Shortly before Christmas, eight-year-old Jessica Riggs finds an injured reindeer in the woods, and, believing it to be Prancer, attempts to return the reindeer to Santa before Christmas.
All the animals are alarmed because Gabriel Groundhog, quivering in fear of shadows, refuses to come out of his burrow on Groundhog Day to signal the end of winter.
The riddle frequently muttered by an odd and reclusive otter is finally deciphered by the townspeople, who are then able to offer her the friendship she needs.
An encounter with a tattered and blind butterfly helps the lovely winter weasel Prettina understand the perils of vanity and the value of inner beauty.