Mr. Ocax, a great horned owl, rules over the Dimwood Forest like a dictator. He particularly enjoys preying on the mice because he enjoys the terror he inspires in them. Ragweed and Poppy, both mice, venture onto Bannock Hill despite such an action being forbidden by Mr. Ocax. Poppy is timid and frightened while her boyfriend, Ragweed, encourages her to throw caution to the wind.

When he spots Ragweed in the clearing, Mr. Ocax swoops down, causing Ragweed to drop the hazelnut he was holding. Mr. Ocax kills Ragweed instantly. Poppy faints from fear but escapes. Mr. Ocax swallows the lifeless Ragweed’s body, including the earring the mouse wears on his ear, in one gulp and relishes the thought that the hunt for the mice has only just begun.

In a flashback, Poppy recalls how her parents have instilled fear and respect for Mr. Ocax into her and her siblings. According to Poppy’s father Lungwort, Mr. Ocax protects the mice from much worse dangers, like porcupines. In return for his protection, the mice must obey Mr. Ocax’s rules, which include confining themselves to their territory without straying further unless given permission.