Twelve-year-old Donnie takes the train to visit his grandparents on the farm at Eagle Pond, where Gramp milks the cows and entertains his grandson by speaking rhymed pieces; Donnie's eyes are drawn to an empty stall that houses a graceful, cobwebby sleigh that no one uses anymore, and when the gifts are exchanged and the remains of the Christmas feast put away, the air becomes heavy with fine snowflakes and everyone wonders, how will Donnie get back to his parents on time.
