Day 7 Christmas Story

Today I offer up another old favorite, The Little Match Girl, by Hans Christian Andersen.  I remember this story from childhood but did not really appreciate how sad it was until I had children and tried to read it to them with a cracking voice.  Now that I have grandchildren I wouldn't even attempt it out loud.  This story is well worth the tears.

This classic tale is about a little girl who is sent out in the freezing weather each day to sell small bundles of matches on the street corners. On the last night of the year she seeks shelter from the cold and strikes a match to warm herself.  In the light she sees visions including her grandmother.  She strikes one match after another to maintain the vision of the only person who ever loved her. 

Although not truly a Christmas story, The Little Match Girl is found in several anthologies such 10 Best Loved Christmas Classic Stories for All Ages and Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales: A Selection (Oxford World's Classics) both free on Kindle.  You can also read it free in one file from Daily Lit.  There have been a couple of movies based on this winter classic.

Day 5 Christmas Story

The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Andersen is today's Christmas story.  Another classic this story, origionally published in 1884, has stood the test of time. 

Like many of us, the small fir tree dreams of growing up and becoming something grand.  He fails to see the beauty and comfort all around him.  As he continues to grow, he continues to dream of a better fate until one day he is chopped down and taken away to become a Christmas tree is a grand home.  His dreams have come to pass--or have they. 

This "be careful what you wish for" tale can be found in stores and at a variety of online sources.  You can read it online at the Literature Network, free on Kindle as Fairy Tales of Hans C. Andersen, for Nook as part of a paid collection, libraries and book stores.  There are several versions on the market, some in picture book format.