Pinmei lives with her grandmother, Amah, in a remote mountain village. Amah is a revered storyteller and embroidery expert. Pinmei is shy and hides when visitors come, except for Yishan, a boy who lives nearby. This winter is unusually harsh, and Pinmei worries about the Black Tortoise of Winter, whose presence controls the season. The villagers, worried about the new Tiger Emperor, come to Amah for guidance. The Tiger Emperor has taken all the men from the mountain villages to build a “Vast Wall” and has demanded a “Luminous Stone That Lights the Night” in exchange for their return (8). Amah denies knowing anything about the stone, disappointing the villagers.

Pinmei notices that their rice supply is dwindling and accidentally uses a special bowl, blue with a white rabbit painted on it, for dinner. When Pinmei expresses her wish to see the mountain spirit, Amah reassures her that the spirit appears in many forms, including the moon. Pinmei is worried about her shyness, and Amah comforts her. Pinmei worries about the winter’s severity. Amah says that the Black Tortoise of Winter will eventually leave, but he is too powerful for anyone to force him away.