OnacoldNewYear’sEve,apoorgirlsellingmatchesonthestreettakesshelterinanookandlightsthematchestowarmherself.Intheirlight,sheseesseverallovelyvisionsincludingaChristmastreeandaholidayfeast.Thegirllooksskyward,seesashootingstar,andrememberssuchstarsmeansomeoneisdying.Asshelightsherlastmatch,sheseesavisionofherdeceasedgrandmother,theonlypersontohavetreatedherwithloveandkindness.ThechilddiesandhergrandmothercarrieshersoultoHeaven.Thenextmorning,passers-byfindthedeadchildinthenook,withasmileonherface.