Christmas is approaching... By the river, in the winter fog, a woman huddles. She is a merchant from a nearby shop. She would give her right arm for a penny, so even the frost cannot dampen her joy at her Christmas catch. The carp will be fresh and, best of all, free! But the greedy merchant isn't satisfied. She plunges her net into the water again. "Let me go, good woman..." a gentle voice suddenly calls out from the river. The merchant can't believe her eyes—a magical mermaid has been caught in her nets!