Fisherman’s son Benjamin - Bennie - Stout is a boy with a heart of gold who always gets himself into trouble. His St. Nicholas wish list includes a pedal car, just like the one the sneaky mayor’s son Roderick has. These are the depression years in the 1930s and because the haul falls short, his father stays in Spain a little longer to earn some extra money. Bennie now only has one wish left: that his father will come home. If need be, he will go and get him from Spain himself. He catches Roderick erasing his name from the Bad Children list in St. Nicholas’ Great Book when an idea occurs to him. He quickly adds his name to the list, which lands him a place in St. Nicholas’ bag. But the saint does not understand that Bennie doesn’t mind going to Spain.

During his holiday, ten-year-old Joshua saunters around by the IJsselmeer and meets the tough boy Mick, who is a little older. The latter only wants to become friends if Joshua climbs the forbidden lighthouse. But Joshua lacks the courage. When a third boy arrives, they fool him into believing that Joshua did stand the test. So now it is the newcomer's turn. But then something terrible happens and Joshua does not dare tell his parents.

Arrogant Ralf Kwist is the richest man in a town where candy is the main commodity. He owns the candy factory, all the shops, and has the mayor on his side. On top of that, Ralf neglects his wife. But Old Olle and his friends resist Ralf's attempts to take possession of the last piece of land he does not own. When the situation becomes dire, the question is whether they can win.