When a horridible witch named Badjelly kidnaps their beloved cow Lucy, siblings Tim and Rose set out to rescue her, leaving their safe little village to enter the mysterious Dark Forest

Tim & Rose meet Binklebonk, a tree goblin living in fear of the Beast of the Backwoods. They agree to help, only to discover the "beast" is a mechanical lion whose joints are rusted stiff

The path to Mudwiggle's ferry leads the gang through the lair of the Unfungi.

The gang finally makes it to Mudwiggle's ferry only to discover the river is closed for Shark Thursday; they make a deal to pass by unharmed, which turns sour when a light splash sends the sharks into a frenzy.

The gang stumble into a mysterious grotto, only to be captured by Dinglemouse, a rodent who used to be a banana; when they help her defeat Dulboot, she joins them on their quest to find Badjelly.

A little birdy tells Badjelly that the kids are making their way through the foggy, froggy Fwomp Swamp, so she takes matters into her own magically conjured gigantic swamp hands, from the comfort of her castle.