After confiding in her grandmother Ah-Ma about a racist remark made by a bully at school, Gertie comes to class and presents a family heirloom: an ancient Chinese Demon Mask. The mask is said to ward off evil, including the NIAN, a mythological beast believed to come down after sunset on the eve of the Lunar New Year to eat bad children. After school, Gertie's bully makes another racist remark and Gertie attempts to stand up to her attacker. Gertie dons the mask and discovers its protective powers just as the NIAN arrives.