Few, a few, little, a little

A few is more than few.

few + plural countable noun
few = almost none

few people, few books, few letters

A few is a positive idea.

Fortunately, our financial situation is good: we still have a few good customers.

Few is a negative idea.
We can also use very few.

I'm very sad: I have few good friends.
I'm very sad: I have very few good friends.
(Both these sentences mean I don't have many good friends - I would like to have more.)

Few has irregular comparative and superlative forms.

few - fewer - the fewest
a few - more - the most

A little is more than little.

little + uncountable noun
little = nearly none, nearly nothing

little time, little food, little money

a little + unountable noun
a little = some but not much

a little time, a little food, a little money

Little is a negative idea.
We can also use very little.

I can't help you. I speak little English.
I can't help you. I speak very little English.
(Both these sentences mean My English is bad - I would like to know English better.)

Little has irregular comparative and superlative forms.

little - less - the least
a little - more - the most

A little is a positive idea.

Compare:
I can help you: I speak a little English.
I'm sorry I can't help you: I speak very little English.