It was so terribly cold. Snow was falling, and it was almost dark. Christmas was coming soon and everybody was rushing to buy presents for the loved ones. In the cold and gloom a poor little girl named Sofia, bareheaded and barefoot, was walking through the streets. 

Velimir Jordanov, 1st A class, Bulgaria

Of course when she had left her house she'd had slippers on, but what good had they been? They were very big slippers, way too big for her, for they belonged to her mother. The little girl had lost them running across the road, where two carriages had rattled by terribly fast. 

The Little Match Girl was looking around but she couldn’t see the slippers. One slipper she'd not been able to find again. She saw a boy who managed to find the second slipper. The boy approached her and gently gave her slipper back. He offered Sofia to help her to find the missing slipper.

Zdravko Simeonov, 4th B class, Bulgaria

The two children spent a half an hour trying to find the slipper. Finally, the boy noticed the slipper right behind the carriage that had stopped nearby. Although Sofia was wearing her slipers again, she was getting colder and colder.

The boy felt sorry about the Little Match Girl and invited her to his house to get warm. He looked after her. The boy offered some tea to Sofia. He gave her one pair of warm boots that he hadn't been wearing for a long time. He invited Sofia to have dinner with him and his mother. The little girl told him that she couldn't stay for a long time at his place because she hadn't sold any matches. So the boy and his mother started to think what they could do in order to help the poor girl to earn some money. 

Damyan Borisov, 4th B class, Bulgaria

The boy’s mother suggested to make some cookies together. Then the boy and Sofia went out again. Although it was late evening, people were still walking in the street. The cookies smelled really nice so the passers-by stopped to buy a box of matches. The children gave them a cookie as a present. 

An hour later the boy had to go home and Sofia stayed alone again. She had some money, but it was still not enough. She was sad and it was getting colder and colder. So she burned the first match.

Suddenly, she saw a beautiful young woman with long wavy hair and a nice smile. She was walking slowly down the street in her elegant brown coat, brown boots and a colourful scarf around her neck.  She was smiling to everyone on her way.

Fabiana, 3rd A class, Italy

When the woman was passing by Sofia, she noticed the sad expression on the girl’s face. She stopped and asked Sofia why she was so sad. The girl told the young woman about her life.

The young woman said that her name was Mrs. Andersen. She told Sofia she was a teacher from a nearby school. Mrs. Andersen invited Sofia to her house to get warm. When they came inside, they went to the living room. There was a fireplace and it was so warm there.

Siria, 4th A class, Italy

Sofia was sitting in front of the fireplace and was enjoying the warm fire. She was hungry. Mrs. Andersen suggested that they could prepare dinner together. Sofia was happy that she could help her. She peeled the potatoes and cut some vegetables. Mrs. Andersen chopped and baked some meat. 

Fabiana, 3rd A class, Italy

After dinner the young woman offered Sofia that she could stay overnight at her place. The house had two floors and there were enough rooms for guests. Mrs. Andersen kissed Sofia’s forehead and wished her sweet dreams. For the first time, since her mother had died, the poor girl felt comfortable and had a good sleep.

Szkoła Podstawowa im. Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Runowie, Poland

In the morning as Sofia was coming downstairs, she saw a young boy with short fair hair, blue-green eyes and a roguish smile playing on the carpet. He was rather short and thin. He was wearing a light green shirt, dark green waistcoat and brown trousers. Sofia was wondering who he was.  

Szkoła Podstawowa im. Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Runowie, Poland

The young teacher introduced her son Noah to Sofia. She said that Noah spent the previous night at his friend’s house. The children played together for a while. Noah told Sofia about his classmates and the two children spent some time chatting about the school life. Noah said he was in the second grade and his favourite subject was Math.

Szkoła Podstawowa im. Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Runowie, Poland

After breakfast Mrs Andersen and her son had to go to school. The school lessons began. Noah was sitting in the classroom but he was not able to pay attention at studying at all. He was thinking only about Sofia. The weather was so cold. 

Szkoła Podstawowa im. Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Runowie, Poland

At the very same time, Sofia was in the street and she started selling the matches again. People were passing by and from time to time someone stopped and bought a box of matches from her but she still did not have enough money to return home. It was snowing and Sofia was getting cold again. So she burned the second match. But the match was so small that Sofia wasn’t able to warm herself.

Viktorie, III. B, Czech Republic

Noah continually thought of his new friend. He was sad because he knew that Sofia was alone outside and the day was cold and snowy. Suddenly a good idea came into his mind. He decided to ask for help all his classmates. He told them that if every child from the class buys a matchbox from Sofia, they would help the poor girl to earn some money for living and, of course, for the Christmas that was coming. Noah’s fellows agreed to help Sofia.

Nicole, 3rd ,Italy

Noah was happy. He thought that he could ask his mother to suggest to her colleagues, other teachers from the school, to buy matchboxes that Sofia had to sell. Teachers agreed eagerly, too.

When Noah and his mother went to see the girl, she was staring at a lit match between her fingers. As soon as Sofia saw them, she dropped the match and ran towards them.

Szkoła Podstawowa im. Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Runowie, Poland

She hugged Mrs. Andersen and felt a wonderful warmth melting her heart. Noah asked Sofia for the rest of the matchboxes and he paid them twice as much, because at school he doubled the price of each box. Sofia did not believe her eyes. Noah's mother said to Sofia that she was always welcome at her house, because now they were friends forever. A look full of deep gratitude joined the three friends. They were happy to have found the great treasure of a true and everlasting friendship.

Eliška K., III.B, Czech Republic

In the while, Sofia’s father, coming back from a very long journey, passed elegantly dressed. As soon as he saw her, he put down his suitcase, and ran to hug his daughter. Sofia was talking with her friends. When she saw her father, she ran to hug him. What a tender embrace! Warm love invaded their hearts and they felt deep and unspeakable happiness.

“A great Christmas present from Heaven!” thought Sofia.

Adam D., III.B, Czech Republic

Then the father opened his suitcase and pulled out of it: a sweater, a coat and warm boots. Sofia put on the clothes immediately. What a nice warmth! Both of them were crying with joy! The Little Match Girl no longer needed to sell matches. Noah and his mother were crying, too. Sofia's father thanked Noah and his mother and he promised to visit them as soon as possible together with his daughter.

Eliška H., III.B, Czech Republic

Then, tenderly embraced, they returned home with hearts full of joy and happiness thanking God. It was Christmas time, when miracles happen because Love is born.