Old Befana, a cranky old lady--or so think the children of the town--is always sweeping with her broom. One night a brilliant star appears in the sky, and Old Befana meets a procession of three kings on their way to Bethlehem.
A baker loses his daughter but gains a bakery in the grand city of Milano after meeting a determined nobleman, in a tale that explains the origin of the the name "panettone"--a traditional sweet bread of Italy.
Seeking someone to care for his motherless kittens, Sir Gatto, advisor to the Prince, hires a beautiful, but lazy girl, and then her plain, but loving stepsister.
Having missed her chance to see him on the first Christmas, old Befana travels around Italy each year searching for the Christ Child and leaving cookies and Christmas presents for the sleeping children.