Title: The Little Match Girl

Characters:

Little Match Girl, Old Grandfather, Passerby 1, Passerby 2, Father.

Scene 1: Cold Winter Night on the Street

(Lights up to show the little match girl sitting on the cold street corner. She is shivering in her thin dress and holding a bundle of matches.)

Little Match Girl: (whispering to herself) Just one more match. Maybe it will keep me warm for a while.

(Passerby 1 walks by and notices the little girl)

Passerby 1: Poor child, why are you sitting here all alone? Why aren't you at home with your family?

Little Match Girl: (shaking) We don't have a home. My father is very strict. If I come home without selling any matches, he will beat me.

(Passerby 2 walks by and looks at the girl)

Passerby 2: Look at those poor little feet! They must be freezing. Here, take my scarf and wrap it around your legs.

Little Match Girl: Thank you, sir. (tears in eyes) But if I take this, my father will be angry.

(Old grandfather walks by and sees the girl)

Old Grandfather: Come, little one. Let me take you to a warm place. You shouldn't be out in this cold.

Little Match Girl: (smiling faintly) I wish I could go with you, but I have to sell these matches first.

Scene 2: Lighting Matches

(Little Match Girl lights a match. A beautiful stove appears in front of her.)

Voice from Match Flame: You're safe now. Warmth surrounds you.

(Little Match Girl lights another match. This time, she sees a beautifully set table with delicious food.)

Voice from Match Flame: Enjoy the feast. You deserve to be happy.

(Little Match Girl lights a third match. Her grandmother appears, looking kind and loving.)

Grandmother: (gently) My dear child, come with me. I'll take you to a place where there's no hunger or pain.

(Little Match Girl lights the last match. Her grandmother disappears, and she finds herself back on the cold street.)

Scene 3: Morning Comes

(Father enters the stage, searching for the little match girl.)

Father: Where is she? She should have come home hours ago.

(People gather around the little match girl who has frozen to death. She holds the burnt matches in her hand.)

Passerby 1: Poor thing. She was probably too cold and hungry to make it through the night.

Passerby 2: At least she's at peace now, free from suffering.

Old Grandfather: (sadly) She saw something beautiful in her final moments. That's what kept her going.

(The lights fade as everyone leaves the scene, leaving the little match girl alone under the cold winter sky.)

End Scene.

This script captures the essence of Hans Christian Andersen's tale, presenting it in an accessible English format that retains its emotional depth and moral message.