The story follows the Trippertrot children—Mary, Tommy, and Johnny—who find themselves in a firehouse after a fireman captain sets them on a table. They are curious about the firemen and their duties, especially when the fire bell rings, prompting the firemen and horses to rush to a fire. The children decide to stay in the firehouse to thank the fireman who had earlier put out a chimney fire at their home. While waiting, they explore the shiny objects in the firehouse. The fireman returns briefly but must leave for another fire. Before he departs, he asks a funny-looking boy named Jiggily Jig to escort the children home. Jiggily Jig, known for his antics and cheerful demeanor, agrees to help. He entertains the children with a dance, a loud whistle, and by standing on his head, which delays their journey home. As they walk, Jiggily Jig's antics attract dogs and crowds, further slowing their progress. Mary becomes anxious about getting home, fearing their mother will worry. Jiggily Jig assures them they are close, but they still can't find their house. They encounter a pieman pushing a cart of pies, accompanied by Simple Simon, a character from Mother Goose's rhymes. Jiggily Jig and Simple Simon engage in a somersault contest, leaving the Trippertrots behind. Mary fears they are lost, but the pieman offers to help them find their way home.
By Howard R. Garis · First published 1917 · Genre: Children's Literature, Humorous Fiction, Fantasy