A little boy is wondering why he is bullied by his classmate Peregrine Ffrogg. He asks himself various questions: "Is it because he misses his mum? Is it because he still sucks his thumb? Is it because he smells like a pike? Is it because he can"t ride a bike?" And the questions he asks leads him to a greater understanding of himself and the bully. He comes to the conclusion that Peregrine Ffrogg is unhappy, and jealous of him.