This is the tale of a brother and sister who get lost in the forest while out picking berries. While sleeping they are awoken by an old hag who takes them to her lair where they are used as forced labour. But as Tom becomes increasingly homesick and plots his escape, he finds sister Jenny is more reluctant to leave - she's become very fond of the hag's baby ("Bumpy" on account of his little horns) which she has to care for.

There are various themes from Russian fairytales: the animals which help the children after being kindly treated; the threat of being eaten by the witch's family. But Bumpy himself is Luts own creation.

"For a couple of minutes the only sound to be heard from behind the sheet is the smacking of lips. Then the tiny hairy hand gives the bottle back to Jenny over the side of the cradle.