Princess Jana is ill and her brother, Prince Lander, disappears. A few years later, Tyltyl encounters an old fairy who tells him of a quest: unless the princess has the Blue Bird of Happiness, she will die on Christmas day. With a magic diamond, Tyltyl, his sister Mytyl, their dog, cat, and a guide, the five travel to the fairy realm to find the Blue Bird of Happiness. But they had to hurry, for they began their journey on Christmas Eve.