Arnold and Gerald get stranded downtown in dressed as fruit after they decide to blow off a play they were meant to be in. Arnold accidentally destroys Eugene's bike, and tries his best to make it up to him.

Arnold discovers Helga's secret love poems. Arnold and Grandma set out to free an old tortoise from the city zoo.

Helga finds Arnold's lost hat, which she decides to commandeer for herself. Arnold makes friends with a bully and helps to overcome his fear of leaving the steps outside his house.

Helga tries to be more like a girl and gets a drastic makeover to gain her new look. Grandma is upset about the upcoming destruction of an old cinema, and so tries to stop the demolition of the old building.

Arnold and Gerald go on a date with some older women. Arnold goes to see the last game played by one of his heroes.

The city is hit by a heatwave, but it doesn't last long because things get cold enough to close the school for a day.