Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Match Girl"

The Little Match Girl is a short story by Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen. The story, about a dying child's dreams and hope, was first published in 1845. It takes place on New Year's Eve and is considered a holiday tale. It has been adapted in various films. Below are a few versions, along with a translation of the tale.

Oscar Wilde's "The Happy Prince"

Oscar Wilde's "The Happy Prince" may perhaps be my favorite short story for children. I was first introduced to it in elementary school, where it was shown to us on film every year, and even as a child I would be moved to tears and inspired by it.

It tells the story of a beautiful statue of a prince standing on a high pedestal. He is covered head to toe in gold leaf and for his all seeing eyes he has two beautiful saphires. All is not well with the Happy Prince, for he stands over a city that is steeped in abject poverty and here he is trapped on his pedestal unable to help the very people whom he loves with all his heart. Until along flies a swallow bound for the lands of Egypt for the winter and the swallow remains behind to help