The story is about a fox named Mr. Fox. At night, he steals chickens, cider, and vegetables from three mean farmers (Bunce, Boggis, and Bean) in order to feed his family and all the underground families. The farmers are fed up with this, and try everything to kill him - even going to the lengths of using bulldozers to dig him out of his foxhole. One night they wait outside his house to kill him. When Mr. Fox comes out of the tunnel, they fire at him; the bullet hits his tail, severing it. They then try surrounding the hill he lives in with men armed with guns. After three days of starving, Mr. Fox and his children dig a tunnel to Boggis'' number one chicken house, and steal some chickens. They also raid Bunce''s storehouse and Bean''s underground cellar of apple cider. Along the way they meet Badger and other animals who are also starving due to the farmers'' siege of the hillside. Mr Fox, feeling responsible for the whole affair invites all the animals to a feast made from the loot and they all decide never to go above ground again. They decide to then make an underground town for only the animals.