Hutterites are known for their natural medicines and living in Bruderhofs. Michael Bruhn, his sister Gudryn, and their widowed mother live in a castle in Moravia. When a doctor wearing ragged clothing heals Gudryn, Michael thinks he, too, must be a Hutterite. Later, Michael learns that this doctor in rags is the famous physican Paracelsus. Michael is impressed and begins to plan when he can also be a doctor. Then tragedy strikes. For 9-to-14-year-olds.