A scarecrow is brought to life by an evil witch, Mother Rigby, who intends to use him to torment her enemy and win the affection of his daughter, Polly Gookin. Feathertop, portrayed as a handsome man, falls in love with Polly, but their relationship is shattered when a magic mirror reveals his true scarecrow form, causing Polly to faint. Devastated, Feathertop abandons his charade, realizing he is not meant to be human, and chooses to return to his life as a scarecrow.