1. ‘Little’ means ‘hardly any’
There is little hope of his recovery. (Incorrect)
There is a little hope of his recovery. (correct)

2. ‘A little’ means ‘some’, though not much.
Little knowledge is a dangerous thing. (Incorrect)
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. (Correct)

3. ‘The little means ‘not much but all there is’.
Little water that is in the bottle may be used for the child. (Incorrect)
The little water that is in the bottle may be used for the patient. (Correct)