Forage has been stolen again and again from the stables of the squire Maximilian. As his guards are not able to find out who is the thief, it is supposed that a witch is responsible for the thievery - one who is able to take the shape of different creatures for camouflage. And indeed, one day the ragged wench Mathilda is found in the stable as she tries to get some carrots. The bedraggled wench gets arrested...