John Upjohn finds a trail of footprints in the snow, leading away from the door of his house. But John Upjohn is the only person in his house. So, he decides to follow the footprints.

At the end of the 19th century, in a very remote village, a strange custom is observed by the children - on certain special days, they are allowed advance toward a banqueting table, and gorge themselves on delicious food, only they must never let go of the silken string they have been given to hold.