"Die Zauberlaterne is the tale of Sir Kunibert, who is goaded by his mother to leave their ill-kept old Castle Snagglestone and to set forth on adventures with his squire Schorse and his horse. He learns of a rich and beautiful princess, and after seeing a vision in a magic lantern (which foreshadows the rest of the story) he must accomplish three tasks to win her hand, the second of which involves searching for a magical shaving-set for her father".