Gerda and Kay have lived next door to each other since they were tiny. They have grown up together like siblings, their bond is strong and they love each other dearly. The window-box garden between their houses has become their playroom and they share many wonderful memories together.
In the story, an evil troll creates a mirror that reflects only the horrors of the world. The mirror shatters and shards of it fall to Earth. The glass lands in people’s eyes and hearts, turning them cold and cruel. When a shard of the mirror lands in Kay’s eye, the children’s carefree joy is brought to a halt. Kay is unkind to Gerda and his family, and he destroys their beautiful window-box garden.
