"I can give her no greater power than she has already," said the woman; "don't you see how strong that is? How men and animals are obliged to serve her, and how well she has got through the world, barefooted as she is. She cannot receive any power from me greater than she now has, which consists in her own purity and innocence of heart. If she cannot herself obtain access to the Snow Queen, and remove the glass fragments from little Kay, we can do nothing to help her. Two miles from here the Snow Queen's garden begins; you can carry the little girl so far, and set her down by the large bush which stands in the snow, covered with red berries. Do not stay gossiping, but come back here as quickly as you can." Then the Finland woman lifted little Gerda upon the reindeer, and he ran away with her as quickly as he could."

Gerda is a brave and noble soul, a true hero. When her dearest friend, Kay, is taken away by the SnowQueen, she thinks of nothing but of saving him. She goes through a series of adventures, including almost being kidnapped herself, and makes many friends along the way. Her faith in herself, in her friends and finally, in Kay, and her love, keeps her going, no matter what happens to her.