Monsieur Racine wakes up one day to find his precious pear tree looted of all the award‐winning fruit. When he discovers that the culprit is a funny‐looking beast, his anger gives way to curiosity and two become friends. But the beast is not quite what it seems, eventually it comes apart&;literally to show itself to be no beast at all, but the two playful children from next door, covered with skins and rags.