Tuesday, December 11, 2012

The Little Match Seller 2012 SE



The Little Match-Seller

by

Hans Christian Andersen

(1846)

IT was terribly cold and nearly dark on the last evening of the old year, and the snow was falling fast. In the cold and the darkness, a poor little girl, with bare head and naked feet, roamed through the streets. It is true she had on a pair of slippers when she left home, but they were not of much use. They were very large, so large, indeed, that they had belonged to her mother, and the poor little creature had lost them in running across the street to avoid two carriages that were rolling along at a terrible rate. One of the slippers she could not find, and a boy seized upon the other and ran away with it, saying that he could use it as a cradle, when he had children of his own. So the little girl went on with her little naked feet, which were quite red and blue with the cold. In an old apron she carried a number of matches, and had a bundle of them in her hands. No one had bought anything of her the whole day, nor had anyone given her even a penny. Shivering with cold and hunger, she crept along; poor little child, she looked the picture of misery. The snowflakes fell on her long, fair hair, which hung in curls on her shoulders, but she regarded them not.
Lights were shining from every window, and there was a savory smell of roast goose, for it was New-year’s eve—yes, she remembered that. In a corner, between two houses, one of which projected beyond the other, she sank down and huddled herself together. She had drawn her little feet under her, but she could not keep off the cold; and she dared not go home, for she had sold no matches, and could not take home even a penny of money. Her father would certainly beat her; besides, it was almost as cold at home as here, for they had only the roof to cover them, through which the wind howled, although the largest holes had been stopped up with straw and rags. Her little hands were almost frozen with the cold. Ah! perhaps a burning match might be some good, if she could draw it from the bundle and strike it against the wall, just to warm her fingers. She drew one out—“scratch!” how it sputtered as it burnt! It gave a warm, bright light, like a little candle, as she held her hand over it. It was really a wonderful light. It seemed to the little girl that she was sitting by a large iron stove, with polished brass feet and a brass ornament. How the fire burned! and seemed so beautifully warm that the child stretched out her feet as if to warm them, when, lo! the flame of the match went out, the stove vanished, and she had only the remains of the half-burnt match in her hand.
She rubbed another match on the wall. It burst into a flame, and where its light fell upon the wall it became as transparent as a veil, and she could see into the room. The table was covered with a snowy white table-cloth, on which stood a splendid dinner service, and a steaming roast goose, stuffed with apples and dried plums. And what was still more wonderful, the goose jumped down from the dish and waddled across the floor, with a knife and fork in its breast, to the little girl. Then the match went out, and there remained nothing but the thick, damp, cold wall before her.
She lighted another match, and then she found herself sitting under a beautiful Christmas-tree. It was larger and more beautifully decorated than the one which she had seen through the glass door at the rich merchant’s. Thousands of tapers were burning upon the green branches, and colored pictures, like those she had seen in the show-windows, looked down upon it all. The little one stretched out her hand towards them, and the match went out.
The Christmas lights rose higher and higher, till they looked to her like the stars in the sky. Then she saw a star fall, leaving behind it a bright streak of fire. “Someone is dying,” thought the little girl, for her old grandmother, the only one who had ever loved her, and who was now dead, had told her that when a star falls, a soul was going up to God.
She again rubbed a match on the wall, and the light shone round her; in the brightness stood her old grandmother, clear and shining, yet mild and loving in her appearance. “Grandmother,” cried the little one, “O take me with you; I know you will go away when the match burns out; you will vanish like the warm stove, the roast goose, and the large, glorious Christmas-tree.” And she made haste to light the whole bundle of matches, for she wished to keep her grandmother there. And the matches glowed with a light that was brighter than the noon-day, and her grandmother had never appeared so large or so beautiful. She took the little girl in her arms, and they both flew upwards in brightness and joy far above the earth, where there was neither cold nor hunger nor pain, for they were with God.
In the dawn of morning there lay the poor little one, with pale cheeks and smiling mouth, leaning against the wall; she had been frozen to death on the last evening of the year; and the New-year’s sun rose and shone upon a little corpse! The child still sat, in the stiffness of death, holding the matches in her hand, one bundle of which was burnt. “She tried to warm herself,” said some. No one imagined what beautiful things she had seen, nor into what glory she had entered with her grandmother, on New-year’s day.


This is the fourth year I have created the Little Match Seller for the Christmas Season, although a tragic, and sad story, I feel it is relevant  and worthy of creating a special piece each year. She is for sale on my ebay now. Thank you friends for all your support! XOXO Christel

12 comments:

Burlap Luxe said...

Christel,
Yes you did it again, I knew just what you were talking about when you said you are featuring your match girl.
I love your work dearly, but out of all your pieces this one (match girl) is my favorite. She tugs at my heart and I just want to rescue her, taking her home to warm her by a cozy fire. Buy her slippers that fit, and plenty of hot cereal to fill up on.
She saddens me with her story, and for this reason I love her best. A perfect Christmas story of meeting ones needs verses wants.

Thank you my sweet soulful hearted friend for a heart wrenching story, and shareing match girl with us.
Lots of beauty to you that inspires your work.

Blessings
Xox
Doré

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Dearest Christel,
Although a heart wrenching story, I love that you create a new match girl every year... I always look forward to her.. Now I can't say which one is my favorite as they all have been so very special..
Thank you for introducing her, and I wish you the very best on her auction..
Love and blessings dear friend,
Penny

Kai said...

Your heart is even bigger and MORE beautiful than your talent, lil' Chris! I love this Match Girl. I love you EXTRA much!

Unknown said...

Dear Christel,
Your little match girls light glows long after the story is read.
This is a beautiful sculpture and beautiful subject.
As a child, I had two books. Hans Christian Andersen and Grimms Fairy Tales. They taught me much about compassion and life and I hope you get a lovely price for this precious piece and that she goes to a good home where the story can be repeated to children, grandchildren and so forth.

Christel said...

Thank you all so much. I think it is important to know how blessed we truly are.

nadiiaevans said...

Christel, I looked at your little doll and recognized the story before I the description. you are so good at presenting the realm of tale. Thanks for creating and sharing your beauties with the world.
Hugs.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning sweet Christel...these stories are classic because they speak of a condition that is always among us. The poverty of both body and soul is what Christmas was created for....to bring the gift of richness that can never be taken away. Your creation is GORGEOUS and I want to thank you for coming to comment. Many blessings to you with your family and loved ones! Anita

maddyrose said...

Good morning Christel,
The story of The Little Match Seller always made me sad when I read it as a young girl and the moment I saw the photo of your little match seller I felt that touch of sadness I felt when I read the story. Once again you've brought another story book character to "life" in one of your beautiful creations.
May you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. XOXOX

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Happy New Year Christel!
Love and blessings,
Penny

Ascension said...

Una gran historia para un fantastico personaje.
Es absolutamente preciosa!!!
besitos ascension

Norma Soulet (AZArtist) said...

HI Christel,

Happy New Year my Friend!
I have missed your lovely creations! Are you ok? Your Little Match Seller is Gorgeous!
Hope you post something New soon.

Lots of hugs

Sparky said...

Hi ..what a story and what a great design....always inspiring