<P> The mice retreat and the nutcracker is transformed into a handsome Prince . He leads Clara through the moonlit night to a pine forest in which the snowflakes dance around them, beckoning them on to his kingdom as the first act ends . </P> <P> Scene 1: The Land of Sweets </P> <P> Clara and the Prince travel to the beautiful Land of Sweets, ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Prince's place until his return . He recounts for her how he had been saved from the Mouse King by Clara and transformed back into himself . </P> <P> In honor of the young heroine, a celebration of sweets from around the world is produced: chocolate from Spain, coffee from Arabia, tea from China, and candy canes from Russia all dance for their amusement; Danish shepherdesses perform on their flutes; Mother Ginger has her children, the Polichinelles, emerge from under her enormous hoop skirt to dance; a string of beautiful flowers perform a waltz . To conclude the night, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier perform a dance . </P>

Where does the story of the nutcracker take place