Linh:
Lan, I don’t know which book I should read now.  
Lan:
Do you like old stories? I have some on my bookshelf.  
Linh:
Of course. I like them so much! Let’s see what you have. The Little Match Girl, The Frog Prince, Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh and The Two Goats,.... That’s a lot.  
Lan:
Yes. I’ve read all of them.  
Linh:
Great! Which one do you like most?  
Lan:
The Little Match Girl is definitely my favourite.  
Linh:
Mine too. I want to know what you like about it. So answer some questions for me. Okay?  
Lan:
Sure.  
Linh:
What kind of story is it?  
Lan:
It’s a fairy tale.  
Linh:
Good answer. Who are the main characters in it?  
Lan:
The main character is the little girl who sells matches.  
Linh:
Of course. What’s the story about?  
Lan:
The author wrote about a poor dying child’s dreams and hopes.  
Linh:
Well, can you be more specific?  
Lan:
Well, no passersby bought the little girl’s matches on the cold New Year’s Eve. Wishing to avoid the cold welcome of her father at home, she lit the matches to warm herself. Then, she saw visions including a Christmas tree, a holiday feast and finally her dead grandmother brought her along to heaven.  
Linh:
How did the story end?  
Lan:
It doesn’t have a happy ending. She died of cold and hunger in the night.  
Linh:
You’re totally correct. How poor she was! The story makes the reader think twice about passing by someone in need without offering help.  
Lan:
That’s right. In my opinion, another aim of the story is to encourage people to hope for better.  
Linh:
I agree.