The Brinker family is poor, but they love each other. Hans and his sister, Gretel, have to work hard. Sometimes, they can’t go to school. They have to help their mother earn money and take care of their sick father. Then Hans and Gretel hear about a special race. The winner will get a pair of silver skates! But how can Hans and Gretel join the race? They don’t have skates to race in.