As their father is sick, Hans Brinker and his younger sister Gretel must
work to support their family. Despite this life of poverty, they long to
take part in the annual ice-skating races on the frozen canal, where the
victors win magnificent silver skates. But how can they hope to enter
the races - let alone win - when their skates are wooden and home-made?
After meeting the famous surgeon Dr Boekman, and hearing that he might
be able to cure their father, Hans doesn't hesitate in offering to pay
for the necessary operation, although he has been saving up all his
money to buy two pairs of swift steel skates. As the big day looms, can
the children enter their respective races and win the longed-for prize?
"They are going to give a splendid prize to the best skater."
"Yes," chimed in half a dozen voices, "a beautiful pair of silver
skates - perfectly magnificent - with, oh! such straps and silver bells
and buckles!"