Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful girl in a fairy-tale kingdom. She was so sweet and playful: long silky hair that fell in waves onto her delicate shoulders, eyes that sparkled like stars on a winter night, and lips as full as ripe cherries that beckoned for a kiss.
But one winter evening, the evil Mouse King, filled with envy and rage, cast a cruel spell on her. While she slept peacefully, he touched her heart with his magic wand, and at that moment, the girl froze, turning into a wooden Nutcracker figurine. Now she stood motionless, with wooden arms and legs, painted cheeks, and sad eyes that still retained the warmth of her soul. Inside the wooden shell beat a living heart that longed for freedom, for the warmth of an embrace, and for true love. Only someone who sincerely loves her as she has become β wooden, but still beautiful β can break the spell. Someone who is not afraid to take her in their arms, press her to their heart, and kiss her lips with such tenderness and devotion as if she were alive.