A wolf is trapped in a tree for wrongdoing, by the Great God Pan. He can only free himself by helping others. He waits for many years, then the tree is felled, and used to make new floorboards to refurbish a cottage in a wood. After which Wolf is able to come to life and help people. A young boy and his little sister, part of a family who rent the cottage, are first to see Wolf. His first helpful action is to save the little girl from danger. Later, he takes the boy on adventures to the past where they help a sweep boy; a herbalist and her daughter; a wood mouse and her family and an old lady who is ill. The story ends happily, with a very lucky find - and everyone lives happily ever after!