On Christmas Eve, Zosia discovers a small door under the Christmas tree. As dusk falls, she hears a bell and quiet words.
It was Christmas Eve morning and a quiet snow was falling. Zosia was arranging gingerbread on a plate by the window. Dad was hanging lights on the tall Christmas tree. Mum was stirring borscht in a red pot. Purr walked in circles like a soft paintbrush. Zosia slipped under the branches for a fallen bauble. There, against the wall, she saw a very small door. They were wooden and had a gold star. They were small, about the size of a notebook.
Zosia whispered: "Mum, what is it?" Mum didn't look and said: "Probably an ornament." Zosia slowly touched the doorknob with her little finger. On the thread hung a note with the words: "Open after the first star". Zosia nodded and waited patiently. Outside the window it was darkening and the snow continued to fall. Purr sat down by the door and tuned his ears. Suddenly there came a quiet ringing, as if from a sleigh. Someone murmured behind the door: "Hello? Is anyone there?" The first star twinkled in the sky. The door handle vibrated and something began to move.