Mari-Anne — The Story of the Toymaker of Tiefencastel

Synopsis

Ron Blaskett and Gerry Gee arrive in the Swiss mountain village of Tiefencastel where they plan to stay with the local toymaker, Fritz Hoffle. The Mayor of Tiefencastel, Herr Zeidler, arrives at the toyshop with his wife, Clara, and daughter, Mari-Anne, who has brought her doll Rosalinda to be repaired. The Mayor tells the toymaker that unless the doll is repaired by the next morning, he shall turn him out of his shop. Late that night, as Ron and Gerry are watching through the toyshop window, the toys come to life and Ron and Gerry find themselves transported to Toyland and the court of Old King Cole and Mrs Cole. The King takes them on a tour of Toyland where they meet The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, Jack and Jill, and the Toyland Cobbler who is repairing Rosalinda’s shoes. Panic sets in when Tom Tom the Piper’s Son steals the shoes. However, with Ron and Gerry’s help, he is soon caught. The toys work tirelessly through the night and by morning, they have repaired Rosalinda. When Ron and Gerry awake, they find themselves asleep in the snow outside the toyshop. The Mayor and his family arrive and are overjoyed to find the doll repaired. All is forgiven and the story of Fritz Hoffle passes into local legend.