In a small town in Germany, the local storyteller Fritz begins a share a tale about the Prince and Princess, their only child, and a master clock maker named Dr. Kalmenius. Partway through the story, Dr. Kalmenius himself arrives; he is so terrifying that everyone leaves except Karl, an apprentice clock maker, who is distraught because he will fail his final task as an apprentice. When Karl accepts a mechanical gift from Dr. Kalmenius, it sets of a chain of events involving himself, Fritz, Gretl, and a young clockwork boy.

A fantasy / spooky story for young readers (grades 2-5).