In order to feed his family, Mr Fox steals chickens, ducks, turkeys, and cider each night from three mean and wealthy farmers: Boggis, Bunce and Bean. The farmers are fed up with Mr Fox's theft and try to kill him. One night, the farmers wait outside Mr Fox's foxhole in an attempt to ambush him. When Mr Fox emerges from his home, the farmers fire at him. However, the farmers only succeed in blowing off Mr Fox's tail

Farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean are the nastiest crooks in the valley, and they've concocted a cunning plan to dig him out of his hole once and for all. But it never occurs to them that Mr Fox has a fantastic plan of his own.

After three days of starving, Mr Fox comes up with a plan. He and his children dig a tunnel into the farmers' storehouses. There, they steal some chickens, ducks, geese and vegetables as well as Bean's underground cellar of cider. Meanwhile, Boggis, Bunce and Bean keep guard on the tunnel entrance in pouring rain, unaware that Mr Fox and his friends are stealing their food right under their noses.

The book ends with the indication the three will be waiting forever.