Adalbert Stifter's "Bunte Steine" collection, published in 1853, contains a preface that is programmatic for his literary concept, as well as six stories, including "Bergkristall" (Rock Crystal), the author's most popular work to this day. On Christmas Eve, a brother and sister get lost in a snowstorm in the high mountains but manage to escape into a cave. The inhabitants of two bitterly hostile mountain villages take part in the rescue operation and find each other again in light of the deadly danger to the children.