Natalia always thought she knew her city like the back of her hand. After all, she had lived here since she was born! This winter, however, everything was different. Snow fell almost every day, and a thick white fog drifted over the roofs of the houses. One afternoon, as she was walking home from school through a deserted park, she noticed something unusual. Behind a tall hedge, where lilac used to grow, a gate made of ice appeared. It sparkled in the light of the setting sun like diamonds from a fairy tale. Natalia first felt immense curiosity, then fear, and finally.... incredible excitement. Who had put the gate here? What was on the other side? She peeked through the ice bars and saw a garden like she had never seen. The trees looked as if someone had gouged them out of pure crystal, and their branches were overgrown with leaves of the colours of the rainbow. In the air, swirling snowflakes were arranged in the shapes of faces that winked cheerfully at her. Suddenly she heard a voice: - Hey, you there! Do you want to play? Behind her back was a boy in a red cap she hadn't seen before. He had a wide smile and eyes full of mischievous sparks. "I'm Leon," he introduced himself. "I've seen this garden too.... and I think I know how to get into it." Natalia felt her heart begin to beat faster. Joy mixed with fear, and thoughts rushed like a merry-go-round. Should they go in there? What if they can't get back in? Leon approached the gate and carefully touched the ice key that suddenly appeared in his hand. There was a deafening sound somewhere in the distance and the whole area became quiet for a moment. The gate began to open slowly, creaking and crunching like old chests full of treasure. - Ready? - Leon looked at Natalia impatiently. Natalia took a deep breath. A thousand emotions were swirling in her head: a little fear, a little joy and a great, great curiosity.... At the same moment, there was a loud laugh outside the gate and the trees started whispering her name. She took the first step, and the snow under her boots sang an icy melody. She and Leon entered the garden, and the gate slammed behind them with an echo that vibrated in the air for a long time.... What awaited them inside? That's what Natalia didn't know yet.