Dame Dorothea Penny runs a small private school with only twelve students, filling her home to capacity. She owns a remarkable silver hen, which she keeps in a locked coop. One Saturday, she discovers the hen is missing despite having locked the coop the night before. Distressed, she informs her students, who are equally fond of the hen and wear her feathers as rewards. They are allowed to search for the hen, and after weeks of unsuccessful searching, they consult Dame Louisa, a neighbor known for her wisdom, who suggests they look in the White Woods. The children venture into the White Woods, a place known for its extreme cold and eerie beauty. As they search, they encounter a Snow Man who offers them shelter in his ice castle. Despite their initial fear, they follow him inside, where they are treated to a cold dinner and icy accommodations. Realizing they are trapped, the children devise a plan to escape. Meanwhile, panic ensues in the village as their parents search for them, eventually leading Dame Louisa to join Dame Penny in a rescue mission. Dame Louisa, initially resentful of the silver hen, confesses her jealousy and agrees to help. They gather water in tubs and pails to thaw the children, who are nearly frozen. As they flee the Snow Man, he pursues them, demanding his company back. In a moment of bravery, Dame Louisa threatens the Snow Man with a burning bonnet, causing him to halt. They successfully escape and return to the village just as Christmas dawns. Upon their return, they find the silver hen has reappeared, now with twelve silver chicks. In a spirit of generosity, Dame Penny and Dame Louisa decide to gift the children with the silver chicks and the revitalized Christmas trees, restoring joy to the village. The story concludes with a celebration of Christmas, highlighting themes of community, redemption, and the magic of the season.
By Mary E. Wilkins · First published 1905 · Genre: Children's Literature, Fantasy, Adventure