Young John and Sue Peters move to the country with their father, and there they meet Worzel Gummidge - a scarecrow who can walk and talk. They soon discover that their straw companion has a very mischievous nature. When Worzel steals Mr Peters' new sports jacket, the children set off in a pursuit that has Worzel ending up on the local rubbish tip.

Worzel craves not only a home of his own, but furniture as well. And when large amounts of domestic articles begin to disappear from different houses in the village, the law becomes most interested.

Worzel visits a village fete, where he meets a forlorn Aunt Sally who fears she will be sold to tourists by her grumpy owner, Mr Shepherd. Worzel takes an immediate fancy to her and agrees to change clothes so that she might escape. Could it be the beginning of a romantic relationship for the scarecrow?