The story begins in an isolated sanctuary known as the land of the Society for the Removal of Superfluous Children, where young runaways Sylvia and Joe chafe under strict rules. Fuelled by mischief, Joe leads Sylvia on an unauthorized escapade into the forbidden forest to visit the Snergs, a race of sturdy, broad-shouldered folk slightly taller than a table. Their journey plunges them into a series of astonishing dangers, including an encounter with a reformed ogre named Golithos in a gloomy tower beyond a deep river. Along the way they are joined by eccentric companions like Baldry, a banished royal jester, and Gorbo, a well-meaning but foolish Snerg.
The children are eventually captured by the forces of the benevolent yet imposing King Kul, whose realm introduces them to grand palaces and unexpected courtly hospitality. However, danger catches up with them when the wicked witch Mother Meldrum and Golithos plot their capture, forcing a dramatic rescue mission led by King Merse and the legendary mariner Vanderdecken. Through a chaotic clash involving magic swords, mysterious hidden doors, and military precision, the villains are vanquished and order is restored. The narrative concludes with a joyous return to Watkyns Bay, where the children settle back into their structured lives, richer in experience and full of incredible tales.
