At the home of Doctor Jim Northrup's family, one of those quiet, small American towns, perhaps the nicest thing about the Northrup place is the cool, grassy yard, shaded by a gnarled old apple tree. Opposite the tree is a screen door leading to a comfortable living room where Granny Northrup usually does her knitting, while Gramps Northrup is usually tinkering at his basement work bench for 'Pud', his orphaned five year old grandson, doted on by his grandparents since he was left in their care. Then one day, Mr Brink, an agent of Death, arrives to take the elderly Gramps away, but through a little bit of trickery, Gramps manages to confine Mr Brink (and death) at the top of the old apple tree, giving him and Granny a little extra time to resolve some issues about little Pud's future.