The Hans Christian Andersen story tells how the orphan Karen's colour blind guardian buys her an inappropriate pair of red shoes for her church confirmation ceremony, but, when the mistake is discovered, forbids her to wear them. She disobeys and a crippled "old soldier" at the church door tells Karen they are dancing shoes.

Later, she wears them to a ball, and cannot stop dancing. She dances day and night...through forest and field...on and on and on...