The Magic Riddle 1991

Cindy's life of servitude

Cindy is forced to do all of the housework by her widowed stepmother and her two stepsisters, Bertha and Ertha. The widow keeps Cindy endlessly busy to prevent her from finding Grandfather's will, which would pass the inheritance to Cindy. Phillippe, though smitten with Cindy, is kept in the dark by the widow's schemes.

Grandmother's secret visit

One night, an old lady sneaks into the house to finish Cindy's chores for her. She reveals herself to be Cindy's Grandmother, who was kicked out by the widow after Grandfather's death. Ertha witnesses the moment and the Grandmother warns of the widow's dangerous plans.

Widow traps Grandmother in the woods

Fearing Grandmother's help in finding the will, the widow disguises herself as a traveling salesman and lures Grandmother toward the Castle of a Hundred Doors, a place with no escape. The widow intends to keep Grandmother from guiding Cindy to the will. The encounter sets the stage for Cindy's further trials.

Cindy is chased away from Grandmother's cottage

Cindy arrives at Grandmother's cottage too late and is chased away by a wolf figure, which is actually the widow in disguise. The frightening encounter confirms that the widow is actively thwarting Cindy's search for the will. Ertha's earlier warnings begin to feel tragically real.

Lakeside confession and Phillippe's token

Cindy sits by a lake and confides her hopes to an ugly duckling, unaware that Phillippe is listening nearby. Phillippe reveals himself and gives her a ring as a token of his affection. Their moment is interrupted when the widow orders Cindy back to her chores.

Discovery of the wolf disguise

In the barn, Cindy discovers the widow's wolf costume and realizes the extent of the deception she faces. Bertha's jealousy surfaces as she blames Cindy for pigs escaping the farm, highlighting the petty rivalries in the household. Ertha urges Cindy to escape toward Grandmother's cottage for safety.

Escape toward Grandmother's cottage

Heeding Ertha's advice, Cindy runs toward Grandmother's cottage to seek safety and help. The escape marks a pivot point in her journey as she leaves the widow's house behind. Along the way, she clings to hope that the Grandmother's old magical alliances might still help her.

Dwarfs and Pinocchio awaken

At Grandmother's cottage, Cindy discovers seven wooden dwarfs and a wooden Pinocchio. When she kisses them, they come alive and explain that the widow has taken Grandmother away. The magical helpers pledge to aid Cindy in her quest for the will.

Masked ball scheme

The widow plans to lure Cindy back by hosting a masked ball. The dwarfs create a disguise for Cindy, but they warn that her snow mask will melt at midnight, adding urgency to the rescue mission. The event promises Cindy a chance to see Phillippe again.

Midnight escape from the ball

At the ball, Cindy's disguise works and she gets to dance with Phillippe. Ertha and Pinocchio also dance, but when the clock strikes twelve, Cindy's mask melts and she must flee, with her friends in pursuit.

Return to the Castle and the trail out

The pursuit leads toward the Castle of a Hundred Doors as Phillippe and the dwarfs join the growing search. The widow's tricks lead them toward a larger maze of danger, but Grandmother remains the beacon they follow. The group gathers and resolves to return to the cottage together.

Widow's cottage transformation and the sleep spell

The widow returns to the cottage in a new disguise as Pinocchio's mother and hypnotizes Cindy with a magic apple to fall asleep. In the confusion, the widow accidentally falls into a well, creating an opening for the others to regroup. Pinocchio then joins the others in the continuing quest.

The will revealed and the morning reunion

Grandmother is found, and the group follows the trail back to the cottage. Cindy awakens to a kiss from Phillippe, and Grandmother explains the will's true home. The riddle reveals that the will resides inside Pinocchio's nose, confirming Cindy's rightful inheritance.