Anya lives a happy, carefree life in Russia with her mother, father and beloved pet bird, Miaka. But when hard times come and her father's crop fails she must leave the farm to go and live with the baker and his wife in the local village. Life at the bakery is harsh but as long as she can earn enough to feed Miaka, Anya endures it. Then, one night, she overhears the baker make a terrible bargain that will devastate her life... A beautiful and haunting tale in the tradition of classic fairy tales.