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Sava has been crippled by an accident and has lived with a crutch for years. She used to be a talented dancer. Her two sisters come home with news of a dance contest in Novgorod sponsored by Prince Ivan. He loves to dance and wants a wife as a dance partner. The winner of the competition becomes his wife. Sava's sisters want Sava to teach them to dance so they could win. Sava tries to train her sisters but they lack ability. Sava is frustrated by them but meets a water bug, named Oder, who claims he can teach her to dance on water. Sava is warned by her friend, Tver the mink, that this could be a vicious trick. She might be in danger of being drowned by this strange water bug. Sava has to decide between taking a chance with Oder, and maybe dancing again, or remaining disabled.