Amid an indifferent crowd in the snowy streets of Saint Petersburg, an impoverished, humble little girl struggles to eke out a living by selling matches. Up against a relentless and mighty adversary, the poor seller reluctantly decides to warm herself by using her matches, and suddenly, clear and bright visions of a happy, carefree life start to envelop her. She sees a warm hearth. Then she sees a bountiful dinner table. Most comforting of all, there's her sweet, silver-haired grandmother.