In amazing Holland—one can cross it endlessly by canals in every direction—a small town called Brouke is preparing for competitions among young speed skaters. The winner will receive the cherished prize for everyone: silver skates. But most of all, the children of the poor Brinker families dream of them—Hans and Gretel—whose father ten years ago fell from a dam and became a cripple. Even though this dream seems unreachable, miracles always happen on the eve of Christmas—when the very air smells like magic…