Three young orphans are left in the care of their only living relative - Zep, a crotchety but lovable old man who lives in an isolated, homespun cabin in the woods. Soon the children are fascinated with the wildlife and nature of their new wilderness home. However, their newfound family is endangered when the county welfare department decides to split them up into foster homes. Zep and the children decide to escape to the other side of the mountain, which leads them on a dramatic and uplifting adventure.