The play stages a single-day episode in a small-town classroom, following a stern teacher who struggles to maintain order among an assortment of eager, distracted and comically literal children. Through roll call, geography and general information lessons the pupils supply absurd answers, malapropisms and fanciful reasoning, prompting pantomime and exasperated reactions. Humor arises from misunderstandings, regional speech and childlike curiosity, while stage directions emphasize physical comedy. A subplot about a needy family and an upcoming holiday frames a call for communal charity.