On Christmas Eve morning, Zosia opened the window wide. Snow was silently falling on the roofs and yards. The kitchen smelled of gingerbread and poppy seed cake. Dad was hanging lights on the Christmas tree by the window. Suddenly, all the bells on the street went silent. Zosia looked up anxiously. There was a small red envelope lying on the windowsill. It was tied with a silver string and a bell. Zosia untied the string and looked inside. Inside was a note from Father Christmas. She began to read it very quietly and carefully: Please help me, the sleigh bells have disappeared. I won’t be setting off today without them. Look for a trace in the glow of the first star. Take the lantern from the shed and don’t delay. The elf Florek will help you — he is already waiting for you. “Mum, can I go out for a while?” she asked. “Put on your hat and take your scarf,” she replied. Zosia ran to the shed to get an old lantern. Inside, someone wearing a green cap was waiting. He had long ears and shiny shoes. “I’m Florek — time’s up,” he whispered. Outside the door, the first star shone above the snowdrifts. The lantern lit itself and pointed down a dark trail. Zosia took a step when she heard a quiet crackling. Something moved in the snow right next to her...