The Scarecrow

Ms. Bee Bee explains the town of Grisham Heights and outlines Count Grisham's selfish, dance-obsessed rule over the people. She recalls that she once taught him to dance, but he chased her into hiding when he discovered she was a witch. She also introduces the workhouse mill, where orphans and debtors toil to buy their freedom with thirteen pieces of silver.

Polly is an orphan who has lived at the workhouse mill for most of her life, quietly saving silver coins to buy her freedom. She hides these coins at the foot of a scarecrow she tends, unaware that Ms. Bee Bee actually lives in the nearby house. Her loneliness is evident as she clings to the hope of escaping the mill someday.

Ms. Bee Bee breathes life into Polly's scarecrow using a magic feather, and a gloomy mouse named Max emerges from the scarecrow's pocket to talk. The scarecrow becomes a sentient companion rather than a mere decoration. This marks the beginning of a strange friendship in the village.

As the years pass, the Scarecrow falls in love with Polly. Ms. Bee Bee leaves the village, telling him she will miss him and teaching him how to dance so he can face life without her. He resolves to protect Polly and the children and to watch over her money.

Count Grisham makes his intentions clear and tries to lure Polly with a life of comfort, but Polly resists his charms. He sees the money Polly has saved and resolves to take it for himself. He sends Cheswick the workhouse overseer to track down the silver.

Cheswick follows Polly to the old garden and digs up her money after she leaves. Scarecrow suddenly reveals himself, terrifying Cheswick, who runs to Grisham's two thugs for help. The encounter sets the stage for the magical secret to be discovered.

In the old house, Polly's money is uncovered when Scarecrow finds a magic feather and a message from Ms. Bee Bee. The message reveals that wearing the feather will turn him human, but true life will only come when he is willing to sacrifice his own life for another. Scarecrow accepts the path to becoming Feathertop.

Scarecrow dons the feather and, posing as Feathertop, fools Grisham's thugs and travels to the town square. He meets Polly, teaches her how to dance, and they begin to fall in love. The town buzzes with rumors as Grisham plans to separate them.

On the night of the contest, Polly and Feathertop perform a romantic dance and win the prize, with Feathertop giving all the money to Polly. Grisham interrupts to demand Polly as his partner, but Polly and Feathertop remain devoted to each other. Their win solidifies their bond and secures Polly's freedom for the moment.

Grisham discovers Feathertop's true identity and ties Scarecrow up in the field to steal his feather, hoping to force Polly into marriage. Bristles the broom and Max the talking mouse intervene and remove the feather from Grisham, thwarting his plan just in time.

Polly refuses to marry Grisham, and the priest and Polly stand firm against the marriage. Wooden, Grisham's servant, warns Polly of danger and Bristles is sent to warn Feathertop. The couple's resolve hardens as Grisham's schemes grow more violent.

Polly and the children attempt to flee Grisham's town across a bridge over a gorge that Grisham had weakened. Feathertop arrives to hold the supports long enough for Polly and the children to cross. Grisham falls to his death as the bridge collapses, and Bristles and Max search the rubble for Feathertop, who is found alive.

Feathertop's feather falls from his hat as he climbs out, making him human permanently. Polly and Feathertop share a kiss, and the town is renamed Swingtown as the community cleans up Grisham's legacy. Ms. Bee Bee closes the tale by greeting the audience and bringing a girl broom to life for Bristles.