Alfie likes to laugh. He particularly likes making practical jokes - often rather nasty ones and delights in the misfortune of others. One day, he welcomes the chance of going to town with his grandfather, when, initially, his expectation of having many occasions to exercise his developed sense of schadenfreude is fulfilled. Things take a different turn when Grandpa invites Alfie to a circus. Alfie's comeuppance is inevitable, and when it eventually happens - truly glorious.