PETRA YVONNE ENGLISH
Learn English Through Stories
The Little Match Girl
Enjoy this beautiful and touching retelling of The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen, perfect for those who want to learn English through stories. Listen to the audio while reading along to improve your vocabulary, pronunciation, and understanding of English. Whether you’re an English learner or just love Christmas stories, this timeless classic will warm your heart. 🎄✨ This is a short version of the original story, presented as an audiobook for your enjoyment.
📚 What you’ll gain from this story:
- Practice your English listening and reading skills.
- Learn new words and phrases in a festive context.
- Enjoy a magical Christmas story with a meaningful message.
Once upon a time, on a cold winter’s evening, there was a little girl walking through the streets. The snow was falling gently, covering the ground in a soft blanket of white. The night was growing darker and colder, and the little girl had nothing but a thin, worn dress, and no shoes on her feet.
She was barefoot, and her feet were cold, red, and aching from the snow. Her little face was pale, and her nose was bright red from the cold. She had no coat to keep her warm, just a bundle of matches she was trying to sell to anyone who would buy them.
But no one seemed to notice her. The people hurried past her, bundled up in warm clothes, going home to the comfort of their houses. The little girl called out softly, “Matches, please, matches,” but everyone was too busy, and no one stopped to help.
She had been trying to sell her matches all day, but she hadn’t sold a single one. Her little stomach growled with hunger, and her whole body shivered from the cold. As she walked down the street, she noticed a warm glow coming from the windows of a house.
She peeked inside and saw a lovely family gathered around a big, crackling fire. The flames flickered, casting a soft light across the room. The smell of something delicious—perhaps a hot meal—came from inside, and the little girl’s mouth watered.
She could hardly bear the thought of being out here in the cold while everyone else was inside, warm and safe. She had no place to go, and she didn’t know where to turn. So, she found a little nook, sheltered from the wind, and sat down in the snow.
Her teeth chattered from the cold, and her tiny hands trembled as she held onto the bundle of matches. She closed her eyes for a moment, wishing more than anything for warmth. Finally, she decided to light one of the matches, hoping for a little warmth.
She struck the match against the wall, and for a brief moment, a small flame flickered to life. As she held it up, she saw before her a beautiful little stove, with bright, glowing coals inside. It was so warm! She could almost feel the heat on her face.
She imagined herself sitting next to it, feeling cozy and safe. But as the match burned out, the stove disappeared, leaving only the cold, empty street once again. She sighed softly, but then, as if to comfort herself, she struck another match.
This time, the match flared up, and suddenly, she was surrounded by the most wonderful sight. A Christmas tree, tall and full of sparkling candles, twinkling ornaments, and shining lights, stood before her. It was the most beautiful tree she had ever seen.
The candles flickered brightly, and the ornaments sparkled like stars. She felt so warm and happy, as if she could reach out and touch the twinkling lights. But again, as the match burned out, the tree vanished, and she was once again in the cold and darkness of the street.
Still, the little girl didn’t give up. She struck yet another match, hoping for something to bring her comfort. This time, the match burned brightly, and before her, she saw a magnificent feast. A large, golden-brown roast goose sat on a platter.
The goose was surrounded by apples, prunes, and delicious-looking vegetables. The smell was so real, so inviting, that her stomach growled even more. She could almost taste the food. She imagined herself sitting down at the table, eating her fill and feeling satisfied.
But just as quickly as it had appeared, the vision of the feast disappeared, leaving only the cold night and the sound of the wind. The little girl felt her heart ache from hunger, and she looked down at the matches in her hands.
There was only one left. She held it tightly and struck it one last time, hoping for warmth, or perhaps for something beautiful to make her feel less alone. This time, as the match flickered and burned, something wonderful happened.
She saw her grandmother. The little girl’s grandmother was the only person in the world who had ever shown her kindness and love. Her grandmother was smiling warmly at her, and she opened her arms as if inviting the little girl to come into her embrace.
The little girl’s heart filled with joy. She wanted to run to her grandmother, to feel her loving arms around her, and to be safe and warm. “Grandmother, take me with you!” the little girl cried out with all her heart.
But as the last match burned down to nothing, the warm light of her grandmother disappeared. The little girl sat quietly, staring at the empty air where the vision had been, feeling as though she were floating in a peaceful dream.
And so, in the cold of that night, the little girl, with a gentle smile still on her face, closed her eyes. Her body became still, and the cold did not bother her anymore. She was no longer hungry or afraid. In her dreams, she was with her grandmother, surrounded by warmth and love.
Safe and happy at last, the little girl’s smile never left her face. The next morning, when the townspeople walked down the street, they found the little girl still sitting in the corner, her little body covered in snow.
They didn’t know about the matches, or the beautiful visions the little girl had seen. But they saw that her smile was soft and peaceful, and they knew she had found the warmth she had longed for. As the snow continued to fall, the people remembered the little girl and her dreams.
They thought about how often we forget those in need, and how important it is to share warmth and kindness with others. And so, every year, when the first snowflakes of winter begin to fall, we remember the little match girl and her journey.
May every child find love, warmth, and someone to help them, so no one is left alone in the cold. With kindness and care, we can make the world a warmer, happier place.
The End.
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