It was Christmas Eve evening in a warm, bright house. The kitchen smelled of gingerbread and red borscht. Hania was counting the lights on the tall Christmas tree. Fluffy the cat was circling under the table like a guard. Dad was mending the golden star on the top. Outside the window, soft, quiet snow was falling. Something shone among the twigs, right next to a bauble. Hania found a small silver key on a ribbon. Next to the key hung a note with writing on it. It read: Open when the first bell sounds. “Mum, who’s it from?” asked Hania. “I don’t know, honey,” said Mum, puzzled. Fluffy nudged the skirting board near the floor with his paw. Behind the table was a small, hidden door. A tiny keyhole glittered in it. The clock in the hall began to count down a quiet moment. Hania squeezed the key in her warm hand. Ding! The first bell in the house rang. Silence fell — even Fluffy stopped purring. The little girl knelt by the door and whispered, “Hello? Is someone out there waiting for us?” She slid the key into the lock very slowly. On the other side, someone knocked three times.