Duncan, a young man who disbelieves in fairy tales, finds himself thrust into one when he flees his father's farm and takes a job with an enigmatic old woman. He is tasked with tending a poisonous garden, caring for a white horse, and avoiding a mysterious closet, but these are merely the initial challenges in a world filled with fantastical troubles. The narrative draws heavily from the French-Canadian folk tales "Scurvyhead" and "Sir Goldenhair," reinterpreting and expanding upon their original elements.

The premise suggests a story that plays with traditional fairy tale structures, offering a blend of familiar elements and unique embellishments. The retelling of "Scurvyhead" and "Sir Goldenhair" indicates a focus on folklore and the evolution of narrative. The protagonist's initial disbelief sets up a potential character arc exploring themes of faith and the nature of reality within a magical context. The inclusion of specific, potentially sinister tasks and a forbidden area hints at a plot driven by mystery and escalating stakes.