The Little Tinder Girl

Amongst the swarming mass of people, one little girl stood out. She was only as high as the elbows of most of the occupants of the square, but her back was straight and her head held high. Her clothes were old and ragged and her short blonde hair hung loose in oily tangles. She was thin and hungry and dirty and tired. All she carried in her little hands was a small bundle of dried twigs; but anyone could see the determination in her stance and fire in her eyes.