.
The sun was so bright in the sky warming her.
Let me gather some more to take home.
When she saw herself gathering daisies,
the match was out again.
She then lit another one.
..and one more..and one more....
There was no limit to beautiful dreams.
And now I see a wonderful dinner table in front of me,
with so many different types of food.
Oohh I'm soo hungry!
First, I'll have some soup,
some chicken too, and chocolate…
Oh, and there is some bread, too.
She was both dreaming and pretending as if she was eating the food.
She had lit so many matches
and the snow had finally stoped falling.
The stars in the sky shone brightly.
She looked up and a shooting star crossed over the sky.
So she made a wish as her grandmother had told her.
"If you ever see a shooting star, your wish will come true".
Dear God, may all my wishes come true!
Snuggled well in the corner,
she fell asleep.
But actually her body had froze.
The match girl opened her eyes in a warm and soft bed.
The stove was burning.
Good morning little girl! How are you?
A sweet old lady was looking at her from across,
so she straightened up and sat in the bed.
Good morning.
Am I dreaming?
Is this real?
Who are you?
Where am I?
I saw you around the corner last night when I was driving home.
A woman was crying next to you.
So I went up to her and she told me she was your mother.
Then we came together to my house.
My mother!
Ohh, I guess she got worried and came looking for me since it was very late.
We brought you here to my house.
Your little body had frozen.
I had to call a doctor in.
Thank goodness I was not too late.
Thank you so much, madam!
But where is my mother?
I have a wonderful suprise for you.
Your mother and grandmother will be here in a little while.
Ohh my! I'm so happy!
Me too little girl.
My house is so big, and I'm really lonely.
I talked it over with your mother,
you will live with me from now on.
Your mother will help me with the housework,
and your grandmother and I will befriends and spend some time together.
Grandma was right,
the wishes we make when we see a shooting star do come true!
You're a very good girl.
Last night, you struggled and went through a difficult time in order to bring some money home.
You didn't give up.
People should persevere in the face of difficulties and always be hopeful.
Grandma always says that life is full of surprises.
Of course, you will start school right away.
You deserve to be happy.
I guess there are still very nice people in this world.
After that day,
the match girl was never ever cold and lived a happy life.