Kurumiwari Ningyou

Clara visits her Aunt Gerda and Uncle Drosselmeyer, who tells her unsettling tales about the Ragman, a sinister figure said to transform children into mice if they stay up past bedtime. The Ragman is described as a lurking presence, watching over sleeping children for potential victims. Before bed, Clara's uncle gifts her a wooden nutcracker doll, though he is self-conscious about its only flawless feature being the heart. Clara is fond of the doll and goes to sleep, only to be startled awake by the sound of squeaking mice.