A variety of European folk tales are retold in nine new stories. A woman bears a hedgehog-child who grows up to live alone in a castle until he does a king a favor and gets the princess's hand in return. A fearless young man sets out to learn to shudder. A soldier captures Death in a magic sack. A storyteller must spin tales to stay alive. An ogress keeps a princess locked away. A princess runs away from wedding her father and disguises herself as an ugly forest creature. A princess searches the earth for her stolen bridegroom. A princess must keep silent while she works to free her brothers from an evil spell. A young boy must overcome a heartless giant.

The number "3" features in every episode of the series: - Hans My Hedgehog - The Princess, after marrying the Grovelhog, learns he sheds his quills each night and she has to keep it a secret for 3 nights in order to break the curse. When she fails and he runs away, she searches the world and wears out 3 pairs of iron shoes in the process. - Fearnot - Fearnot comes from a family of 3 (father, brother and Fearnot) and was tricked by 3 bullies early in the story. It takes 3 encounters before he finally learns how to shudder (encountering the swamp creature, the half demon in the castle, and the thought of losing his sweetheart). - A Story Short - The Storyteller loses to the Beggar 3 times while playing Dice. He loses his money, his wife and his own self. - The Luck Child - Lucky survives 3 attempts on his life by the wicked king (thrown over a cliff, sent to the castle with a letter instructing the queen to kill him, and being sent to the Griffin's lair). - The Soldier and Death - The Soldier helps 3 beggars and is rewarded each time. He also captures 3 geese the first time he uses the Magic Sack. - The True Bride - The girl completes 3 tasks given to her by the troll (with the help of the Thought Lion). The Lion also gives her 3 walnuts with gifts hidden inside to barter with the Trollop. - The Three Ravens - After the Princess's 3 brothers are transformed into ravens, she has to keep silent for 3 years, 3 months and 3 days to break the curse. She also gives birth to 3 sons after marrying the Prince. - Sapsorrow - Youngest of 3 daughters, Sapsorrow commissions the making of 3 dresses to stall the arranged marriage with her Father. She then wears those 3 dresses on 3 different nights to woo the Prince. - The Heartless Giant - Youngest of 3 princes, Leo tries to find the Heartless Giant that he released. On the way, he helps 3 animals (bird, fish and wolf) who later aid him. When Leo tries to find where the Giant's heart is hidden, he finds out on the third try.

The Storyteller:
I am a teller of stories, a weaver of dreams. I can dance, sing, and in the right weather I can stand on my head. I know seven words of Latin, I have a little magic, and a trick or two. I know the proper way to meet a Dragon, I can fight dirty but not fair, I once swallowed thirty oysters in a minute. I am not domestic, I am a luxury, and in that sense, necessary.