"The Little Match Girl" is a poignant story by Hans Christian Andersen about a poor girl who sells matches on a cold New Year's Eve. As she struggles to stay warm, she lights her matches one by one, each flame bringing her visions of warmth, love, and happiness. As she continues to light her matches, she sees her deceased grandmother, who represents comfort and safety. Ultimately, the girl succumbs to the cold, and in her final moments, she finds peace in her dreams, leaving behind a world that was harsh and unkind.