It was Christmas Eve and the snow was rustling against the windowsill and roof. Zosia was sticking gingerbread men, and the cat Pod was chasing a ribbon. On the dresser was a wooden calendar from her grandmother, with little windows. Only the window with the number 24 was left, glittering with a silver nail. - 'You'll open it after dinner,' Mum reminded her, winking at Zosia. There was the smell of cinnamon coming from the kitchen and the lights were flashing in the living room. Suddenly Zosia heard a quiet ringing, as if from under the floorboards. She pressed her ear to the calendar and opened the twenty-fourth window. Inside lay a tiny silver key, tied with red thread. Beneath it was a leaf: "Listen carefully. Go where the sound is." Zosia looked at Pod, and he perked his ears. The bell sounded longer, from the side of the stairs and a dark alcove. Under the steps was an old chest with a star-shaped lock hole. Zosia took the torch and set off, with Pod trotting alongside. The key fitted perfectly; the lock clicked, and a cool breeze blew in. The inside of the box was like a night snowdrift, full of swirling sparks. At the bottom, a small door could be seen, frosted and carved with stars. The bell now sounded clearly, as if from the other side of the wood. - Sophie... - whispered a soft voice, soft as the snow on her gloves. Zosia hesitated only a moment, but Pod jumped in first. The crate trembled, as if a horseless sleigh had passed beneath it. Zosia put her hand on the cold handle of the door and pressed. Something knocked three times from inside and the latch began to lift.