It's Christmas Eve at the orphanage and jolly Mr Friedman has gathered his beloved children around the blazing log fire for his traditional annual storytelling. The seven stories he tells are packed with adventure and magic: a world where whatever food you desire can be imagined into existence, a mystical race of Tree People, battles with a dragon and a dark panther, and a kidnapping in a labyrinth are all brought to life by the talented old man. Each character faces their own quest, and as the children listen they begin to recognise themselves in the tales and are transported on journeys of self-discovery to parallel dimensions. With each one comes a lesson and a hidden meaning, all brought together in the final tale, but perhaps the greatest mystery of all is: who is Mr Friedman's enigmatic butler?