The girl Jorinde and the foundling Joringel grow up sheltered in a farmer's cottage behind the moor, but the dense forest around them harbors deep secrets. One day, a sorceress, omnipresent as an owl, juniper tree or in fairy form, takes the beautiful Jorinde away. Her mother, father and Joringel are left behind in sorrow. However, determined Joringel sets off in search of Jorinde. Although the enchantress tries to convince him that his search is in vain, he succeeds in finding his beloved in an enchanted castle. There she lives, enchanted, alongside many other beauties, unattainable for reality. But it is the special power of the love between the two that enables Joringel to recognize Jorinde, who has been transformed into a nightingale, among many other nightingales. The spell expires. But peace only returns when Joringel saves his family from marauders and defeats them in battle.